JohnGillette
Poultney, Vermont
36 Years Old
Songwriter, Singer-Songwriter, Instrumentalist
36 Years Old
Songwriter, Singer-Songwriter, Instrumentalist
writer profile >
""...There are some long roads you never know...""
BIOGRAPHYMy interest in songwriting started with my childhood in Virginia. My grandmother’s piano sat in the corner of our brick house and I was enrolled in lessons to learn to play. Like many, I cried through them. I loved to play but not to practice as the teacher urged. Instead, I used what I’d learned to create new songs and improvise. The lesson books stayed closed and this routine persisted from ages 7 to 12 when my mother tired of persuading me to play and the lessons ended for good.
In 1986, my family moved to Arizona for a couple years and then back east to Connecticut. Around that time, my brother, in uncharacteristic kindness, taught me a few chords on my father’s ’61 Gibson LGO acoustic guitar. Each morning I’d wait for the school bus and strum whatever combination of sounds fit my mood. Guitar became my go-to instrument and I started to teach myself by listening to songs I liked and from books, blending those techniques and patterns to make new songs. This is when the songwriting started in earnest. The formula hasn’t changed much since—only my perspective and vocabulary have evolved with experience.
From high school on I played and wrote songs in bands of various styles and sizes from acoustic folk and punk four-pieces to funk octets and a jazz trio. I played an electric guitar with most bands but preferred acoustic— developing alternative tuning and finger picking techniques—bending my ear more toward folk, swing jazz, delta blues and, increasingly, bluegrass.
Like many people in their 20’s, I yearned to travel. Songs kept spiraling out inspired by circumstance and the nuance of place like hiking the Appalachian Trail, walking from Key West to Quebec with a charity group in 2001, and living young in crowded Boston apartments thereafter. Always, I had a guitar or banjo with me and had written dozens of songs. Two college friends moved to Boston with me and we became dedicated to musical collaboration forming a band called Night in Wyoming. We lived and played together, swapped instruments and gigged every night we could. Soon we had residences, recorded, were written up in the Globe and sold a recording to a movie soundtrack. This could be viewed as the height of my musical career if measured by subsisting from music I had written. Though we had good times, the idealist in me was uneasy with making music for money motives instead of the pleasure of sharing.
This view of music as a shared commodity has solidified and songwriting now a pastime of life when leisure is a luxury. I prefer to serve my community through teaching, farming or both than selling my musical ideas for art’s sake. I like to use music as a powerful tool for intergenerational exchange, collective celebration as well as personal expression. In a broader sense, I think people’s working relationship with the landscape and passing on what we learn from that relationship is the primary business that matters to me and, though I love sharing music, I believe it too must be relocalized like our farms and other means of production to sustain life. So to me, a songwriter is just one skill individuals can use to compress their experience, or observation into a shared musical idea—a lesson. I write for different reasons. Songwriting is my journal, editorial, and way of storytelling by inventing half-truths, myths and nonsense.
In winter of 2005 I moved to the Midwest to be with my, now, wife, Sarah—an excellent singer and bassist. Together we have collaborated with musicians in Wisconsin, Virginia and Vermont making a tradition of opening our home to people to trade songs, styles, stories, and whatever dialogues come to mind. We’ve also brought these living room sessions to restaurants, bars, festivals, weddings, schools, community events, churches, and even the woods where fun has been the first priority.
In 1986, my family moved to Arizona for a couple years and then back east to Connecticut. Around that time, my brother, in uncharacteristic kindness, taught me a few chords on my father’s ’61 Gibson LGO acoustic guitar. Each morning I’d wait for the school bus and strum whatever combination of sounds fit my mood. Guitar became my go-to instrument and I started to teach myself by listening to songs I liked and from books, blending those techniques and patterns to make new songs. This is when the songwriting started in earnest. The formula hasn’t changed much since—only my perspective and vocabulary have evolved with experience.
From high school on I played and wrote songs in bands of various styles and sizes from acoustic folk and punk four-pieces to funk octets and a jazz trio. I played an electric guitar with most bands but preferred acoustic— developing alternative tuning and finger picking techniques—bending my ear more toward folk, swing jazz, delta blues and, increasingly, bluegrass.
