Music of John Gage


Visit this website...one of John\'s first with audio

Albums, Cassettes, CDs:



Down to Earth

Down to Earth
Country Folk
abt 1976


Produced by Turley Richards; Engineer: Wayne Veach
Recorded at Fultz Studios, Fairdale, KY (sometime before 1978)
underwriter: Tom Belak
LP
Cover Art by Carolyn Foster
Photographs by Rick Yasko at Down To Earth Pub, Bardstown Rd, Lou., KY.
"Label" : Mugtime Records
Musicians:
Bill Clark, guitar, fiddle, vocals
John Gage, guitar, dobro, vocals
Dana Gunnison, bass, vocals
Honkey Tonk Honkers, vocals on "Redneck Mothers"
Fancy Footwork: Peter McGrath

back of album Side One:
1. You\'re Still On My Mind (Roger McGuinn)
2. Tennessee Mountain Hideout (John Gage)
3. We Did It All Yesterday (Bill Clark)
4. Live and Learn (John Gage)
5. 25 cent Mugtime Barroom Queen (Bill Clark)

Side Two:
1. Small Town Waitress (Russell Gregory & John Gage)
2. Up Against The Wall, Redneck Mother (Ray Wiley Hubbard)
3. I Just Saw A Face (Lennon/McCartney)
4. E Minor Blues (John Gage/Bill Clark)
5. Jesus Christ - They Layed Him In The Grave (Woody Guthrie)



companyofsong

In the Company of a Song
John Gage
1985


produced by John Gage and Gary Falk; engineer: Gary Falk
Recorded at Falk Studio, Louisville, KY 1985
Cassette
Art: "Lady in Windows" by John W. Brown
Musicians:
John Gage, acoustic and electric guitars, lead and harmony vocals
Roger Culter, bass
Eli Lewis Hall, steel guitar
Bill Ede, harmony vocal on "Brother\'s Keeper"
Phillip Andre, keyboards, strings and things
Mike Alger, drums
Mark Englert, innovative percussion - timbales, steel drum, rain stick,
etc., harmonica on "Pastures of Plenty"

Side One:
1. Take Time to Watch Things Grow (John Gage)
2. Sold American (Kinky Friedman)
3. There\'s A Chill in the Air (Bill Ede)
4. My Brother\'s Keeper (Bill Ede)
5. Ripple (Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter)

Side Two:
1. Pastures of Plenty (Woody Guthrie)
2. Walter Mitty\'s Heroes (John Gage)
3. Highway in the Wind (Arlo Guthrie)
4. Make Way for the Light of Love (John Gage)
5. In the Company of a Song (John Gage)



stages

"Stages"
John Gage - balladeer
abt. 1989



produced by John Gage with technical assistance by Jim Welch (abt. 1989)
duplicated at Falk Recording Service
recording locations:
[1] - Flying Whale Cafe,
[2] - Phoenix Hill Tavern,
[3] - Tom Scroggin\'s House & Studio,
[4] - First Unitarian Coffee House
Cassette
Musicians:
John Gage, guitar & vocals
Vikki True, vocals
Ron Albers, flute
Bruce Krohmer, sax

Side One:
1. Take Time To Watch The Flowers Grow (John Gage) [4]
2. Larry\'s Song (John Gage) [4]
3. Silver Eagle Express (K. Friedman) [3]
4. Messin\' With The Spirits (Bill Ede) [2]
5. Jive (Bobby Darin)
6. Brother, Can You Spare A Dime (E. Harburg) [2]
7. Jesus Met the Woman (traditional) [2] - John Gage & Vikki True

Side Two:
1. Afternoon Shadows (John Gage) [3]
2. B Minor Soliloquy (John Gage) [3]
3. Three Mile Island (John Gage) [2]
4. Jaded Lover (Chuck Pyle) [1]
5. Eden Psalm (John Gage) [4]
6. Nobody Knows You (John Gage) [3]
7. Lonesome Picker\'s Demise (John Gage) [2]



ramblin

John Gage - Ramblin\'
Folk Songs for Ramblers
John Gage
1994


produced by John Gage
Recorded at Falk Studio, Louisville, KY 1994
Engineered by Tim Haertel
Johnette Productions, Louisville, KY. 1994
Cassette
Sleeve Design and Photography: Jeanette McDermott
Musicians:
John Gage - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Larry Davenport - Bass
dedicated to Elderhostelers who have sung these songs with me over the past seven years.

