John Lilly Blog

John Lilly On Mountain Stage

medicinemusic — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:49:33 +0100

Listen Now: John Lilly in Concert http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100331568 John Lilly is known as a singer, songwriter, folklorist and historian. Set List "Good News/Bad News" "This Old Knife" "W" "In Time" "Friday, Sunday's Coming" John Lilly On Mountain Stage NPR.org, February 6, 2009 - Singer-songwriter John Lilly brings a steady sense of humor and a serious knack for courntry-tinged melody to his Mountain Stage performance, recorded in March 2008. Lilly has developed his reputation not only as a performer and songwriter but also as a folklorist, historian and interpreter of music by Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers. He is also the editor of the West Virginia traditional arts and culture magazine Goldenseal. Lilly begins the set solo, vintage acoustic guitar in hand, before joining the Mountain Stage house band for a couple of tunes from his latest album, Haunted Honky Tonk. Though many of his songs capture the charming side of country living, Lilly also makes a foray into then-current politics with "W." Lilly's own Easter song, "Friday, Sunday's Coming," has a gospel groove accentuated by solos from Bob Thompson on organ and Michael Lipton on electric guitar.

More glowing reviews for Haunted Honky-Tonk

medicinemusic — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:03:12 +0100

"These songs, and Lilly's traditional approach, are what is missing in country music today"......John Walker Americana Roots

"It is difficult to conceive of another album which offers such profound authenticity and depth of feeling".......Kai Roberts Americana UK

John Lilly Mountain Stage performance

medicinemusic — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:45:45 +0100

My Mountain Stage performance is now on-line at http://www.mountainstage.org/mtnstagepodcast.aspx I'm the third act in the show and also sing on the finale. Catch me on the hip live radio show Mountain Stage next week. Taped last March in Beckley, WV, the show features live performances by moi (five songs -- three solo, two w/ the very cool Mountain Stage Band), Larry Sparks, Blue Highway, Tony Furtado, and Carrie Newcomer. The show ships to 120 radio stations worldwide this Friday the 13th, and will air locally in these markets over the following week. To find a station near you that carries Mountain Stage, click on [url]http://www. mountainstage.org/mtnstagedynamic.aspx?id=888[/url] The show will be available on-line for download in about two weeks at www. mountainstage. org Thanks for listening! John Lilly Medicine Music are proud publicists for John Lilly Click logo for more info

Johh Lilly heading for The Folk Alliance

medicinemusic — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:55:43 +0100

John Lilly starts a full gig list in support og his aclaimed Haunted Honky-Tonk album with 4 days at The Folk Alliance in Menphis 31 Jan 2008 19:30 Hayti Heritage Center Durham, North Carolina 1 Feb 2008 20:00 Blessings Winston-Salem, North Carolina 2 Feb 2008 20:00 Stringbean Coffee Shop Galax, Virginia 20 Feb 2008 20:00 Folk Alliance Conference Memphis, Tennessee 21 Feb 2008 20:00 Folk Alliance Conference Memphis, Tennessee 22 Feb 2008 20:00 Folk Alliance Conference Memphis, Tennessee 23 Feb 2008 20:00 Folk Alliance Conference Memphis, Tennessee 8 Mar 2008 19:30 Taylor Books Charleston, West Virginia 4 Apr 2008 19:00 WPAQ Blue Ridge Spotlight Talent Show Lowgap, North Carolina 5 Apr 2008 16:00 WPAQ Pickin’ on the Front Porch Lowgap, North Carolina 19 Apr 2008 20:00 Bear on the Square festival Dahlonega, Georgia 19 Apr 2008 21:00 Crimson Moon Dahlonega, Georgia 3 May 2008 20:00 Shenandoah River Songfest Luray, Virginia 30 May 2008 19:00 American Crossroads Live Morehead, Kentucky

