John Berry (musician)
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| John Berry | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Birth name | John Berry, Jr. | |
| Born | September 15, 1959 | |
| Origin | Aiken, SC | |
| Genre(s) | Country | |
| Years active | 1993 - Present | |
| Label(s) | Clear Sky Records | |
| Website | John Berry official web site | |
John Berry is a well known vocalist in country music. With multiple gold and platinum albums and nominations from the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, and the Grammys, he has forged an appreciation from the music industry and fans alike. One such fan includes former President George H. W. Bush and wife Barbara, who invited John to sing for Mr. Bush's birthday party.[citation needed]
Born in Aiken, South Carolina, and raised in the Atlanta, Georgia area, John grew up in an eclectic musical household. His father listened to concert pianist Van Cliburn, his mother had a strong taste for gospel, and his brother became an opera singer. John gravitated to both soul and country music and began recording his own albums at home in 1979. Two years later, John started performing solo acoustic shows in northeast Georgia, then expanded around the southeast, building a strong name and following. As his reputation grew, so did the demand for his self-styled recordings. He eventually made six self-produced albums, with the last one selling over 10,000 copies. He was finally signed to Capitol Records in 1992.
John had his first #1 single in 1994 with “Your Love Amazes Me,” with “She’s Taken a Shine” and “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye” following suit. Other Top 10 releases included “You and Only You” "I Think About It All The Time", "What's In It For Me", "If I Had Any Pride Left At All", and “Change My Mind.” "Standing On The Edge", as well as his edgy Top 30 hit “Kiss Me in the Car,” showed off John’s songwriting ability.
Making a difference is John's motivation, and he sees music as a profoundly important calling. He has conscientiously used his influence to improve both the global and local communities. He has contributed his time and talents for several children's charities, and lent his name to such causes as adult literacy and Cystic Fibrosis. John has been quoted as saying “If there are things we can do that may help make a difference in the lives of others, we should make the most of that opportunity".
John has been actively recording his own albums with his new independent label, Clear Sky Records. His album Songs and Stories was released in May 2002, and has sold over 25,000 copies at shows, online, and through his Fan Club. For the 2003 holiday season, he re-released his live Christmas CD, O Holy Night Live, formerly titled Christmas Live. That CD has been snapped up by fans also, creating the need for a fourth pressing.
During the summer of 2003, John hit the road with friends David Lee Murphy and Lee Roy Parnell on the "Paintin’ the Town Tour". While on the tour, John and David Lee wrote the romantic single “Will You Marry Me?,” which received high praise. On reviewing the single, music critic Robert K. Oermann says John has “still got the goods". Also, that "There's something special about saying something in a song for people who might not be able to express themselves in such a nakedly emotional way.” Bill Lewis at WYTZ in Benton Harbor, MI, predicts “Will You Marry Me?” will make those single guys want to run out and get the ring for their lady and married couples will want to renew their vows.” One fan did just that. He was inspired by hearing the song on the radio to “pop the question” to his girlfriend when he heard the song on the radio. This fan even called John’s Fan Club to get the CD early, in order to use it for the special event. Another fan contacted John's Fan Club to ask if he could propose to his girlfriend during John's performance in Northern IL and the request was granted.
Spring 2005, John hit the road for what proved to be an amazing tour, appropriately named "The Love Tour", in support of "I Give My Heart", his latest album of classic love songs. This CD includes the new hit single "Will You Marry Me". "I Give My Heart" is available at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Musicland, and Borders stores.
Fall 2006 will mark the release of his latest project entitled "Those Were The Days". The project is produced and co-written but songwriter Kerry Kurt Phillips who has written over 45 #1 country hits including Tim McGraw's "Don't Take The Girl" and "Don't Need Your Rocking Chair" for George Jones.
Contents |
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 2004 I Give My Heart
- 2003 O Holy Night Live
- 2002 Certified Hits
- 2002 Christmas Live
- 2001 All the Way to There
- 2000 My Heart Is Bethlehem
- 2000 Greatest Hits
- 1999 Wildest Dreams
- 1999 There He Goes
- 1998 Better Than a Biscuit
- 1996 Faces Certified Gold
- 1995 Standing on the Edge Certified Gold
- 1995 O Holy Night
- 1994 Things Are Not the Same
- 1994 Saddle the Wind
- 1993 John Berry Certified Gold & Platinum
[edit] Singles
- 1999 Love Is For Giving Hot Country Singles & Tracks #53
- 1999 Power Windows Hot Country Singles & Tracks #43
- 1998 Better Than A Biscuit Hot Country Singles & Tracks #75
- 1998 Over My Shoulder Hot Country Singles & Tracks #62
- 1997 I Will, If You Will Hot Country Singles & Tracks #19
- 1997 She's Taken A Shine Hot Country Singles & Tracks #2
- 1997 The Stone Hot Country Singles & Tracks #59
- 1996 Change My Mind Hot Country Singles & Tracks #10
- 1996 Every Time My Heart Calls Your Name Hot Country Singles & Tracks #34
- 1996 O Holy Night Hot Country Singles & Tracks #55
- 1995 I Think About It All The Time Hot Country Singles & Tracks #4
- 1995 If I Had Any Pride Left At All Hot Country Singles & Tracks #25
- 1995 Standing On The Edge Of Goodbye Hot Country Singles & Tracks #2
- 1995 You And Only You Hot Country Singles & Tracks #4
- 1994 What s In It For Me Hot Country Singles & Tracks #5
- 1994 Your Love Amazes Me Hot Country Singles & Tracks #1
- 1993 A Mind Of Her Own Hot Country Singles & Tracks #51
- 1993 Kiss Me In The Car Hot Country Singles & Tracks #22
- 1986 Love Is Forever The Billboard Hot 100 #16