Like many people in their 20’s, I yearned to travel. Songs kept spiraling out inspired by circumstance and the nuance of place like hiking the Appalachian Trail, walking from Key West to Quebec with a charity group in 2001, and living young in crowded Boston apartments thereafter. Always, I had a guitar or banjo with me and had written dozens of songs. Two college friends moved to Boston with me and we became dedicated to musical collaboration forming a band called Night in Wyoming. We lived and played together, swapped instruments and gigged every night we could. Soon we had residences, recorded, were written up in the Globe and sold a recording to a movie soundtrack. This could be viewed as the height of my musical career if measured by subsisting from music I had written. Though we had good times, the idealist in me was uneasy with making music for money motives instead of the pleasure of sharing.
This view of music as a shared commodity has solidified and songwriting now a pastime of life when leisure is a luxury. I prefer to serve my community through teaching, farming or both than selling my musical ideas for art’s sake. I like to use music as a powerful tool for intergenerational exchange, collective celebration as well as personal expression. In a broader sense, I think people’s working relationship with the landscape and passing on what we learn from that relationship is the primary business that matters to me and, though I love sharing music, I believe it too must be relocalized like our farms and other means of production to sustain life. So to me, a songwriter is just one skill individuals can use to compress their experience, or observation into a shared musical idea—a lesson. I write for different reasons. Songwriting is my journal, editorial, and way of storytelling by inventing half-truths, myths and nonsense.
In winter of 2005 I moved to the Midwest to be with my, now, wife, Sarah—an excellent singer and bassist. Together we have collaborated with musicians in Wisconsin, Virginia and Vermont making a tradition of opening our home to people to trade songs, styles, stories, and whatever dialogues come to mind. We’ve also brought these living room sessions to restaurants, bars, festivals, weddings, schools, community events, churches, and even the woods where fun has been the first priority.
LEVELsemi-pro
GENRESCountry, Folk, Bluegrass
Contact
Management: John Gillette
Publishing: John Gillette
Booking: John Gillette
Publishing: John Gillette
Booking: John Gillette
INSTRUMENTSbanjo / bass / bongos / congas / dobro / drums / guijo / acoustic guitar / electric guitar / guitsteel / keyboard / mandolin / percussion / piano / steel guitar / synthesizers / tambourine / upright bass / vocals
INFLUENCESfamily, friends, the environment, Thelonious Monk, Beck, Leadbelly, how could you not say Dylan?, how could you say Dylan without nodding to Woody?, how could you nod to Woody without mentioning Leadbelly again?, Leo Kottke, fried chicken, Van Halen(w/ Roth), farmers, Old Crow Medicine Show, my feet, Gillian Welch AND David Rawlings, Sloan, The White Stripes, the homeless, Young M.C. and, most importantly, sunshine...to name some.
Others include:
The Abrams Brothers Adam Steffy Beck Keith Anderson Roy Acuff Lynn Anderson Ryan Adams Jessica Andrews Trace Adkins Katie Armiger Rhett Akins Eddy Arnold Alabama Ernest Ashworth Jason Aldean Asleep at the Wheel Gary Allan Chet Atkins Deborah Allen Rodney Atkins The Allman Brothers Band Sherrie Austin The Amazing Rhythm Aces Gene Autry Al Anderson The Avett Brothers Bill Anderson Steve Azar John Anderson The Bailes Brothers Boxcar Willie DeFord Bailey The Boxmasters Razzy Bailey BR549 David Ball Dale Ann Bradley Veronica Ballestrini Harold Bradley Band of Heathens Michelle Branch Moe Bandy Paul Brandt Bobby Bare Rod Brasfield Mandy Barnett Catherine Britt Jeff Bates Chad Brock The Bellamy Brothers Lane Brody Ray Benson Brooks & Dunn Dierks Bentley Jeff Blaney Garth Brooks Bering Strait Marc Broussard John Berry Alison Brown Big & Rich Jim Ed Brown Big Kenny Junior Brown Ryan Bingham T. Graham Brown Brittini Black The Browns Clint Black Ed Bruce Blackhawk Luke Bryan Norman Blake Felice & Boudleaux Bryant Ron Block Jimmy Bryant Blue County Jimmy Buffett Blue Highway Paul Burch Blue Sky Boys Sonny Burgess Suzy Bogguss Ed Burleson Jason Boland & The Stragglers T-Bone Burnett Bomshel James Burton Bon Jovi Johnny Bush Johnny Bond Sam Bush Sarah Borges And The Broken Singles Sarah Buxton Wade Bowen Tracy Byrd David Byrne Ronnie Bowman Cadillac Sky Slaid Cleaves Chris Cagle Cowboy Jack Clement Colbie Caillat Vassar Clements Caitlin & Will Patsy Cline J.J.Cale Jerry Clower Shawn Camp Anita Cochran Glen Campbell Hank Cochran Melonie Cannon Stephen Cochran Laura Cantrell Tammy Cochran George Canyon David Allan Coe Brandi Carlile Mark Collie Bill Carlisle Jessi Colter Hayes Carll Shawn Colvin Mary Chapin Carpenter Confederate Railroad Rodney Carrington John Conlee Jason Michael Carroll Earl Thomas Conley Jeff Carson Elizabeth Cook The Carter Family Katie Cook Carter Twins Jack Cooke Carlene Carter Spade Cooley Deana Carter Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper Mother Maybelle Carter Cowboy Copas Carter's Chord Easton Corbin Caitlin Cary Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time Neko Case Helen Cornelius John Carter Cash Elvis Costello Johnny Cash Bucky Covington June Carter Cash John Cowan Rosanne Cash Cowboy Troy Kasey Chambers The Cox Family Ray Charles Billy "Crash" Craddock Cherryholmes Floyd Cramer Kenny Chesney Cross Canadian Ragweed Mark Chesnutt Sheryl Crow The Chieftains J.D. Crowe and the New South Eric Church Rodney Crowell Guy Clark Billy Currington Roy Clark Billy Ray Cyrus Terri Clark Miley Cyrus Kelly Clarkson Dailey & Vincent Diamond Rio Vernon Dalhart Hazel Dickens Lacy J. Dalton Little Jimmy Dickens Charlie Daniels Joe Diffie Sarah Darling Dixie Chicks Gail Davies Doc Walker Jimmie Davis Miles Davis Deryl Dodd Linda Davis Jerry Douglas Mac Davis Pete Drake Skeeter Davis Drive-By Truckers Billy Dean Roy Drusky Jimmy Dean Dave Dudley Tyler Dean Due West Def Leppard The Duhks The Delmore Brothers Johnny Duncan John Denver Whitney Duncan The Derailers Holly Dunn Desert Rose Band Bob Dylan Eagles Buddy Emmons Justin Townes Earle Bill Engvall Steve Earle Alejandro Escovedo Bleu Edmondson Dale Evans Kathleen Edwards Sara Evans Eli Young Band Jace Everett Joe Ely The Everly Brothers Emerson Drive Exile Ralph Emery Donna Fargo Tennessee Ernie Ford Freddy Fender The Forester Sisters Shea Fisher Foster & Lloyd Flatlanders Radney Foster Flatt & Scruggs Kevin Fowler Lester Flatt Jeff Foxworthy Bela Fleck & The Flecktones Janie Fricke Flying Burrito Brothers Kinky Friedman John Fogerty David Frizzell Red Foley Lefty Frizzell Colt Ford Hank Garland Josh Gracin Matt Gary Billy Grammer Gatlin Brothers Amy Grant Larry Gatlin The Grascals Mary Gauthier Uncle Josh Graves Crystal Gayle Lloyd Green Ashley Gearing Pat Green Bobbie Gentry The Greencards The Gibson Brothers Jack Greene Don Gibson Lee Greenwood Brantley Gilbert Greg Hanna Vince Gill Adam Gregory Mickey Gilley Patty Griffin Billy Gilman Andy Griffith Tompall Glaser Nanci Griffith Gloriana Andy Griggs Vern Gosdin Hacienda Brothers John Hiatt Merle Haggard Highway 101 Halfway To Hazard Highwaymen Tom T. Hall Faith Hill Trevor Hall Goldie Hill George Hamilton IV Steve Holy James Hand Homer & Jethro Jennifer Hanson Hootie & the Blowfish Jessica Harp Mallary Hope