Side One:
1. Wild Rose of the Mountain
2. Jambalaya
3. Hard Travelin\'
4. Field Behind the Plow
5. L&N Don\'t Stop Here Anymore

Side Two:
1. Gonna Write Myself a Letter
2. Red River Valley/You Are My Sunshine
3. Feels Like It\'s All Coming Together
4. 20th Century is Almost Over
5. My Old Kentucky Home



earthheart

Earth Heart
John Gage
1997



Produced by John Gage and Larry Davenport, 1997
Engineered and Artistically Supported by Tim Haertel, TNT; mastered by Andy High
Recorded and Mixed at Falk Recording Studio, Louisville, KY
Cover Photo and Inside Art by Larry Davenport
Design and Disc Photo by Jeanette McDermott
Digital Pre-press by Christopher Flatt, Imageworks, Louisville, KY
Label: Johnette Productions; 1016 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY 40204; (502) 585-1566
Compact Disc
Musicians:
Vocal and guitar:
John Gage
Harmony Youth Vocals:
Barret Bell, 7th grade; Will Owen-Gage, 3rd grade; Laura Herman, 9th grade; Catherine McGeeney, 7th grade
Instrumentals:
Greg Acker, flute; Steve Cooley, dobro and banjo
Larry Davenport, bass and 8-string bass;
Gary Falk, saxophone; Phyllis Free, percussion
Will Owen-Gage (Track 11), vocal, percussion, triangle
Wally Hill, harmonica; Tom Jolly, trumpet and trombone
Andrew Karp, accordion; Mike Schroeder, mandolin
Scott Staidle, violin; Kathy Weisbach, jew\'s-harp

Songs:

1. EarthHeart...a village gathers (John Gage)
2. The Garden Song (Dave Mallet/ Add. Verse John Gage)
3. This Land is Your Land (Woody Guthrie)
4. A Place in the Choir (Bill Staines)
5. What Have They Done to the Rain (Malvina Reynolds)
6. God Bless the Grass (Malvina Reynolds)
7. Let it Be (Malvina Reynolds)
8. Promise of Tomorrow (John Gage/Jeanette McDermott)
9. Come Walk with Me (Jim Stolz)
10. Natural Way (John Gage/Jeanette McDermott)
11. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Trad./ Arr. John Gage)
12. Simple Gifts (Trad. Shaker)
13. EarthHeart (Reprise) (John Gage)



your way and mine

Your Way & Mine
John Gage and Bruce Krohmer
1999



Executive Producer: Sara Pratt, 1999
Artistic Direction and Arrangements: Steve Cooley, John Gage, Bruce Krohmer, Tim Haertel, Phyllis Free
Engineering: Tim Haertel
Mastering: Andy High
Photography: Vivian Knox-Thompson, Jeanette McDermott
Graphic Design: Christopher T. Flatt
1940 Ford Deluxe: Robert Macke
Recorded and Mixed at Falk Recording Studio, Louisville, KY
Label: Johnette Productions; 1016 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY 40204; (502) 585-1566
copyright, 1999
Compact Disc
webpage site from which to order: http://cdbaby/johnbruce
(the linked songs below may also be heard at the CDBABY site)

Songs:

1. Your Way and Mine 2. Silver Eagle Express 3. Spoon River 4. Fish and Whistle 5. I Never Lived in Tennessee 6. Friend of the Devil 7. Midnight to Morning Blues 8. Messin\' with the Spirits 9. I Shall Be Released 10. It Doesn\'t Matter Anymore 11. Lullaby for Lauren

Notes from the CD cover

From John Gage:

This voice/horn duet represents a quarter century of friendship that inspired performances in clubs and on the radio. "Your Way and Mine" is a tangible outcome of that musical partnership and close friendship. Beyond the duet, this project also represents a collaboration among a larger circle of friends, whose synergy also created "Homefront," a Louisville-based radio show that spanned a decade (1984-1994). The CD\'s title song "Your Way and Mine" was the radio show\'s theme song.

Many thanks to Steve, Mike, "Fog," Phyllis and Tim who time and again provide creative direction and stategic decision-making. Special thanks to Bruce\'s son, Damon Becker for his horn work and to my son, Geoff Gage, for an inspired bass line on "I Shall Be Released."

This album is dedicated to all our friends...the best gifts come from them, especially Larry Davenport, a gifted bass player, and Mary Gaynell Krohmer, a very special mother.

Of course, this recording would never have happened without Sara\'s support and belief in our abilities. "Thanks\' is not enough.


From Bruce Krohmer:

After hearing Western Swing for the first time in 1972, my ears were opened to a whole new world of music for the sax and clarinet. Although I continued to play jazz, classical, and rock for the next two decades, I also played in groups that featured this cross-over style, notably the Falls City Ramblers and the Buzzard Rock String Band. "I Never Lived in Tennessee" was written in 1951 by Cicil Brower and Jimmy Hall of Leon McAuliffe\'s Western Swing Band.

Playing along with John on bluegrass, jazz, folk, rock, and western swing tunes feels natural to me, and our relationship, both musical and personal, is a highlight of my life.

When my wife Sara became pregnant withour daughter Lauren I was inspired to play my clarinet for her before she was born. After one of these improvisations, this little melody emerged. I later expanded it and wrote bass clarinet, then flute parts, and it became "Lullaby for Lauren."



From "Your Way and Mine" by John Gage

There\'s a song that I sing to the lines on the highway
To the faces I have seen in the ramblin\' that is my way.
Singing in time with the band on the radio
In the rhythm and the rhyme, what I already know.


