Fremont John

It is with profound professional pride and pleasure that we thank you for the incredible performance and experience this past Friday. It was a stellar, ‘first class’ performance. We do our best to bring performers of the highest quality to our community and “Fremont John” fit right in…the audience loved you and the band! You had us totally captivated with your great stage presence and original tunes…it was an unforgettable experience. And, you generated enough electricity to light up this whole town!
We’ve had tremendously positive feedback from the audience and the only question is, “when will you be back?” Now that you’re part of the Dogwood Center family of entertainers, we hope you’ll put us on your schedule again for July 2011 when you return to Michigan!
You, and each member of your band, have been blessed with the wonderful gift of music and we wish you fun and profound success throughout the year.
PS~ Every song on the both the Timeline and Acoustic Thunder CDs are worth listening to again and again…and we’re anxiously awaiting the release of Guitar Songs.
Positively,
Diane Yonker
Program Manager
Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts - Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts

Some absolutely superb string work from Fremont John & friends... 10 great tracks featuring his guitar and keyboard work. If it's laid-back with a truly "continental" vibe you're lookin' for, try out "Europa"... a bit longer than many at 7:36, but it's a genuinely vibrant tune that displays a love for life & the living of it! For those listeners who want nothin' but instrumental bliss, this is absolutely the ticket. Many of the tunes take me back to an earlier & gentler time in our history, when many of us wanted to do little but sit 'round & make music... nothing like the hectic pace of life today, and John's talent shines through in his ability to inspire you to kick back with him & the other players joining him on the CD. My favorite piece was "Slippery When Wet", probably 'coz of th' bluesy ride to oblivion it takes you on... a truly "sweet" tune! I give this one a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for listeners across all spectrums, with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get more information at www.fremontjohn.com - ImproviJazzation Nation

Contact:JanetCastiel
Phone:(212)543-9998
Email:info@redwoodentertainment.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Singer-songwriter Fremont John Releases Instrumental Guitar Songs CD

April 21st, 2009 – New York, New York – With a format change that most musicians and singer/songwriters are not able to do, singer-songwriter Fremont John proves once again the complexity and depth of his talents. Guitar Songs, his fourth studio album is a strictly instrumental CD that was released in January of 2010.

Guitar Songs, is one of many “firsts” for Fremont John. It is his first all-instrumental CD and his first project serving as co-engineer along with sound engineer Robert Caldwell. On Guitar Songs, Fremont John is backed by some of the music industry’s most experienced players such as Michael Carden on Percussion and Fermando Saunders on bass (Eric Clapton, Lou Reed, Jan Hammer and Jeff Beck.) Guitar Songs also features Fremont Jon’s first published solo finger-style composition, “Peace.”

The impetus for “Guitar Songs” came from fans requesting “more guitar” with many suggesting an all-guitar album. The changes suggest a whole new direction for Fremont John toward jazzier, lighter material than the deeply insightful “Timeline” CD that preceded. This new material is very original and very fresh.

Fremont Johns’ new album, Guitar Songs will be his first since 2005’s “Timeline”. Additionally, a fifth CD is also close to completion with release set for late 2010. ###

For more information about Fremont John please visit: www.fremontjohn.com

Contact: Janet Castiel
Redwood Entertainment Inc.
Phone:(212)543-9998
info@redwoodentertainment.com - RedwoodEntertainment.com

Published: Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 3:46 p.m.

Artist: Fremont John (vocals, guitars, composition)
Base of operation: Sarasota/Key West

Style/genre of music: Singer-songwriter

Bio: This Michigan native packed up and moved to Key West nearly 10 years ago following a dream to sing and play acoustic guitar in paradise. Just don’t ask him to play Jimmy Buffett — he doesn’t know any and refuses to learn. An electric rock guitarist primarily — he claims Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page as early influences, but not Buffett. That didn’t change when John switched to acoustic soloing. In Key West, John receives countless strange gazes (“as if I’m from another planet,” he said) after informing travelers there he doesn’t play Buffett songs. But, he’s also gotten standing ovations, in addition to steady work that continues today — even after moving to Sarasota in 2004. A prolific composer, John’s song “Contrarian” captures his good-natured defiance. His 2006 disc, “Timeline,” draws one to thoughtful harmonics and vibrant finger-picking styles even as his soothing tenor lifts the lyrics.
Quote: “I usually have something to say, you know, of a positive nature; encouragement, and urging people to maybe step out of their shells and their fears and out of the things that hold them back.”
Where playing: 3 p.m. Sunday at Englewood’s Stump Pass Grille, 260 Maryland Ave., Englewood. Free. 697-0859.
Where to buy CDs: At his Web site, plus most physical and cyber retailers, including Tower Records, Virgin Megastores, CDBaby.com, iTunes and Napster.
Web site: fremontjohn.com
— Dawn Scire, dawnzig@hotmail.com

