John Bohlinger (musician)

John Bohlinger Jr
Background information
Born	c. 1966 (age 48–49) 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 2014 "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 guitarist.

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, 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

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", a somewhat comedic, instructional guide to earning a living as a musician in the music business. "Last Call" gives the readers a stage-right view of the stress, the fun, and the Spinal Tappish insanity of playing for a living. Although working and aspiring musicians comprise the main demographic, music fans are drawn to his column as well.

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 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 lives in Nashville.

Filmography

• Little Giants (1994) - songwriter, "She Ain't My Baby Anymore"
• Joy Ride (2001) - performer/songwriter: "If You're Gonna Leave Me, Can I Come Too"^[5]
• Nashville Star (2003-2008), Band Leader/ Music Director/Composer
• Next GAC Star (2008) Band Leader/ Music Director/Composer
• The Outlaw Trail (2008) Featured Performer/ Songwriter^[6]
• "CMT Music Awards" 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013,2014 - Music Director/Band Leader/Composer
• "Country Strong" (2010) - bass player, Gwyneth Paltrow's band.
• "The Gundown" (2011) film starring Peter Coyote, William Shokley. Music Composed by John Bohlinger.
• The Songs of Johnny Cash (2012). Ovation TV. The documentary series features rare interviews about the legend with such great talents as Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Shelby Lynne, Marty Stuart, Rodney Crowell, George Jones, Grace Potter, Shooter Jennings, David Wild, Billy Bob Thornton, Chris Isaak, Ben Folds, John Carter Cash, Peter Cooper, Josh Thompson, Ken Paulson, Peter Collins, Yelawolf and Justin Townes Earle. The series, narrated by musician John Bohlinger, highlights Cash’s multi-generational impact on America music and culture.
• "Christmas with Scotty McCreery & Friends"2012,GAC networks'
• "Thrift Store Cowboy"(2013). songwriter/performer with Megan Mullins, "Just Someone You use to Know"
• "Nashville" (2014). ABC Network. John plays the guitarist in character Luke Wheeler's band.

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

• A Guitar and a Pen co-edited with Robert Hicks and Justin Stelter (Center Street, 2008)
• "Last Call" monthly column for "Premier Guitar"

Songs

• "Six Strings from Hell", written by John Bohlinger and Paul Allen. Performed by Joe Walsh on Sony Legacy
• "Straw into Gold", written by John Bohlinger and Paul Allen. Performed by Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart on Sony Legacy
• "This aint Your first Rodeo", written by John Bohlinger and Paul Allen. Performed by Chrissie Hynde on Sony Legacy
• "Buy Our CD",written by John Bohlinger, R.l. Feek, David Banning, performed by Joey + Rory bonus track for Album Number Two on Vanguard/Sugar Hill
• "Gone Either Way",written by John Bohlinger, Ray Scott, Philip Moore, performed by Ray Scott Warner Bro.^[7]
• "Just Someone You Used to Know",written by John Bohlinger, Megan Mullins, performed by Megan Mullins on Stoney Creek
• "Almost Like You're Still Here",written by John Bohlinger, Megan Mullins, performed by Megan Mullins on Stoney Creek
• "Next Time I Fall in Love", written by John Bohlinger, Trent Summar, Kostas, performed by Ashley Ray Universal Music Nashville
• "Honey Do", written by John Bohlinger, Wylie Gustafson, performed by Wylie and the Wild West Show
• "She Ain't My Baby",written by John Bohlinger, Kostas, Greg Lucas, performed by Kostas on Capitol Records Nashville
• "Just Like the Moon", written by John Bohlinger, John Arthur Martinez, performed by John Arthur Martinez on Dual Tone
• "Girl from Tennessee",written by John Bohlinger, Trent Summar, performed by Trent Summar
• "Too Busy Being Blue",written by John Bohlinger, Kostas, performed by Trent Summar
• "The Outlaw Trail",written by John Bohlinger, Rick Sanjek, performed by Suzy Bogguss and Lee Roy Parnell^[8]
• "Here Lies an Outlaw", written by John Bohlinger, Charles McCutcheon, performed by Del Castillo
• "The Ballad of Cherokee Bill", written by John Bohlinger and Cowboy Troy,performed by Cowboy Troy
• "Down Low", written by John Bohlinger and Paul Allen, performed by Ivan Neville on Sony Legacy
• "Look what love has Done" written by John Bohlinger, Jon Pousette-Dart, performed by Jon Pousette-Dart
• "The Delta is a Mystery" wwritten and performed by John Bohlinger, Forrest Lee, performed by The Bendegos
• "On My Way", written and performed by John Bohlinger. ESPN: "THE COLOR ORANGE". Produced by Kenny Chesney and Shaun Silva.
• "One of Us is Lying" written by John Bohlinger, performed by The Western Swing Authority. All Dolled Up

References