Mountains of Music (John Lillys book and where to get it)

medicinemusic — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:01:11 +0100

Johns day job, is editor of the West Virginian heritage magazine Goldenseal Goldenseal Magazine link. Goldenseal, the magazine of West Virginia traditional life, is produced by the Division of Culture and History and takes its stories from the recollections of West Virginians living throughout the state. Oral history fieldwork and documentary photography result in four issues per year with articles on subjects such as labor history, folklore, music, farming, religion, traditional crafts, food, and politics. Mountains of Music West Virginia Traditional Music from Goldenseal Author: John Lilly In Mountains Of Music, John draws on his extensive knowledge and deep love of the traditional folk music of West Virginia Paper 978-0-252-06815-7 $23.95 Pages: 248 pages Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 in. Illustrations: 150 photographs Available Here From fiddle tunes to folk ballads, from banjos to blues, traditional music thrives in the remote mountains and hollers of West Virginia. For a quarter century, Goldenseal magazine has given its readers intimate access to the lives and music of folk artists from across this pivotal state. Now the best of Goldenseal is gathered for the first time in this richly illustrated volume. Some of the country's finest folklorists take us through the backwoods and into the homes of such artists as fiddlers Clark Kessinger and U.S. Senator Robert Byrd, recording stars Lynn Davis and Molly O'Day, dulcimer master Russell Fluharty, National Heritage Fellowship recipient Melvin Wine, bluesman Nat Reese, and banjoist Sylvia O'Brien. The most complete survey to date of the vibrant strands of this music and its colorful practitioners, Mountains of Music delineates a unique culture where music and music making are part of an ancient and treasured heritage. The sly humor, strong faith, clear regional identity, and musical convictions of these performers draw the reader into families and communities bound by music from one generation to another. For devotees as well as newcomers to this infectiously joyous and heartfelt music, Mountains of Music captures the strength of tradition and the spontaneous power of living artistry.

John Lilly and Blind Alfred Reed Tribute

medicinemusic — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:30:35 +0100

Photo of John Lilly and Little Jimmy Dickens at The West Virginian Hall of Fame inductees ceremony, John has recorded a track for a tribute album to Blind Alfred Reed, to be released in the new year on Proper Records, in aid of The West Virgin Hall Of Fame. Play the video for more information John is the last artist feature here.

Thomas Fraser Festival Review

medicinemusic — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:16:43 +0100

"Thomas Fraser Festival headliner John Lilly is what you would term "the genuine article", clearly drawing his inspiration from Godlike country figures such as Hank Williams. I can do him no more honour than to say his self-penned songs such as I'm Paying Now and Blue Highway could have come from the pen and throat of the great man himself, while another song Road Kill on the Highway to Your Heart would surely pick up the Grammy for "Quirky Song of the Year" - if there where such a thing. John rounded off his set with a quick burst of Appalachian dancing, possibly in homage to Burra's own "War Dance", before everyone literally crowded back onto the stage for the collective finale of Will The Circle Be Unbroken and I'll Fly Away". Davy Gardener Shetland Today Full review here Shetland Today Davy Gardener Review

Number One on the Euro Americana Chart

medicinemusic — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:19:23 +0100

John Lilly adds to his number one spot on the USA Freeform American Roots Broadcasters Chart with chart topping success, with The Euro FAR Broadcasters too. Here is the November edition of the Euro Americana Chart. Go tell your friends and neighbours about this edition. 1 John Lilly Haunted Honky Tonk Self rel. 2 Steve Earle Washington Square New West 3 Dwight Yoakam Dwight Sings Buck New West 4 Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Raising Sand Rounder rec. 5 Peter Cooper Cautionary Tales CoraZong 6 Stace England Salt Sex Slaves Rank Outsider 7 Eric Taylor Hollywood Pocketknife Self rel. 8 Richard Stooksbury South Self rel. 9 Ad Vanderveen Soundcarrier Sonic Rendezvous 10 Sam Baker Pretty World Self rel. 11 Joe Henry Civilans Anti 12 Dan Israel Turning Eclectone 13 Bettye LaVette The Scene of the Crime Anti 14 Romi Mayes Sweet Somethin’Steady Self rel. 15 Mark Olson The Salvation Blues Hacktone rec. 16 South Austin Jug Band Strange Invitation SAJB Rec. 17 Duncan Earl Walters Guardian Spent Round 18 Rob Lutes Ride The Shadows Me & My rec. 19 Ryan Bingham Mescalito Lost Highway 20 Tom Ovans Party Girl Floating World 21 Levon Helm Dirt Farmer Vanguard 22 Nathan Holscher Even The Hills Self rel. 23 Mary Gauthier Between Daylight And Dark Lost Highway 24 Perry Keyes Last Ghost Train Home Laughing Outlaw rec. 25 Greyhound Soul Tonight and Every Night Blue Rose Kind regards, Nico Druyf Euro Americana Chart Hoorn - Netherlands euroamericanachart@hetnet.nl www.euroamericanachart.nl www.myspace.com/euroamericanachart