- Sarasota Herald-Tribune,

The Parrot JANUARY 2009 Page 19
Thursday 1st -Happy New Year!!

It is fitting that I start the year off with this month’s feature local artist Fremont John.
This singer-songwriter has a unique melodic sound that is mesmerizing. His lyrics invoke
a positive message about living life to it’s fullest, and giving it all you’ve got! He is a breath of fresh air and is a great addition to the local music scene…

Fremont John Ashton’s rich musical
background comes from almost 20 years of classical piano training and nearly as many years on trombone. Upon completion of his “formal schooling”, Fremont John went on
the road playing lead guitar, keyboards and singing with rock band, InnerVision. The group toured the Midwest and surrounding areas for several years playing large college
bars and opening concerts for Rush, Iron Butterfly and Styx. InnerVision was under the management of Paul Stanley from
Detroit, who also promoted acts, such as Kiss, Aerosmith, George Carlin, Fleetwood Mac, REO Speedwagon and many others.

Spring 2001 brought a request from
management at The Bull in Key West for Fremont John to expand his solo performance with a band. Touring continually throughout
the state of Florida, John plays at least, 200 gigs per year while steadily broadening his
worldwide fan base. It’s a fan base that took root during his 6 years of daily performances on Duval St. in Key West. There, in 2003,
he was doing up to 15 shows per week! He currently boasts over 3,000 people on his e-mail list and connects with another
2,500 online via MySpace and FaceBook as well as several other music networking sites. In 2006, he was the #1 Top-booked artist at SonicBids.com beating out over
100,000 member artists! He continues to rank steadily in the Top-20! He has been featured multiple times on Tampa’s large
public radio station, WMNF-88.5FM.

A powerful songwriter, Fremont John shows immense respect for his audience by sculpting songs with intelligent lyrics, and resonant messages. A TAXI reviewer
recently wrote, “songs…show a vast understanding of writing, arranging, and overall musical wisdom.”

His song-demo wowed NYC record
producer Larry Baeder, leading to the 2006 indie CD release, “Timeline”. Two
songs from that CD, “No Pity On Me” and “Devil’s Dune” were semi-finalists in the 2006 Dallas Songwriters Assn. songwriting
contest. Neil Young ncludes “Devil’s Dune” on his web site and, the song appears on several compilation CDs sent to our troops
in the Mid-East. A national radio campaign for “Timeline” resulted in FM airplay in many cities while global airplay comes via
hundreds of Internet stations.
Lucky for us, he has found our slice of paradise and now bounces back and forth between SW FL and The Keys.

You can catch him at many local venues including;
Stump Pass Grill and Lock & Key Restaurant in Englewood, Gatoz in Port Charlotte, Woody’s River Roo in Ellenton, Cha-Cha Coconuts in Sarasota, and Snook Inn on
Marco Island, so far…

Look in this issue’s Live Band Listings for times and further
details.

Instrumentation
SOLO: Fremont John - Vocals and Taylor Ac. Guitars.
DUO: Fremont John w/Mike Carden,
congas and small percussion
TRIO:Bubba LowNotes - Bass, flute & vocal
- Randy Morrow – Drums - OR, Mike
Carden - Congas, Drums, percussion, voc.

