John Bohlinger (entertainer)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = John Bohlinger


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URL = http://www.johnbohlinger.com/
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John Bohlinger (b. c. 1966) is an American musician and writer who works primarily in television as a band leader/music director for NBC's program "Nashville Star" [http://www.usanetwork.com/series/nashvillestar/ticketing/nashvillestartour.html] and The GAC Network's series, "The Next GAC Star".

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 Songwriter", published by Center Street, a division of Hachette book group. [http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/la-bk-dunn8-2008jun08,0,5776178.story] John also writes a monthly column entitled "Side Man Survival" for "Premiere Guitar Magazine" and writes reviews for "American Songwriter" magazine.

Biography

Early life and education

John Bohlinger is the son of Montana lieutenant governor John Bohlinger and Bette Cobetto Bohlinger. [cite news |first=Kellyn |last=Brown |title=For the Bohlingers, music runs in the family |url=http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2005/12/13/news/02bohlinger.txt |work=Bozeman Daily Chronicle |date=2005-12-13 ] 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. [cite news |first=Aaron |last=Barnhart |title=John Bohlinger: God made him a gypsy |work=Montana Quarterly |date=Summer 2007 |archiveurl=http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2008/09/john-bohlinger.html |archivedate=2008-09-01 ]

Career

Musician:

John Bohlinger is best know as the band leader for NBC's hit program "Nashville Star". 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, Bret Michaels of Poison, Sara Evans, Leann Rimes, Hank Williams, Jr, Kenny Rogers, The Beach Boys, Randy Owen of Alabama, and many others. A versatile multi instrumentalist, John has recorded master sessions on electric and acoustic guitars, bass, pedal steel and mandolin.

Songwriter:

Hundreds of John's musical compositions have made it to television, primarily as background music in Nashville Star but also in advertisements and documentaries. John's songs have also been recorded by major and independent label artist.

Writer:

In 2001, John left the music business and worked toward a PhD in psychology. 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, SideMan Survival, a somewhat comedic, instructional guide to earning a living as a musician in the music business. Sideman Survival 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 musician comprise the main demographic, music fans are drawn to his column as well.

Marriage and children

He married the former Sherrie Love, a visual artist, painter and sculptor; the couple has since divorced. They have a son, August Bohlinger, born 8/28/1987. August, a gifted musician/ artist/writer in his own right, died of a drug overdose on May 3rd, 2007, a loss from which neither parent has recovered.

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" [http://www.mooviees.com/mt/movie.php?id=1781&page=soundtrack&rate_ost_id=10119&rate_ost=5]
*"Nashville Star" (2003-), Band Leader/ Music Director/Composer
*"Next GAC Star" (2008) Band Leader/ Music Director/Composer
*"The Outlaw Trail" (2008) Featured Performer/ Songwriter [http://outlawtrailcollection.com/?linkId=2173&source=adwords&custom=the%20outlaw%20trail]

Published works

*" [http://www.aguitarandapen.com/ A Guitar and a Pen] " co-edited with Robert Hicks and Justin Stelter (Center Street, 2008)

ongs

*"Gone Either Way", performed by Ray Scott [http://www.songwords.net/waiguo/country/rayscott/001.htm]
*"Just Someone You Used to Know", performed by Megan Mullins
*"Almost Like You're Still Here", performed by Megan Mullins
*"Next Time I Fall in Love", performed by Ashley Ray
*"Honey Do", performed by Wylie and the Wild West Show
*"She Ain't My Baby", performed by Kostas
*"Just Like the Moon", performed by John Arthur Martinez
*"Girl from Tennessee", performed by Trent Summar
*"Too Busy Being Blue, performed by Trent Summar
*"The Outlaw Trail", performed by Suzy Bogguss and Lee Roy Parnell [http://outlawtrailconcert.com/Repertoire.html]
*"Here Lies an Outlaw", performed by Del Castillo
*"The Ballad of Cherokee Bill", performed by Cowboy Troy

References