John Bohlinger (entertainer)
Encyclopedia
John Bohlinger is an American musician and writer who works primarily in television as a band leader/music director for NBC's program Nashville Star
and The GAC Network's series, The Next GAC Star, the 2009/2010/2011 "CMT Music Awards
", CMT's Christmas Special featuring "Larry The Cable Guy
" as well as PBS's "The Outlaw Trail",
In addition to his work in music, John is a contributor and co-editor of A Guitar and a Pen, Stories by Country Music's Greatest Songwriter, published by Center Street, a division of Hachette book group. John also writes a monthly column entitled "Last Call" for Premiere Guitar magazine and writes reviews for American Songwriter magazine.
and Bette Cobetto Bohlinger. During high school his parents withdrew him from public school and sent him to the Hun School of Princeton
, where he graduated. Bohlinger began his undergraduate studies at the University of Montana, quit school after two years to work at a school and orphanage in Honduras, then returned to finish his bachelor's studies at Columbia University
, where he graduated magna cum laude in English literature and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society
.
Though he was awarded a full fellowship to Columbia's Teacher's College, John returned to Montana with his family where he became a part-time faculty member in the English department at Eastern Montana College. While teaching at Eastern John worked toward a Masters in Education but left the program to pursue his music career.
John Bohlinger is best known as the band leader for 6 seasons of NBC's hit program Nashville Star and music director for the "CMT Music Awards
" 2009,2010, 2011. John originally moved to Nashville to pursue a song-writing career but soon found guitar playing a more stable means of feeding his family. John became the consummate Nashville sideman; he has accompanied over fifty major label artist throughout his tenure in Nashville including Miranda Lambert, Jewel, Sheryl Crow, Little Big Town, The Commodores, Luke Bryant, Bret Michaels of Poison, Sara Evans, Leann Rimes, Hank Williams Jr, Kenny Rogers, Justin Hayward (of The Moody Blues), Tanya Tucker, Lamont Dozier, The Beach Boys, Randy Owen of Alabama, and many others. A versatile multi instrumentalist, John has recorded master sessions on electric and acoustic guitars, bass, pedal steel and mandolin.
Songwriter:
Hundreds of John's musical compositions play continuously on television. John's songs have also been recorded by major and independent label artists.
Writer:
In 2001, John left the music business and worked toward a PhD in psychology at Tennessee State University. Unable to completely leave the arts, John began pitching a book idea entitled A Guitar and a Pen eventually enlisting his friend Robert Hicks as a partner. The book of short stories by Nashville songwriters was eventually published by Center Street in 2008.
John writes a monthly column entitled "Last Call", a somewhat comedic, instructional guide to earning a living as a musician in the music business. "Last Call" gives the readers a stage-right view of the stress, the fun, and the Spinal Tap
pish insanity of playing for a living. Although working and aspiring musicians comprise the main demographic, music fans are drawn to his column as well.
On November 30, 2008, John married singer/songwriter/musician "Megan Mullins
". The couple lives in Nashville.
"The Delta is a Mystery" The Bendegos
Nashville Star
Nashville Star is an American reality television program. It was transmitted during mid-2008 on NBC, following five seasons on USA Network. It premiered on March 8, 2003, and its five seasons on USA made it the longest-running competition series on cable television. In Canada, the show aired on CMT...
and The GAC Network's series, The Next GAC Star, the 2009/2010/2011 "CMT Music Awards
CMT Music Awards
The CMT Music Awards is a fan-voted awards show for country music videos and television performances. The awards ceremony is held every year in Nashville, Tennessee, and broadcast live on CMT. Voting takes place on CMT's website, CMT.com.-History:...
", CMT's Christmas Special featuring "Larry The Cable Guy
Larry the Cable Guy
Daniel Lawrence Whitney , better known by his stage name and character Larry the Cable Guy, is an American comedian, actor, and former radio personality....
" as well as PBS's "The Outlaw Trail",
In addition to his work in music, John is a contributor and co-editor of A Guitar and a Pen, Stories by Country Music's Greatest Songwriter, published by Center Street, a division of Hachette book group. John also writes a monthly column entitled "Last Call" for Premiere Guitar magazine and writes reviews for American Songwriter magazine.