Thanks for taking part in the Hank Williams night Inverness

medicinemusic — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:03:53 +0100

Thanks to all who took part, we had a great night. Medicine Music on Nessmp3.com click here

John Lilly is a multi-talented acoustic music performer from Charleston, West Virginia, specializing in Americana, roots country, and traditional folk music.

John Lilly Radio appearances on The Scottish Tour

medicinemusic — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:18:27 +0100

Plenty of chance to catch John Lilly on the radio while he's here. Thursday 1st Nov Archie Fishers Travelling Folk BBC Scotland 7pm Saturday 3rd Nov The Medicine Show Loch Broom FM 1pm Wednessday 7th Highland Cafe BBC Highland 2pm

John Lilly and May & Mackie.Italian review

medicinemusic — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 17:28:50 +0100

I wanna thank you for two exceptional cds I recently received: John Lilly and May & Mackie. Both are great roots albums and they absolutely deserve to be known. I previously known John Lilly and his 'unadulterated' way of approaching country music but 'Haunted Honky Tonk' is his best to date, his most inspiring. May & Mackie are a real surprise! I never believed a couple from the Shetland Isles could give us such genuine country music, at the same level as many US artists and even better in many cases. Thanks again for your consideration! All the best, Remo Ricaldone, Italy http://www.americanwest.it

New album now available

medicinemusic — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:43:04 +0100

Exclusive download Radio Track available here

Click cover to order and for more info

John Lilly Haunted Honky Tonk Musicians

medicinemusic — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:40:36 +0100

Musicians Janet Beazley From San Diego, California, Janet plays banjo and sings with the popular bluegrass band, Chris Stuart & Backcountry. She also has a doctorate in early music, specializing in woodwinds. Janet is an accomplished songwriter, producer, and arranger. www.chrisstuart.com Chuck Campbell Chuck lives in Rochester, New York, where he plays with family members in the Campbell Brothers Band. Chuck is one of the leading proponents of the Sacred Steel movement and received the National Heritage Fellowship in 2004 for his work and leadership in this unique and soulful musical style. www.campbellbrothers.com Tim Courts Tim is a multitalented young musician from Charleston, West Virginia, where he plays drums with the Bob Thompson Unit. He is also the director of music at the First Baptist Church in Charleston. Buddy Griffin One of the most talented musicians in country or bluegrass music, Buddy Griffin is skilled at playing anything with strings. Over the past 40 years, he has recorded on more than 150 albums and appeared with such legends as Bill Monroe, Johnny Russell, Kenny Baker, Maybelle Carter, Mac Wiseman, and many others. In 1998, Buddy began touring as fiddler with Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys, and still appears frequently with Jesse McReynolds. A large photograph of Buddy playing fiddle with Jim & Jesse hangs prominently backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where he has appeared many times. Buddy currently directs the bluegrass music program at Glenville State College in Glenville, West Virginia. Ginny Hawker “If soulful mountain singing gives you cold chills, you’d better grab a sweater.” Ginny Hawker is perhaps the most active, respected, and sought-after traditional singer in central Appalachia. She grew up in the unaccompanied Primitive Baptist tradition of her father, the late Ben Hawker, and has since applied her skills to other styles of music, including honky-tonk and bluegrass. She lives in Coxs Mill, West Virginia. Ginny records and performs throughout the country and overseas with her husband, Tracy Schwarz. www.ginnyandtracy.com Bill Kirchen Best known for his signature Telecaster guitar playing on the 1972 hit song “Hot Rod Lincoln” as a member of Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen, Bill Kirchen is a guitar legend. He has performed around the world with a stunning list of fellow musicians. A formidable songwriter, vocalist, and bandleader in his own right, he fronts the group Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun. Bill makes his home in coastal Maryland. www.billkirchen.com John Lilly Originally from Illinois, John Lilly has lived in several states, making his home in West Virginia since 1992. He is an award-winning songwriter, having won the 2005 international “Ghost Writers in the Sky” songwriting contest, sponsored by HankFest, for songs in the style of Hank Williams. He was also a songwriting finalist at MerleFest in 2003. John is a veteran of the Appalachian old-time music scene, having danced as a member of the Green Grass Cloggers dance team and played with Ralph Blizard and the New Southern Ramblers. “Haunted Honky Tonk” is John Lilly’s third self-produced recording as a solo artist. According to one reviewer, “If Hank Williams had a sunny disposition, he’d be John Lilly.” www.johnlillymusic.com Exclusive download Radio Track available here

