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Biography: John Gaar
Southern Roots, Southern Soul.
John Gaar was born and raised in the midst of the magical
music melting pot of Louisiana. He picked up the guitar at
13 and was playing gigs in small town, smoke-filled bars by
the time he was 16. From that point on it became all about
the music and how it made him feel - and how he could make
others feel deep into their souls through his own singing
and playing. It was at 18 he had the choice to go on the
road with a band, or go to college on a music scholarship --
John chose the road and hasn't looked back!
The
Journey.
In 1981 John's first real taste of R&B, Soul, Blues, and
Zydeco music was a two-year stint with his brother, Red Hot
recording artist, Burton Gaar, with Zydeco-musician, Rockin'
Sydney - best known for his Grammy-Award winning hit
crossover song, "My Toot Toot." John then next toured
throughout the South with two bands, one a seven-piece R&B
horn band, and the other a New Orleans groove band. Then he
landed a gig with Miss Molly and the Passions, a ballsy,
foul-mouthed, bull-whip-toting band from Lake Charles, LA,
that was voted Houston's No. 1 Band -- three years running.
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After three years with the Passions, John's circumstances
forced him to move to the Bay Area where he had to deal with
culture shock, a deference of musical attitudes, and no
money -- so he played every gig he could get his hands on in
the area. By 1993 it was time to re-up on his "Southerness",
so John moved back to the South (after four years in
California) and headed first to Tulsa, then to Nashville,
and then finally back to Louisiana, where he landed a gig
with Blind Pig recording artist, Chubby Carrier and the
Bayou Swamp Band, a rockin' Zydeco Blues band. John toured
the US and Europe 250 dates a year for the next four years
with Carrier. Then John decided to "get off the bus and stay
awhile," by going back to the Bay Area to play local gigs,
put his own band together, record his own songs and have a
lot of fun doing what he loves! After much success with his
own band, including being selected for the Monterey Blues
Festival after the band was just 5 months old, John decided
to pick up and move to Austin, Texas to further his career
goals in the land that he loves -- the South! All we can say
is, watch out Austin and beyond, a new force is here!
Guitarist--Vocalist--Songwriter--and Showman!
John has emerged from his journey so far to find that it's
time to do his own "thang" -- and it's about time! If his
incredibly soulful guitar playing doesn't give you the goose
bumps, his unmistakably talented and unique voice will.
Throw that in with page after page of skillfully penned
rockin' blues songs and his southern charm -- and you have
John Gaar, a true and consummate player and showman.
Soulful, Rockin', Gritty, Guitar-Lickin' Blues!
With their 80 years plus combined experience, the band John
has put together will "wow" you with a unique sound that is
unmatched today. From soulful, gitty lyrics and harmonized
background vocals to the tight rhythmic beat of the bass and
drums, you will find your crowd "dancing in the streets" -
or at least tapping in their seats! If you are looking for
that new, cutting-edge, yet traditional, sound of soulful,
guitar-lickin' blues -- then the John Gaar Band can't be
beat.
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Awarded honorable mention by Billboard Magazine
as one of top new songwriters for the song,
"Memphis", on CD release "Bittersweet Success".
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John Gaar Album Credits include:
John Gaar Band, "Bittersweet Success"; Rockin' Sidney,
1983's "The Other Woman"; Burton Gaar & the Mudkats, "Still
Singing the Blues"; Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band,
"Too Hot to Handle"; and, Red Archibald, "Everything I Got".
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