Contact info: Studio phone: (941) 952-5051
Cellphone: (305) 849-3112
e-mail: fremontjohn@fremontjohn.com
alternate e-mail: fremontjohn@yahoo.com
Web sites: www.fremontjohn.com and
www.myspace.com/fremontjohn

Discography
Acoustic Thunder - Released 1999 Solo
Project with former Alias band members.
Lightning Strikes The Bull - Released 2002
Live CD with Acoustic Thunder Band
Featured Band:
By Jack Gray Fremont John - The SWFL Parrot

Okay, a show of hands - how many of you would quit your day job as an oil industry higher-up to play guitar and sing in Key West bars? Not too many, I assume, which makes Fremont John Ashton's story all the more intriguing. This guy has led an enviable double life as entrepreneur and musician, ostensibly using one to justify the other; and as of recently, he became a full-time Sarasota resident. Timeline, 12 songs culled over the past few years of gigging by himself and with his former classic rock outfit Alias, is a rare find among local CDs. First, the execution is top notch - Ashton must've spent a small fortune hiring crack session musicians and backup singers - and second, the songwriting is both expansive and experienced, neither relying solely on hackneyed rock chord progressions (the fate of many an older performing songwriter) nor alienating audiences by being too deep for its own good. While some songs occasionally invite comparisons to '70s prog rock, Timeline overflows with enough consistent, melodic riffs and rhythms to make you wonder why Fremont John didn't instead call the album Timeless. (www.fremontjohn.com)
- Weekly Planet Tampa - Mark Sanders

Fremont John Ashton dropped everything ,to pursue his dream of a music career. He's now living the dream and is back home for the WSCC performance.


BY MElISSA MCGUIRE DAilY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Florida-based musician Fremont John, known to many locally as Monty Ashton, is working with 10 area musicians this week
as they prepare for a show Sarurday at West Shore Community College's Center Stage Theater.

Ashton, a Ludington na­tive, brings his bluesy, classic rock style to the stage with a six-piece band and four backup vocalists, Dave North on guitar, Jason "Har­vey" Hargreaves on bass gui­tar, Roger "Hooey" Tarczon on drums, Mike Luusua on keyboards, Mike Carden on percussion, Jim Frost, Char­lotte Betka, John DeMint and Michelle Kiessel on vocals, and Matt Sly as sound en­gineer.

They'll be performing Ash­ton originals - music from his past CDs and from two upcoming releases - and a few covers, from Seals & Crofts' "Summer Breeze" and the Allman Brothers' "Sweet Melissa" 10 America's "A Horse With No Name."

"There will be some instru­mental music," said Ashton. "It will be a mix, the first half will be mostly solo or duo, and the second half will be the full band."

He returned to the area and performed at PM Steamers with area musicians a couple of years ago, which he said the audience en­joyed.

The show Saturday should be another hit with the crowd.

"It will be an exciting mu­sical evening, a wonderful homecoming, and a time for family and reviving friendships," said Rick Plnmmer, director of the West Shore Community College arts series.

Ashton's given name is Fremont John Ashton, with "Monty" the nickname he had growing up. Ashton said he decided to use Fremont John for his music because it "had more of a ring to it."

Ashton grew up in Ludington and lived and worked in the area for years, but also spent some time away from the area.

"I left in 1972, went to Michigan State and then moved back from 1989- 1999. My w1fe and I had the Gra­nary and the Java Shoppe on Ludington Avenue," he said.

"When I was in town, even though the business was do­ing really well, I wasn't," said Ashton. "I was on anti-depres-
sants and the rest of my life was crumbling, that's when I left here. My wife and I split up (and have since reunit­ed) and it was just me, all I wanted was to play guitar and sing."

Ashton said he knows he could have done anything else to make money, but he wanted to live the dream. Now that is one of the mes­sages he shares in his music.

"People get away from do­ing what they want to do," Ashton said.

Ashton played 15 years of classical piano and went to Michigan State for his music, but didn't finish because of an opportunity he was given to tour with a rock band, In­nerVision, at that time. The group toured the Midwest and surrounding areas for years, playing large college bars and opening concerts for Rush, Iron Butterfly and Styx. InnerVision was under the management of Paul Stanley from Detroit who also promoted acts such as Kiss, Aerosmith, George Carlin, Fleetwood Mac, REO Speedwagon and many oth­ers.

"Then I got married and decided I needed. a real job so I became a banker and I did real well, " said Ashton. He also worked as a car F&I manager and went back to bank­ing, then worked for environmental firm ProAct Senices before risking everything and moving to Key West.

"I played 52-card pickup with my life, I dropped every­thing," said Ashton.

When writing music now, Ashton said he likes "music with a message." He uses his experiences, such as when he got his start in music, as material.

