Williamsport Singer to Bring 'Street Music' to Cafe

MANSFIELD -- With "a relentless song stampede of love that tramples all anguish," recording artist and "Singer at Large" Johnny J. Blair will perform Friday, September 17th at Ten West Espresso Cafe, 23 N. Main Street in Mansfield. Music starts at 7:30PM.

Having performed in legendary venues from CBGB's to The Fillmore, Blair's music is described as "more singing, less blinging" and "a burst of soul, with urban irreverence, romantic abstraction and bittersweet spirituality." He said, "Here's my job: play music with so much passion that the audience breaks some off and takes it home with them." With a melodic mix of punk energy, old school soul, and sunny pop, Blair's set includes "ironic cover tunes pulled out of the hat" from glam-rock to spirituals to standards to Motown, coupled with originals from his many recordings.

Spotlight Magazine dubbed Blair as "the Harry Houdini of the music world." Earcandy.com called him "a delightful entertainer."

Blair was born in the Susquehanna Valley but moved around the country. Part of his time in California was spent working as a bicycle messenger in San Francisco. He said, "I was on the street ten hours a day, seeing the best and the worst in people. I called it 'the asphalt ballet.'" He lyricizes over everything from abuse to baptism to slapstick comedy to coffee addiction ("I'm a certified caffeine-aholic").

Putting on an energetic performance is one of Blair's trademarks. He has shared the stage with Howie Day, The Dead Kennedys, Bob Geldof, Chris Isaak, Stephen Stills and others. Blair frequently records and tours with Davy Jones of The Monkees. "I've learned immeasurable amounts of stagecraft from David," noted Blair.

Blair is currently in Mind's Eye Studio (Williamsport) working on his next full-length release, I LIKE THE STREET. The project will contain the title song as well as the You Tube hit "If I Could Dress Like Clive Owen," a cover of Velvet Underground's "What Goes On," and other songs he often performs live. He recently reissued the 25th Anniversary edition of his first album DOOR IN THE WATER, and he's writing a fiction novel that ties together George Gershwin, Che Guevara, New Wave rock music culture of the late seventies, and bike messengers of San Francisco.

Soundclips can be heard at www.johnnyjblair.com and on Blair's "Singer at Large" Facebook musician page.

At Ten West there will be a $2 cover for adults and $1 for children. CDs will be sold. Call 570-662-2979  or go to www.fineartsforum.org.