Click cover to order and for more info

John releases Haunted Honky Tonk. Ten haunting originals and a few choice covers from this award-winning West Virginia artist. Guest appearances include Bill Kirchen, Chuck Campbell, Ginny Hawker, Buddy Griffin, Chris Stuart, Janet Beazley, and others. Enhanced CD includes free music video of The Hank Fest Winning song “Blue Highway” plus other exciting bonus content. 1. Haunted Honky Tonk 3:32 2. Who Broke the DJ's Heart? 2:49 3. I'm Paying Now 3:29 4. Whippin' that Old T.B. 3:05 5. Pave My Grave 2:51 6. Bohemian Boys 4:53 7. The Drifting Tune 2:01 8. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong 2:39 9. I Can't Escape from You 3:17 10. Groundhog 2:50 11. Prisoner's Birthday 2:58 12. Roadkill 2:52 13. Friday, Sunday's Coming 2:56 14. In Time 3:35 CD includes Bonus Features which include "Blue Highway" Music Video, complete song lyrics, musicians' biographies, photos, links and credits. Musicians Janet Beazley From San Diego, California, Janet plays banjo and sings with the popular bluegrass band, Chris Stuart & Backcountry. She also has a doctorate in early music, specializing in woodwinds. Janet is an accomplished songwriter, producer, and arranger. www.chrisstuart.com Chuck Campbell Chuck lives in Rochester, New York, where he plays with family members in the Campbell Brothers Band. Chuck is one of the leading proponents of the Sacred Steel movement and received the National Heritage Fellowship in 2004 for his work and leadership in this unique and soulful musical style. www.campbellbrothers.com Tim Courts Tim is a multitalented young musician from Charleston, West Virginia, where he plays drums with the Bob Thompson Unit. He is also the director of music at the First Baptist Church in Charleston. Buddy Griffin One of the most talented musicians in country or bluegrass music, Buddy Griffin is skilled at playing anything with strings. Over the past 40 years, he has recorded on more than 150 albums and appeared with such legends as Bill Monroe, Johnny Russell, Kenny Baker, Maybelle Carter, Mac Wiseman, and many others. In 1998, Buddy began touring as fiddler with Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys, and still appears frequently with Jesse McReynolds. A large photograph of Buddy playing fiddle with Jim & Jesse hangs prominently backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where he has appeared many times. Buddy currently directs the bluegrass music program at Glenville State College in Glenville, West Virginia. Ginny Hawker “If soulful mountain singing gives you cold chills, you’d better grab a sweater.” Ginny Hawker is perhaps the most active, respected, and sought-after traditional singer in central Appalachia. She grew up in the unaccompanied Primitive Baptist tradition of her father, the late Ben Hawker, and has since applied her skills to other styles of music, including honky-tonk and bluegrass. She lives in Coxs Mill, West Virginia. Ginny records and performs throughout the country and overseas with her husband, Tracy Schwarz. www.ginnyandtracy.com Bill Kirchen Best known for his signature Telecaster guitar playing on the 1972 hit song “Hot Rod Lincoln” as a member of Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen, Bill Kirchen is a guitar legend. He has performed around the world with a stunning list of fellow musicians. A formidable songwriter, vocalist, and bandleader in his own right, he fronts the group Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun. Bill makes his home in coastal Maryland. www.billkirchen.com John Lilly Originally from Illinois, John Lilly has lived in several states, making his home in West Virginia since 1992. He is an award-winning songwriter, having won the 2005 international “Ghost Writers in the Sky” songwriting contest, sponsored by HankFest, for songs in the style of Hank Williams. He was also a songwriting finalist at MerleFest in 2003. John is a veteran of the Appalachian old-time music scene, having danced as a member of the Green Grass Cloggers dance team and played with Ralph Blizard and the New Southern Ramblers. “Haunted Honky Tonk” is John Lilly’s third self-produced recording as a solo artist. According to one reviewer, “If Hank Williams had a sunny disposition, he’d be John Lilly.” www.johnlillymusic.com

