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. John paints vivid, lasting images with words and music, drawn from a palette of awareness, irony, humor, and compassion.
A socially driven singer/songwriter not afraid of writing about the shadows, John allows us the space to come to our own conclusions. His songs speak to our common shared humanity. Thank-you notes left on his websites come from both soldiers and anti-war advocates.
His 8th CD, America’s Waiting, released July 14, 2009, reached #6 on the national Folk DJ list and recieved reviews:
“America’s Waiting is a great album, distinguished by its courage and sincerity. …This is an important album by an important artist.” – Kris Kristofferson
“Lyrically charged, powerful and moving music!” – Susan Hartman, editor, Dirty Linen Magazine
John’s artistic journey has taken him from Temple University, where he earned a degree in Political Science, to Nashville’s Music Row as a songwriter, to award-winning children’s recording artist and performer, to social justice activist. John is truly an American troubadour.
John has shared the stage with some of the greats of our time, Willie Nelson, Arlo Guthrie, Kris Kristofferson, to name a few. Arlo invited John to join his Train to New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina, and Kristofferson has not only sung on two of John’s CD’s, but has given John previously unrecorded material to use. Sonny Ochs, the sister of the late great songwriter, Phil Ochs, has made Johns one of the mainstays of her Phil Ochs Song Nights that tours nationally.
John walks his talk. When off the road, he leads a prison discussion group, is very involved with Camp Dreamcatcher, a safe haven for children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and is an advocate for wider understanding and treatment of PTSD suffered by our returning veterans.
He was made a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club for notable service, gained a Shining Star Award from the Dominicans for artistry and service for his song “The Passunder (New Orleans)”, and won a Notable Recording Award from the American Library Association for his CD Love Takes a Whole Box of Crayons.
In 2009, he was named a Peacemaker Among Us by the Pacem in Terris Delaware organization.
John’s songs have been placed in television (Joan of Aracadia) and film (Tiny Tears, Not Broken). An upcoming documentary, “When Jane and Johnny Come Marching Homeless”, will feature “Semper Fi (America’s Waiting)”, a true story of brotherly love in the face of PTSD.
He lives in Delaware with his wife, four children, and their exuberant German Shepherd.
In addition to coffee houses, concerts, and festivals, he presents special programs on songwriting and Prison Ministry. John also performs popular school assembly programs, workshops, and family concerts. He can also be found in Citizen’s Bank Stadium a couple of times a year singing at his beloved Phillies games.
John continues to tour extensively. With nothing but an old Martin D-28 and harmonica for accompaniment, his compelling songs, strong voice, and open-hearted approach to his audiences are turning strangers into believers, and believers into friends.
John Flynn is scheduled to perform from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.