John Flynn will be playing at Charles and Myrtle’s Coffeehouse on Saturday at 8 p.m. There is a $10 suggested donation at the door.
Review for John Flynn:
John Flynn sings from the heart. His powerful songs of humanity and hope are deeply rooted in the traditions of Woody Guthrie and Phil Ochs. From barbed political verse to joyous fun-loving lyrics for kids, John paints vivid, lasting images with words and music, drawn from a palate of awareness, irony, humor, and compassion.
John began writing professionally in 1980 after graduating from Temple University with a degree in political science. A staff writing contract with Combine Music, and a Billboard Magazine Top Forty country recording of his song "Rainbows and Butterflies" by Epic recording artist, Billy Swan ("I Can Help") established John in the heart of the Nashville Music Row. Flynn's songs eventually transcended the boundaries of country music. He moved back home to Philadelphia
where he continued writing with his own style. It proved successful and John's songs have been recorded by artists as diverse as Chris LeDoux, Rodney Redman, Full Frontal Folk and Ronny Cox.
In the early 90's, Flynn performed heavily in and around his native Philadelphia where his first self-released CDs began to receive extensive airplay on AAA radio giant, WXPN. His first main stage appearance at the 1995 Philadelphia Folk Festival cemented John's reputation as a dynamic original contemporary folk artist.
Songs that Flynn wrote for his own four children became the basis of two highly acclaimed family CDs. He was awarded the American Library Association's Notable Recording Award. John appears regularly on the Peabody Award-winning children's radio program "Kid's Corner" and continues to present extremely popular assemblies and creative-writing workshops. This summer he was featured in NYC's Madison Square Kid's Series and he has upcoming children's sbows at Appel Farm and Longwood Gardens.
Flynn's first national release was John Flynn (1997, Sliced Bread Records), produced by Grammy winner Ben Wisch. It hit Top 20 on the Americana charts. A live album, To the Point, followed. In the new millennium, Flynn, began to speak and write on social justice issues. His newest CDs reflect that change. On Dragon (2004, METTA|four Records) he again teamed with Ben Wisch. The project proudly features backing vocals by Kris Kristofferson. Dragon made the Folk DJ Top 20 list for 2005. One track, "Angel Dawson," was included in the 2005 sea son finale of the CBS network television show Joan of Arcadia.
Flynn's latest release, Two Wolves (2006, METTA|four Records), continues to draw excellent reviews. Four cuts from the CD make their presence felt in a dramatic way: "Dover", a tribute to our service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, has been adopted by Delaware Clear Channel rock and country radio stations. "Blink", "Put Your Freedom Where Your Mouth Is", and "There's No Them There" are featured in the Robert Corna 2008 documentary, Tiny Tears. The film looks at the global epidemic of pediatric HIV/AIDS. Flynn himself and a song he wrote for the children of Camp Dreamcatcher, "The Web & the Feather" are also in the film. Tiny Tears premiered at the United Nations and then screened at The
Cannes Film Festival.
In 2005, Arlo Guthrie invited John to join his post-Katrina "Train to New Orleans Tour." Arlo says of John, "More than just a good song writer, performer, or guitar player, John Flynn is a friend because he actually does the kinds of things to help make the world a little better." Profoundly affected by the city and circumstance, John wrote the searing "The Passunder (New Orleans)." It is featured in Not Broken, a 2008 documentary of New Orleans and Katrina. John received a Shining Star Award in Hollywood for his artistry and values for that
song.
Off the road John enjoys time home in Delaware with his family and long morning runs with his exuberant German Shepherd, Chief. A lifelong Philadelphia Phillies fan, Flynn was honored to sing at the first 2007 National League Eastern Division Playoff game. He volunteers with a men's discussion group in a DE maximum security prison. He is a devoted supporter of Camp Dreamcatcher, an organization that provides a safe haven for children living with HIV/AIDS.
John continues to tour extensively. At the '08 International Folk Alliance Conference he joined former US Attorney General Janet Reno on a panel discussing how music can lead to social change. He recently played the Woody Guthrie Free Folk Festival in Okemah, OK. He has been
invited to join The Green Train in 2009, a nationwide train tour in support of environmental issues, with Merle Haggard at the helm.
With nothing but an old Martin D-28 and harmonica for accompaniment, John's compelling songs, strong voice, and open hearted approach to his audiences are turning strangers into believers, and believers into friends.
Charles and Myrtle’s Coffeehouse is located inside Christ Unity Church at 105 McBrien Road.