Emmylou Harris Johnny Horton Freddie Hart Hot Rize The Harters Julianne Hough John Hartford Randy Houser Lisa Hartman David Houston Lindsey Haun Harlan Howard Hawkshaw Hawkins Jan Howard Wade Hayes Rebecca Lynn Howard Heartland (Country) Ray Wylie Hubbard Levon Helm Rick Huckaby Bobby Helms Jedd Hughes Tim Hensley Sierra Hull Ray Herndon Ferlin Husky Ty Herndon Infamous Stringdusters Chris Isaak Jack Ingram Jason Isbell The Isaacs Alan Jackson Johnnie & Jack Stonewall Jackson Carolyn Dawn Johnson Wanda Jackson Jamey Johnson Emma Mae Jacob George Jones Sonny James Grandpa Jones Jayhawks Jason Jones Shooter Jennings Norah Jones Waylon Jennings The Jordanaires Jewel Cledus T. Judd Buddy Jewell The Judds Jim & Jesse Jypsi Joey & Rory Kieran Kane Kid Rock Kate and Kacey King Wilkie Robert Earl Keen James King Brent Keith Pee Wee King Toby Keith The Kinleys The Kendalls Chris Knight Kentucky Headhunters Mark Knopfler David Kersh Randy Kohrs Sammy Kershaw Alison Krauss Hal Ketchum Kris Kristofferson Ben Kweller Kevin Costner and Modern West Lady Antebellum The Lemonheads Little Big Town Miranda Lambert Little Texas Living Color k.d. lang The Little Willies Larry The Cable Guy Hank Locklin Blaine Larsen Lonesome River Band Jim Lauderdale Lonestar Tracy Lawrence Los Lonely Boys Doyle Lawson The Lost Trailers Leadbelly The Louvin Brothers Chris LeDoux Charlie Louvin Lee Brice Love and Theft Brenda Lee Patty Loveless Jesse Lee Lyle Lovett Johnny Lee Claire Lynch Andy Leftwich Loretta Lynn Jerry Lee Lewis Shelby Lynne Laurie Lewis Lynyrd Skynyrd Light Crust Doughboys Uncle Dave Macon John Mellencamp Maddox Brothers & Rose Ken Mellons Raul Malo Roy D. Mercer Barbara Mandrell Tift Merritt Louise Mandrell Jo Dee Messina Marcel Buddy Miller Krista Marie Roger Miller Maroon 5 Scott Miller & the Commonwealth The Marshall Tucker Band Ronnie Milsap Benny Martin Ashley Monroe Jimmy Martin Bill Monroe Kathy Mattea Patsy Montana The Mavericks Montgomery Gentry Mac McAnally John Michael Montgomery McBride & the Ride Melba Montgomery Martina McBride Justin Moore Lila McCann Allison Moorer Charly McClain Craig Morgan Delbert McClinton George Morgan Jeremy McComb Lorrie Morgan The Del McCoury Band Gary Morris Neal McCoy Lynn Morris Mindy McCready Van Morrison Jennette McCurdy Cory Morrow Mel McDaniel Mountain Heart Richie McDonald Megan Mullins Reba McEntire Shawn Mullins Sean Patrick McGraw Michael Martin Murphey Tim McGraw David Lee Murphy Lori McKenna Anne Murray James McMurtry David Nail Juice Newton Nashville Bluegrass Band Olivia Newton-John Willie Nelson Joe Nichols New Grass Revival Jon Nicholson New Riders of the Purple Sage Nickel Creek Mickey Newbury Nickelback Heidi Newfield Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Jimmy C. Newman The Notorious Cherry Bombs Tim O'Brien K.T. Oslin Tim O'brien Jamie O'Neal Marie Osmond The Oak Ridge Boys Bashful Brother Oswald Maura O'Connell James Otto Mark O'Connor Paul Overstreet Old 97's Jake Owen Old Crow Medicine Show Randy Owen One Flew South Bonnie Owens Roy Orbison Buck Owens The Osborne Brothers Patti Page Kellie Pickler Brad Paisley Webb Pierce Rissi Palmer Ray Pillow David Parmley & Continental Divide Robert Plant Lee Roy Parnell Poco Gram Parsons Charlie Poole Dolly Parton Elvis Presley Johnny Paycheck Ray Price Leon Payne Charley Pride Minnie Pearl John Prine Danielle Peck Jeanne Pruett Tom Petty Eddie Rabbitt Billy Lee Riley Jerry Reed Raconteurs Jeannie C. Riley Bonnie Raitt LeAnn Rimes Jon Randall Tex Ritter The Randy Rogers Band River City Gang Rascal Flatts The Road Hammers Eddy Raven Marty Robbins Marty Raybon Julie Roberts Collin Raye Bruce Robison Reckless Kelly Carson Robison Jerry Reed Charlie Robison Del Reeves Jimmie Rodgers (Country) Jim Reeves