John Bohlinger - Interview

Tons of great talent has performed over the years on USA Network Series: Nashville Star, but there's only one talented performer that can actually say that they have been on stage and has performed every single season since the inception of Nashville Star and that's Nashville Star Band leader, John Bohlinger.

Just prior to Nashville Star entering its fifth season, we had a chance to sit down and chat with John, a multi-talented musician in is his own right.

Hi John and thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with us.

Can you tell us the background of how you got involved with Nashville star with the eventual forming and running of the Nashville Star Band?

John: When I learned about Nashville Star, I asked my friend Tracy Gershon about it and she put me in contact with Jon Small. Jon is an amazing talent and his company, Picture Vision rules the video awards every year. Not only is Jon a brilliant producer, but a great Musician.
I brought Jon a tape of six or seven television shows I did in the past and talked him into letting me put together the band for him and the rest is history.
We are now on our fifth season and though they've changed the judges, stage, hosts, etc... I've been the one constant. I'm very grateful to Jon, Jeff Boggs and Howard Owen for keeping me in there.

Can you list the names of all of the musicians that have been part of the Nashville Star band over the years?

John: This is the third season for the current band, which consists of: Megan Mullins, Pat Severs, Lee Turner, John Howard, Steve Mandile and Chuck Tilley. They are all wildly talented, wonderful people and I'm lucky to get to play with them.
A few of our alumnus are: Randy Threet- bass, Rich Loyd- bass, Hiedi Guthery-Fiddle, Jenny Ann Mannon- Fiddle, Carlo Marino- Drums, Smith Curry-Steel, and Dave Ristrum-steel.

What projects do you normally keep busy with in between the seasons of Nashville Star?

John: For the past few months, I've been touring with Megan Mullins, Chris Young, with the Nashville Star Tour and I just finished an album for, Farm2Market Records a new label out west. It was a fun project. Megan Mullins played on it as well as Lee Turner and Jerry Douglas.
I've also been working hard on the song-writing thing. I wrote a cool song with Ray Scott and Philip Moore more called "Gone either Way". It was Ray's second single on his Warner Bro's Record. Megan Mullins and I have written some great songs that will make it on her Broken Bow debut release and Trent Summar just released a new album that has one of our songs on it. Also, I played acoustics on Ray's album and mandolin and pedal steel on Trent's album.

John, we've watched you over the years play numerous instruments, exactly how many instruments do you play and which ones?

John: I play electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass, pedal steel, dobro, and harmonica.

Every musician has a favorite, which one is your favorite?

John: The electric guitar is my bread and butter, but it's fun to play mandolin and pedal steel too because I get sick of hearing myself play the same stuff.

Which instruments do you play the best?

John: Probably electric guitar.. On a good night I like how I play but on a bad night....it's dreadful.

You've played along side hundreds of famous musicians, who was your favorite and why?

John: I've been really lucky to work with some of the best musicians in the world. Any musical ability that I have, I've copped from these people. I don't want to name any names because I will inevitably forget some of the big ones and wouldn't want to hurt any feelings by omission.

Nashville is a crazy town when it comes to the music scene, how do you stay grounded?

John: I don't know if I am particularly grounded.

What is the best piece of advice could you tell aspiring musicians and performers?

John: Show up on time, play in tune, and lay it in the pocket.

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