NOW WHAT?

Ashton still plays in Key West one week a month, al­though he's not a resident there anymore.

He now calls Sarasota home.

Ashton is currently work­ing on two CDs, a guitar instrumental, and one with _ vocals.

"I started out doing one in Key West a couple of years ago. We recorded a bunch of rhythm tracks - drums are a pain to record," said Ashton.

The albums are "coming together nicely," and feature a lot of guitar work.

"I have a distinctive guitar style and people were ask­ing for more guitar," said Ashton.

While in Key West, he had a weekly dueling guitar gig at The Bull with Alphonse Subarsky, formerly of New Jersey-based Party Dolls.

When he comes back to town, he likes to take the drive on M-1l6 out to Lud­ington State Park.

"I am addicted to the drive out to the state park," he said. "If' I had more time I would hike in there. I just love the look of the ride out there. I usually don't have enough time to do much."

He said if he can't get to the state park, he at least goes through the beach at Stearns Park.

THE INDUSTRY

"It is nothing like it was 10 to 15 years ago," Ashton said of the music industry.

He promotes his music online now. "I have a Facebook and MySpace that I use," said Ashton. He says the MySpace is more music ­friendly because he can up­load songs to it easily.

"Facebook is great for personal networking," said Ashton.

He said besides the two, he has several other sites he puts music on.

"There are so many I can't keep up with the profiles," said Ashton. "There are two fan sites people made for me on MySpace though, which is cool.

Ashton said he has fans all over the country, many of them from playing in Key West because so many peo­ple from all over the world visit the country's southern tip.

"The Internet has changed everything," Ashton said.

"If I know the zip code, I can type it in and ask people to add me as a friend and listen to my music before I go and play a show. And most likely' then, they will come to the show."
- Ludington Daily News

Released in late 2009, “Guitar Songs” is the fourth CD by Fremont John Ashton (fifth if you count his “Demo” CD, which is no longer available). John is based in Sarasota but is perhaps better known for his time in Key West where he was a fixture on the local music scene prior to coming to our part of the state. “Guitar Songs” was recorded in response to the request that John gets from listeners who want to hear more guitar (and, really - can you ever get enough guitar?). He recorded the CD in his home studio and was engineer and producer of the disc. The CD mastering and packaging was done by Disc Makers and this is up to their usual high standards.

On his new CD, John is accompanied by Michael Carden (percussion) and Fernando Saunders (bass). In a twist from the usual guitar trio set up, John plays only acoustic, there is no drum set used and there are no vocals either. The CD has 10 tracks, 9 written by John and one cover song; Santana’s “Europa”. John’s sound is clean and his acoustic lead tone is wonderful; clear and crisp but also warm. He can shred a bit, but thankfully
sticks to tasteful melodic lead playing over top his balanced rhythm guitar parts. John plays two Taylors on this recording and is effects free (more folks should follow his example here). And, most importantly, he resisted the urge to over compress the recording. Can we all please lighten up on the
compression?

John is an accomplished player with lots of gigs under his belt and it shows in his tasteful playing and tight but fluid arrangements. Fernando (bass) is an accomplished musician in his own right, who has played with many signed acts and is a good complement to John’s guitar playing. While I appreciate the decision not to use a drum kit on the recording, I have to admit I would have liked to hear more drive out of the rhythm section in spots.... But we have John’s other CDs for that! If you like the
“Sounds of Wood and Steel” series, you will enjoy this CD. If you haven’t heard of “Sounds”, start with Volume 1 (Vol. 2 is pretty great, but Vol. 3 was a let down).

John’s music is available at his web site (www.fremontjohn.com) as well as CD Baby, Reverb Nation, and at one of his many gigs. He is working on his next CD, “Contrarian” and is looking for street team members (I know you are out there - you can sign up at www.reverbnation.com/fremontjohn). If you
enjoy melodic acoustic guitar, buy this disc and support local music.