Early life and education
John Bohlinger is the son of Montana lieutenant governor John BohlingerJohn Bohlinger
John Bohlinger, Jr. is the current Lieutenant Governor of Montana. Bohlinger for lieutenant governor ran as a Republican on a bipartisan ticket headed by Democrat Brian Schweitzer...
and Bette Cobetto Bohlinger. During high school his parents withdrew him from public school and sent him to the Hun School of Princeton
Hun School of Princeton
The Hun School of Princeton is a private, coeducational, secondary boarding school located in Princeton Township, New Jersey, United States. The school has a Princeton, New Jersey mailing address. The school serves students from grades 6 through high school. Currently, the headmaster is Jonathan...
, where he graduated. Bohlinger began his undergraduate studies at the University of Montana, quit school after two years to work at a school and orphanage in Honduras, then returned to finish his bachelor's studies at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, where he graduated magna cum laude in English literature and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society
Phi Beta Kappa Society
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an academic honor society. Its mission is to "celebrate and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences"; and induct "the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at America’s leading colleges and universities." Founded at The College of William and...
.
Though he was awarded a full fellowship to Columbia's Teacher's College, John returned to Montana with his family where he became a part-time faculty member in the English department at Eastern Montana College. While teaching at Eastern John worked toward a Masters in Education but left the program to pursue his music career.
Career
Musician:John Bohlinger is best known as the band leader for 6 seasons of NBC's hit program Nashville Star and music director for the "CMT Music Awards
CMT Music Awards
The CMT Music Awards is a fan-voted awards show for country music videos and television performances. The awards ceremony is held every year in Nashville, Tennessee, and broadcast live on CMT. Voting takes place on CMT's website, CMT.com.-History:...
" 2009,2010, 2011. John originally moved to Nashville to pursue a song-writing career but soon found guitar playing a more stable means of feeding his family. John became the consummate Nashville sideman; he has accompanied over fifty major label artist throughout his tenure in Nashville including Miranda Lambert, Jewel, Sheryl Crow, Little Big Town, The Commodores, Luke Bryant, Bret Michaels of Poison, Sara Evans, Leann Rimes, Hank Williams Jr, Kenny Rogers, Justin Hayward (of The Moody Blues), Tanya Tucker, Lamont Dozier, The Beach Boys, Randy Owen of Alabama, and many others. A versatile multi instrumentalist, John has recorded master sessions on electric and acoustic guitars, bass, pedal steel and mandolin.
Songwriter:
Hundreds of John's musical compositions play continuously on television. John's songs have also been recorded by major and independent label artists.
Writer:
In 2001, John left the music business and worked toward a PhD in psychology at Tennessee State University. Unable to completely leave the arts, John began pitching a book idea entitled A Guitar and a Pen eventually enlisting his friend Robert Hicks as a partner. The book of short stories by Nashville songwriters was eventually published by Center Street in 2008.
John writes a monthly column entitled "Last Call", a somewhat comedic, instructional guide to earning a living as a musician in the music business. "Last Call" gives the readers a stage-right view of the stress, the fun, and the Spinal Tap
Spinal Tap (band)
Spinal Tap is a parody heavy metal band that first appeared on a failed 1979 ABC TV sketch comedy pilot called "The T.V. Show", starring Rob Reiner...
pish insanity of playing for a living. Although working and aspiring musicians comprise the main demographic, music fans are drawn to his column as well.
Marriage and children
He married the former Sherrie Love, a visual artist, painter and sculptor; the couple has since divorced. They have a son, August Bohlinger, born 8/28/1987. August, a gifted musician/artist/writer in his own right, died of a drug overdose on May 3, 2007.On November 30, 2008, John married singer/songwriter/musician "Megan Mullins
Megan Mullins
Megan Mullins is an American country music singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. At age eighteen, she made her debut on the country music scene with the single "Ain't What It Used to Be," a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts...
". The couple lives in Nashville.
Filmography
- Little GiantsLittle GiantsLittle Giants is a 1994 family comedy film, starring Rick Moranis and Ed O'Neill as brothers in a small Ohio town, coaching rival Pee-Wee Football teams.-Synopsis:...
