Minto Country Music Wall of Fame

John was born and raised in Minto, where he started playing guitar and later bass during his high school years in the late 60's. A fellow classmate, Al Dupuis, taught John some of his first chords on guitar, and his first high school band included Al Dupuis, Jerry Smith and Johnny Madore. A subsequent band "Virgin Wool” included Al as well as David Nightingale, Peter Doering, Paul DuJohn and David Melanson. The band frequently played dances in the Chipman, Minto and Fredericton area, and it was in this band that John started playing bass.

After graduating from Minto Memorial High in 1970, John went on to further his education at UNB where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1975. He remained very involved in music during his university years, and was a member of the popular Fredericton-based band "Nasonworth" which occasionally opened for more established acts at Fredericton's Playhouse, and performed at club and college gigs throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Quebec Gaspe Peninsula.

After university, John remained in music and teamed up with his old friend Dave Nightingale for a few years in the popular Fredericton band "Rock Revival". From 1979-1987 John was involved in the band "5 Wheel Drive", which later came to be known as "Cadillac Jack". That band also included another former Mintonian, Wayne Nightingale, a member of the popular Diamond Trio. They played throughout New Brunswick, including festivities during the Governor General's visit to the province. From 1987 to 1998 John was involved with the bands "Brickhill” and "Reckless” which included Barry Francis.

John currently resides near Fredericton with his wife Ann and two sons, Scott and Michael, and is currently playing in the band "Full Circle" as well as the acoustic trio "The Stringers" which again includes Dave Nightingale on guitar and Jacqueline Vaillancourt on vocals. He regularly participates at charity events, and over the last year has performed at fund raisers for Samaria House, the Alzheimer's Society, and was part of this year's house band at the “Hearts for the Homeless” benefit at the Fredericton Playhouse.

John's musical influences are diverse and include rock, country, R&B, soul, funk and blues. "I enjoy most types of music, especially live music. I enjoy playing live as much today as when I started playing bass 40 years ago, and I'm always learning."

As quoted by Al Dupuis:

"One of John's biggest assets to a band is his ability to adapt to any style of music. It's his flexibility, along with a great personality and sense of humor that makes him so valuable. He has a positive influence on all who come in contact with him. This, in itself, is a rare quality. He's a very special man and we've all been blessed to have played music with him".