
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 to rave
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
tour post-Hurricane Katrina, and Kris Kristofferson has not only
sung on two of John’s CDs, but has given John previously unrecorded
material to use. Sonny Ochs, the sister of the late great
songwriter, Phil Ochs, has made John 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 war 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.
John’s songs have been
placed in television (Joan of Arcadia) and film (Tiny
Tears, Not Broken). An up-coming 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
concerts and festivals he presents special programs on songwriting
and Prison Ministry. John also performs popular school assembly
programs, workshops and family concerts.
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.