Traveling Light

Traveling Light
John Gage and Will Owen-Gage
2006, recorded live at the Oldham County Arts Center on August 5, 2006



Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Don Ernst; www.ernstaudio.com
Photographs courtesy of Gerald Heath
CD insert design by Image Artisan; bfriedland@iglou.com
Compact Disc
Musicians:
Vocal and guitar:
John Gage and Will Owen-Gage

Songs:

1. Going Down That Road (Woodie Guthrie)
2. Take Time (John Gage)
3. Chunk of Coal (B. Shaver)
4. Pastures of Plenty/Wafaring Stranger (Woody Guthrie)
5. Dudalaka Blues (John Gage)
6. On the Run (Will Owen-Gage)
7. My Love (Will Owen-Gage)
8. Midnight to Morning Blues (John Gage)
9. L & N Don\'t Stop Here Anymore (Jean Ritchie)
10. There Are Ways (John Gage)
11. I Shall Be Released (Bob Dylan)
12. Rainbow Race (Pete Seeger)
13. Rambliln Round/Goodnight Irene (Woody Guthrie/ Leadbelly)
14. Jive (Bobby Darin)

Inside comments by John and Will

Betweeen You and Me

Just Between You and Me
John Gage
2008

Executive Producer: John Gage
Co-Producers: Will Owen-Gage and DonErnst
Engineered and mastered by Don Ernst
Recorded at Donderosa Studio
Photography: Jim Battles
All songs written by John Gage except as noted
Cover and disc made in Louisville, KY
Compact Disc
Musicians:
Lead vocals: John and Will
Harmonies: Will, John, Bill Ede, Gail Wynters, Angela Perry
Ryhthm guitars: John and Will
Lead guitar: Will
Bass and Drums: Will
Piano: Pete Peterson
Steel Guitar: Eli Hall
Banjo: Steve Cooley
Cello: Kim Fanning

Songs:

1. Make Way for the Light of Love (John Gage)
2. Disclaimer Blues (John Gage)
3. Dudalaka Blues (John Gage)
4. I\'ll Be Here in the Morning (Townes Van Zandt)
5. I\'m Your Man (John Gage)
6. The Dance of Two Lovers (John Gage)
7. Love Minus Zero/No Limit (Bob Dylan)
8. How (John Gage)
9. There Are Ways (John Gage)
10. Freight Train (Elizabeth Cotton)
11. Afternoon Shadows (John Gage)
12. Long Time Coming (John Gage)
13. Metcalfe County (John Gage)

Inside......

Poem by John Soos:
. . . rake the fire of heaven
and earth
with your wounded heart.

Staying quiet is not for you;
make the melody of silence
innocent and true.
Let it flow from all
your emotion to change you
into what you must become:
A child of spirit.
Player, rake the strings!


Comment from John Gage:
Thanks to my production team: Don and Will;
my benefactors Fred, Tom, and John;
the community of friends in the \'ville and beyond.
In Memorium: Mom and Dad, Don Wigginton, and all who have booked passage on the train bound for glory.

 

Circles of Our Lives
John Gage
2021


Produced, mixed, and engineered by Aaron Bibelhaurser at The Quilted Window, Louisville, KY
additional engineering by Howie Gano, Louisville Recording Arts
Mastering by Donnie Bott, BBD Labs
Art and Design by Karen Boone.

The road we travel through the "Circles of Our Lives" is indeed, a "Holy Road" -- John Gage

These songs were written over the past 40 years and reflect the styles that have shaped my musical journey. A noteworthy crew of musicians and long time friends added their exceptional artistry to interpret the songs. The production process has been a sacred journey, and I\'m pleased to present "Circles of Our Lives."

Thanks to....
- Aaron Biblehauser for clear vision and excellent production work
- The artists who contributed their talent and creativity, my brothers
- Wendell Berry, for letting me borrow his poems and for his inspiring clarity
-A special thanks to the Louisville community. I am honored to have sung for YOU for 5 decades

In loving memory of Joy Marie

All songs written by John Gage copyright 2021
-Tracks 1, 3, and 8 lyrics by Wendell Berry
-Track 5 lyric by Larry Frazier

Songs:
1. Circles of Our Lives
2. Tie-Dyed in Indigo
3. All The Earth Shall Sing
4. Analog Side
5. Is It Gone
6. Circle of the Sun
7. Holy Road
8. Great Trees
9. Mighty Train

Musicians (in addition to John Gage)
Will Owen Gage (guitar), Eric Gage (backing vocal), Geoffrey Gage (backing vocal), Chris Douglas (upright bass), Aaron Bibelhauser (dobro, backing vocal, wurlitzer piano), Michael Cleveland (fiddle, mandolin), Adam Bibelhauser (backing vocal), Steve Sizemore (congas, bongos, maracas), Jesse Hall (drums), Mike Hood (piano), John Paul Wright (congas), Bruce Krohmer (tenor saxophone), Jeff Guernsey (fiddle), Steve Cooley (banjo), Mike "Fog" OBryan (accordion), Miles Davis (flute)


Some Biographical Notes including
Jeffrey Puckett\'s February 12, 2000 article in the C-J Scene
enlarged album covers
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