I always get a kick out of reading the comments on the videos we post on YouTube. By and large, there are glowing reviews for John Fullbright. Most people are just amazed at his skill, his depth, and his sheer talent. Not to mention that he is an old soul in his early 20s. Music Fog has been lucky to have followed John for the last three years, the first time we taped him was at Folk Alliance 2009. I had already heard his name whispered by some mighty talented and well respected elders. When Jimmy LaFave brought him to our bus, I couldn’t wait to hear him. He didn’t have much time to be with us; I think it was only with us for two songs and then he had to race off to make it his next commitment. We all looked at each other when he left. Whoa, cool. And his Music Fog videos have consistently drawn views. The word is spreading that he is one to watch.
John Fullbright’s first full-length studio album, From The Ground Up, came out yesterday, hell yeah, at long last. It is everything I had hoped it would be, showcasing John’s prodigious talents; songwriting, singing, and instrumentally. The album release was a Kickstarter project, and was released on CD, digital download, and vinyl too!
It was three years ago that he burst upon the music scene with a live album recorded at the Blue Door in Oklahoma City. He is from Okemah, Oklahoma, which is also the home of Woody Guthrie and that would be just one of John’s influences, the others being Townes Van Zandt, Mickey Newbury, Randy Newman, and Jimmy Webb. Schooling aside, John is quite simply a prodigy. Here is the Music Fog recording of one of the songs from the new album. “Gawd Above” was filmed during our Spring Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s WHQ in March.
- Jessie Scott