(1994) - songwriter, "She Ain't My Baby Anymore" - Joy Ride (2001) - performer/songwriter: "If You're Gonna Leave Me, Can I Come Too"
- Nashville StarNashville StarNashville Star is an American reality television program. It was transmitted during mid-2008 on NBC, following five seasons on USA Network. It premiered on March 8, 2003, and its five seasons on USA made it the longest-running competition series on cable television. In Canada, the show aired on CMT...
(2003-), Band Leader/ Music Director/Composer - Next GAC Star (2008) Band Leader/ Music Director/Composer
- The Outlaw Trail (2008) Featured Performer/ Songwriter
- "CMT Music AwardsCMT Music AwardsThe CMT Music Awards is a fan-voted awards show for country music videos and television performances. The awards ceremony is held every year in Nashville, Tennessee, and broadcast live on CMT. Voting takes place on CMT's website, CMT.com.-History:...
" 2009, 2010, 2011 - Music Director/Band Leader/Composer
Published works
- A Guitar and a Pen co-edited with Robert Hicks and Justin Stelter (Center Street, 2008)
Songs
- "Buy Our CD", performed by Joey + RoryJoey + RoryJoey+Rory is an American country music duo composed of singer-songwriters Rory Lee Feek and Joey Martin Feek, who are husband and wife. Joey is the duo's lead vocalist, while Rory sings background vocals and plays guitar. The duo was the third-place finalist on CMT's competition Can You Duet in 2008...
Album Number Two - "Gone Either Way", performed by Ray Scott Warner Bro.Ray Scott (singer)Carlton Ray Scott, Jr. is an American country music artist. He started his first band at age 19, and later moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend the Music Business Institute. After receiving an associate's degree, he moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he started another band before moving...
- "Just Someone You Used to Know", performed by Megan MullinsMegan MullinsMegan Mullins is an American country music singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. At age eighteen, she made her debut on the country music scene with the single "Ain't What It Used to Be," a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts...
- "Almost Like You're Still Here", performed by Megan Mullins
- "Next Time I Fall in Love", performed by Ashley Ray Universal
- "Honey Do", performed by Wylie and the Wild West ShowWylie GustafsonWylie Gustafson is an American singer-songwriter who has toured nationally and internationally with his band, 'Wylie & The Wild West'...
- "She Ain't My Baby", performed by Kostas Capital Records Nashville
- "Just Like the Moon", performed by John Arthur MartinezJohn Arthur MartinezJohn Arthur Martinez is an American country music artist. Martinez finished in second place on the first season of the USA Network talent show Nashville Star...
- "Girl from Tennessee", performed by Trent SummarTrent Summar & The New Row MobTrent Summar & The New Row Mob is an American country music group from the state of Tennessee. Its members comprise Trent Summar , Ken McMahan , Dan Baird , Dave Kennedy , and Michael "Supe" Granda...
- "Too Busy Being Blue", performed by Trent Summar
- "The Outlaw Trail", performed by Suzy BoggussSuzy BoggussSusan Kay "Suzy" Bogguss is an American country music singer. In the 1980s and 90s she released one platinum and three gold albums and charted six top ten singles, winning the Academy of Country Music's award for Top New Female Vocalist and the Country Music Association's Horizon Award.After...
and Lee Roy ParnellLee Roy ParnellLee Roy Parnell is an American country music artist. Active since 1990, he has recorded eight studio albums, and has charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts... - "Here Lies an Outlaw", performed by Del CastilloDel CastilloDel Castillo is a Latin rock band based in Austin, Texas. The band's name comes from the last name of two brothers, Rick and Mark del Castillo, who founded the group.-History:...
- "The Ballad of Cherokee Bill", performed by Cowboy TroyCowboy TroyTroy Lee Coleman III is an American musician, better known by his stage name Cowboy Troy, who performs country rap. He is a member of the MuzikMafia, an aggregation of country music singer-songwriters whose membership also includes Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson and James Otto...
- "Look what love has Done" Jon Pousette-Dart
"The Delta is a Mystery" The Bendegos
- "On My Way", performed by John Bohlinger. ESPN: "THE COLOR ORANGE". Produced by Kenny Chesney and Shaun Silva.