John Bohlinger (musician)

John Bohlinger Jr
Background information
Born c. 1966 (age 49–50)
Montana, United States
Instruments Guitar/Pedal Steel/Mandolin/Dobro/Bass/Harmonica/
Website www.johnbohlinger.com

John Bohlinger (born c. 1967) is an American musician and writer who works primarily in television as a band leader/music director for NBC's program Nashville Star[1] and The GAC Network's series, The Next GAC Star, the 2009 though 2015 "CMT Music Awards", CMT's Christmas Special featuring "Larry The Cable Guy" as well as PBS's "The Outlaw Trail", GAC networks' 2012 "Christmas with Scotty McCreery & Friends". In 2013, Bohlinger became the Nashville video correspondent for Premier Guitar where he films Review Demos of musical gear and Rig Rundown interviews with other celebrity guitarists.

In addition to his work in music, John is a contributor and co-editor of A Guitar and a Pen, Stories by Country Music's Greatest Songwriters, published by Center Street, a division of Hachette book group.[2] John also writes a monthly column entitled "Last Call" for Premier Guitar magazine.

Early life and education

John Bohlinger is the son of Montana lieutenant governor John Bohlinger and Bette Cobetto Bohlinger.[3] During high school his parents withdrew him from public school and sent him to the Hun School of Princeton, where he graduated. Bohlinger began his undergraduate studies at the University of Montana, quit school after two years to work at a school and orphanage in Honduras, then returned to finish his bachelor's studies at Columbia University, where he graduated magna cum laude in English literature and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society.[4] Though he was awarded a full fellowship to Columbia's Teacher's College, John returned to Montana with his family where he became a part-time faculty member in the English department at Eastern Montana College. While teaching at Eastern John worked toward a Masters in Education but left the program to pursue his music career.

Career

Musician

John Bohlinger is best known as the band leader for 6 seasons of NBC's hit program Nashville Star and music director for the "CMT Music Awards" 2009 through 2014. John originally moved to Nashville to pursue a song-writing career but soon found guitar playing a more stable means of feeding his family. John became the consummate Nashville sideman; he has accompanied over fifty major label artist throughout his tenure in Nashville including Miranda Lambert, Jewel, Sheryl Crow, Little Big Town, Joe Walsh, Kasey Musgraves, Chrissie Hynde,Lee Brice, The Commodores, Dave Stewart, Luke Bryant, Bret Michaels of Poison, Sara Evans, LeAnn Rimes, Hank Williams Jr, Kenny Rogers, Justin Hayward (of The Moody Blues), Tanya Tucker, Lamont Dozier, The Beach Boys, Alabama, and many others. A versatile multi instrumentalist, John has recorded master sessions on electric and acoustic guitars, bass, pedal steel and mandolin.

Songwriter

John's songs have also been recorded by Joe Walsh, Chrissie Hynde, Ray Scott, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart as well as many other major label and independent label artists. Hundreds of John's musical compositions have can be heard as background music in film and television.

Writer/Interviewer/Demonstrator

In 2001, John left the music business and worked toward a PhD in psychology at Tennessee State University. Unable to completely leave the arts, John began pitching a book idea entitled A Guitar and a Pen eventually enlisting his friend Robert Hicks as a partner. The book of short stories by Nashville songwriters was eventually published by Center Street in 2008.

John writes a monthly column entitled "Last Call", for Premier Guitar magazine. The column is a somewhat comedic, instructional guide to earning a living as a musician in the music business.[5] He also writes other columns for the magazine, usually involving gear or guides for specific playing styles.[6]

In addition to his column, John also performs "Rig Rundown" interviews for Premier guitar, interviewing touring musicians about their guitars, effects chain and other gear.[7] He also demo's and reviews a wide variety of gear for Premier Guitar's video reviews.[8]

Voice Over/ Acting

John Bohlinger is the voice over narrator for the 2012, six part series "The Songs of John Cash" on Ovation TV.

Bohlinger played Gwyneth Paltrow's bass player in her film "Country Strong".

In 2013, Bohlinger had a recurring role in ABC's tele-drama "Nashville".

Personal life

He married the former Sherrie Love, a visual artist, painter and sculptor; the couple has since divorced. Their son, August Bohlinger (1987-2007), a talented artist and musician in his own right, died in his freshman year of college. John began a blog on Wordpress entitled "When you Lose Your Child" which serves as an online support group for grieving parents. A scholarship to Nashville's W.O. Smith school was set up in August Bohlinger's name.

On November 30, 2008, John married singer/songwriter/musician Megan Mullins. The couple divorced in 2015. John lives in Nashville.

Filmography

Bohlinger has also performed multiple times on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, The ACM Awards, The CMA Awards, Nashville Now, Good Morning America, the ACA on Fox and several other programs featuring live music.

Published works

Songs

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, April 14, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.