Carrie Rodriguez Mike Reid Johnny Rodriguez Reno & Smiley Kenny Rogers Restless Heart Roy Rogers (Country) Tony Rice Linda Ronstadt Charlie Rich Josh Rouse John Rich Peter Rowan Kim Richey Darius Rucker Ricochet Johnny Russell Riders in the Sky Shawna Russell Doug Sahm Mindy Smith Sawyer Brown Sammi Smith John Schneider Mike Snider Darrell Scott Hank Snow Ray Scott Son Volt Earl Scruggs Sons of the Desert Randy Scruggs The Sons of the Pioneers Dan Seals Red Sovine Curly Seckler Larry Sparks Jeannie Seely Bruce Springsteen Bob Seger Phil Stacey Seldom Scene Stanley Brothers Billy Joe Shaver Ralph Stanley Crystal Shawanda The Statler Brothers SHeDAISY Steel Magnolia Blake Shelton The SteelDrivers Ricky Van Shelton Jeffrey Steele Shenandoah Steep Canyon Rangers Jean Shepard Ray Stevens Ashton Shepherd Gary Stewart Jessica Simpson Matt Stillwell Daryle Singletary Doug Stone The Sir Douglas Quintet George Strait Ricky Skaggs Mel Street Anthony Smith Stringbean Cal Smith Marty Stuart Carl Smith Sugarland Connie Smith Trent Summar & the New Row Mob Daniel Smith (country) Doug Supernaw Daniel Smith Bryan Sutton Kenny & Amanda Smith Band Sunny Sweeney Lance Smith Taylor Swift Margo Smith Sylvia James Talley Aaron Tippin Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez Rhonda Towns James Taylor Tractors Telluride Trailer Choir The Texas Tornados Merle Travis Chris Thile Randy Travis IIIrd Tyme Out Trent Tomlinson Hank Thompson Rick Trevino Josh Thompson Trick Pony Richard Thompson Tony Trischka Cyndi Thomson Travis Tritt Billy Bob Thornton Tanya Tucker Mel Tillis Josh Turner Pam Tillis Shania Twain Floyd Tillman Conway Twitty Jeff Tweedy The Time Jumpers Dan Tyminski Uncle Earl Carrie Underwood Uncle Kracker Keith Urban Van Zant Phil Vassar Leroy Van Dyke Rhonda Vincent Townes Van Zandt Porter Wagoner Keith Whitley Jimmy Wakely Slim Whitman Billy Walker Chuck Wicks Bradley Walker Wilburn Brothers Charlie Walker The Wilkinsons Wilco Cindy Walker Don Williams Clay Walker Hank Williams III Jerry Jeff Walker Hank Williams Jr. Monte Warden Hank Williams Steve Wariner Holly Williams The Warren Brothers Lucinda Williams Sara Watkins Tex Williams Aaron Watson Kelly Willis Dale Watson Trent Willmon Doc Watson Bob Wills Gene Watson Mark Wills Jimmy Wayne Gretchen Wilson Gillian Welch Tim Wilson Kevin Welch The Wilsons Kitty Wells Mac Wiseman Dottie West Lee Ann Womack Emily West Alex Woodard Shelly West Tom Wopat Speedy West Darryl Worley Whiskeytown The Wreckers Bryan White Chely Wright Lari White Michelle Wright Ron White Tammy Wynette Tony Joe White Wynonna The Whites Trisha Yearwood Faron Young Dwight Yoakam Neil Young Chris Young (Country) Zac Brown Band ZZ Top
DAY JOBTeaching & farming
I AM INTERESTED IN
in co writing online
in co writing in person
in networking with songwriters
in pitching songs to artist
in pitching songs to tv
in getting a record deal
in getting a publishing deal
in co writing in person
in networking with songwriters
in pitching songs to artist
in pitching songs to tv
in getting a record deal
in getting a publishing deal
I WRITE:When I have time
I Also Write:
by myself
with others
for myself
for others
I Prefer To Write:
lyrics
melody
music
I Also Write:
by myself
with others
for myself
for others
I Prefer To Write:
lyrics
melody
music
experience >
SONG CUTS"Eeny House" was re-recorded by Jeffrey Blaney for his 2010 Release
SONG PLACEMENTSThe song "Stretch On, Road" off Night In Wyoming was featured on the soundtrack to the film "Baptists At Our Barbeque" (2004)
AWARDS & ACCOLADESThe 2010 winner of the Rachel Bissex White Light Fund Scholarship for Vermont songwriters
FInalist in the New England Songwriting Contest
my network >
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