New song from the new album exclusive to nessmp3.com

medicinemusic — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:17:05 +0100

Who Broke The DJ's Heart A Preview (and radio podcast single) of the new album, featuring king of the telecaster Bill Kitchens (Commander Cody) please feel free to download and play on any media you wish. Who Broke The DJ's Heart A Preview (and radio podcast single) of the new album, featuring king of the telecaster Bill Kitchens (Commander Cody) please feel free to download and play on any media you wish.

Thomas Fraser and John Lilly

John Lilly — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:13:55 +0100

Thomas Fraser sings Mississippi River Blues

I was honored to be invited play a Highland tour last year Including Hootananny Inverness and Thomas Fraser Memorial Festival Burra Shetland, i'm very pleased to say Ive been booked back for next year in November, I hope to see some of you then. Thomas Fraser of Burra Isle, Shetland, passed away in 1978 aged only 50. Thomas had been a fisherman and crofter - ordinary you might say - yet he left a stunning legacy: 1000s of songs recorded at home in his small croft house using a reel-to-reel recorder. Not music traditionally associated with Shetland entirely, for Thomas was an exponent of the country and blues styles and his passion was the guitar. Click for more live feeds from The Thomas Fraser Memorial Festival, Including Allan Tulloch Quartet, May & Mackie, The Pottingers, Rick McWilliams (Jimmy Rogers Grand Nephew) the Moonshiners. Click www.thomasfraser.com for more information on Thomas. Click www.johnlillymusic.com for more information on John himself. Check out Thomas Frasers daughters band, MAY and Mackie are on Nessmp3.com www.nessmp3.com/music/mayandmackie

John Lilly The Biog

John Lilly — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:22:57 +0100

John Lilly is a multi-talented acoustic music performer from Charleston, West Virginia, specializing in Americana, roots country, and traditional folk music. Click www.johnlillymusic.com for more information on John himself. His creative original songs recall the sounds of earlier generations, while his innovative treatment of early country and traditional music is timeless. According to one reviewer, "If Hank Williams had a sunny disposition, he'd be John Lilly." John is much in demand as an authority on the music of Jimmie Rodgers, regularly appearing at Jimmie Rodgers tributes and festivals all over the world. John has released three self-produced CDs. "Broken Moon," released in 2000, earned enthusiastic reviews and widespread radio airplay. Bluegrass Unlimited magazine called it one of the "most unusual and interesting acoustic disks of the year." John's second CD, "Last Chance to Dance," released in 2003, debuted at the ..4 position in Europe on the Euro-Americana radio chart. His third CD, "Blue Highway," released in 2005, is a collaboration with legendary Tennessee fiddler Ralph Blizard. A new album is due out this summer, tentatively titled "Haunted Honky Tonk." Stay tuned for details!. John is widely recognized as a powerful performing songwriter. In 2005, he won the international Ghost Writers In the Sky songwriting contest, sponsored by HankFest, a Chicago-based festival honoring the music of Hank Williams. John won a customized guitar for his original song "Blue Highway." He was a finalist in the 2002 Chris Austin Songwriting Competition at MerleFest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, chosen from 853 entries and placing third in the Country category for his song "Broken Moon." John was born in Illinois in 1954 and has travelled and performed extensively. A former member of the Green Grass Cloggers dance team, John spent years playing traditional string band music with groups including Ralph Blizard and the New Southern Ramblers. He is a former a tour guide at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, and is currently editor of the West Virginia state heritage magazine Goldenseal.

A Little Yodel (Goes A Long Way) New John Lilly song posted

medicinemusic — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 21:24:09 +0100

Is this the first yodeling on Nessmp3.com? surly not!