Born and raised in Tomah, WI, John started out playing bass in 1973 filling in for and eventually replacing his dad's regular bass player. Went jammin'one Sunday and heard the most incredible thing ever! It was local Arden Cook playing a pedal steel guitar. Ruint his life for good, he was hooked! His dad bought him one in '74, and disbanded the band he was in to form the family band "Midwest Echoes". John taught his mom to play Bass, sis' Cari sang, dad sang and played rythym, and John played steel. After a couple years, John joined a local band called "The Cool Water Road Show". Life as a musician wasn't over for John though, while stationed in Turkey '86-'90, was in the "Beyaname Band", and "Westward Bound", both local military show bands. Back to the States to Alabama, out of the music scene for a couple of years, until his 6 years was up for the Air Force, John then moved his family (of 4 now) back to Wisconsin, got a good gravy house-band gig with one of the members of the "Silver Steed " band in "The Country Corners Band". John got a computer help desk job as a civilian at the Air Force base back in Alabama in '93, and joined the local favorite Motgomery band "Silver Eagle"; another gravy house-band gig. As luck would have it, in '96, John was offered a job in Omaha, Nebraska as a computer consultant. After a few times playing out at the "Red Barn Opry" (where he met current TCLB guitarist Keith Wilson). Joined up with Roger Keaton (Red Barn Alumnist) & the Lincoln-based "Rawide" band. When Rawhide disbanded New Years of 2000, John met Keith Anderson (former TCLB guitarist) through steeler Bill Plemmons (2 more "Barn" alumni), and it just so happened that this band was looking for another steel guitarist. 
Place of Birth: Tomah, WI Family: Married, 5 girls, 1 boy Favorite Song: Steelin' Corn Favorite Artist: Keith Wilson (The City Limit Band Guitarist), then Tommy White (Grand Ole Opry Steel Guitarist). Famous Artists Worked With: Ray Price(f), Gene Watson(f), George Jones & Tammy Wynette(f), Bellamy Brothers(f), John Anderson(f), Moe Bandy & Joe Stamply(f), The Kendalls(f), Billy Jo Spears(f), Jerry Jeff Walker(f), Billy (Crash) Craddock(f), John Conlee(f), Justin Tubb(b), Robyn Young(Faron's son)(b), Ronnie Robbins(Marty's son)(b), Ernie Ashworth(b) and others he can't think of right now... note: (f)=fronted the show, (b)=in the backup band. Hobbies: 5 girls, 1 boy! 
Continuing with that gig, finishing high school in '78, and finishing tech school in '80 to fix TV's for a living, joined the local favorites "The Night Train Band". John didn't last long as a TV repairman, went on the road with that band in '81. "Silver Steed" came on the scene as 3 of the NTB members banded together with 2 other Madison based musicians in '83. John got married to his gorgeous wife, Denise, in '86, and joined the Air Force to properly support his new family.
So he loaded up the truck, and moved to...
John says, "So now I'm pickin' in Lincoln's "real" favorite Country band!"