Published March 1, 2010 in TheBayBuzz.org

To subscribe to The Bay Buzz go to www.thebaybuzz.org

The Bay Buzz - NEWS FOR THE LOCAL MUSICIANS IN TAMPA BAY - The Bay Buzz

Music with a Message: Fremont John

by Dick Conklin


His rich voice is a pleasure to listen to, and that's the point: you want to listen to hear his message, because much of Fremont John Ashton's music is as thought-provoking as it is easy to listen to. The Lansing, Michigan native currently spends his time between. Sarasota and Key West, and can currently be found around town at Sloppy Joe's or Finnegan's Wake.
Fremont John sometimes plays cover songs, like Bobby McGee, Layla, Lay Down Sally, or the ever-popular Mustang Sally. But his best music comes from the heart - songs he has written about the Keys (Duval Street, Tidal Wave), the war (Devil's Dune) and other things he feels deeply about.
"I usually perform about a dozen original tunes per show;' he says. "My cover tunes usually consist of a variety of 60s and 70s classic rock, with some blues. We might stick
in an occasional tune from the 80s or 90s."
His musical background began with some twenty years training on classical piano and
trombone. He attended Michigan State and then went on the road playing lead guitar, keyboards and singing with rock band, InnerVision. The group toured the Midwest for several years playing college bars and opening concerts for Rush, Iron Butterfly and Styx. Unfortunately, that band broke up "when' we rolled our trailer on an icy road and smashed up all our gear," he says.
He moved to Key West in '99 and became a solo performer at many bar and restaurant venues throughout the Keys. Two years later, Fremont John and his.band Acoustic Thunder
-
started playing at The Bull in Key West,
drawing a contingent of regular fans. The band's self-produced live CD, "Lighting Strikes The Bull" was released the following year. According to John, the name ''Acoustic Thunder" came from a nickname' he picked up thanks. to a Key West entertainment writer named Fast Eddie, after he attended his first Fremont John gig. He wrote an article head¬lined ''Acoustic Thunder at the Bull."
Next he hooked up with New York produc¬er Larry Baeder to record his third CD, "Timeline," featuring music he calls "woven
from personal experiences' and messages of the heart and soul.".
He has been performing. professionally "most of my life .. My first paid gig was a wedding reception at the age of 14. My first public performance was at a community home show around age 5 1/2 or 6." Along the way he worked at careers in banking, the auto business and environmental contracting.
A yet-to-be-named fourth CDis currently in the initial stage, and some new songs have been written for it, including Angel In Black, The Eagle, and The Message.
My favorite bands continue to change," he says. "I tire easily of bands and sounds and styles, so I move around a lot. Some that have' stuck with. me over the years. include Joni Mitchell, Santana, Acoustic Alchemy, Eric Clapton, America, Pink Floyd; The Beatles, Weather Report, and Horowitz on piano, playing Chopin or Beethoven or Mosourskey's' 'Pictures At An Exhibition.'• There are so many, many more."
Fremont John is a full-time musician with many other interests. "I am a seeker of Truth and Enlightenment - listen to my songs. I've read a great deal on those topics by authors including Casteneda, Yogananda, Hay, Gawain, Dyer, Dali Lama, N.D. Walsh, Chopra and many others. I am a rather deep thinker and consider myself a philosopher. I've also read a lot of Ludlum, Mishner, Grisham, JRR Tolkien, all the Harry Potter books to date. I like Tolstoy's War and Peace '!lid Homer's great works like The Iliad and The Odyssey. I'm currently reading the New
Testament." -.
John also loves movies, "especially Fantasy and Sci-Fi. I used to be into books about the Mafia. I do a regular Tai-Chi workout routine. I enjoy snorkeling when it's good. I love to travel. If I'm in Michigan in the winter, I'll criss-country ski. I love nature and to just be in the forest. I spend a lot of time on the com¬puter networking my music. I love red wine and cooking on the grill. I also like 'fringe' beers. Just like my taste in music, my taste in beer is eclectic and it changes frequently."
Fremont John and his band bring his eclec¬tic music to Sloppy Joe's on Sunday, June 4 at 5:30 pm. He will be there through June 6. On June 8 he starts a three-night solo gig at Finnegan's Wake, playing at 8 pm each night.
He can be e-mailed at fremontjohn@fre¬montjohn.com. His Web site at fremon¬tjohn.com contains some great audio tracks (our personal favorite is Tidal Wave). While you are there, sign-up for his e-mail newsletter. His agent in the music business is Redwood Entertainment in New York City, (212)543-9998.
- The Key West Weekly

Contact:JanetCastielFORIMMEDIATERELEASEPhone:(212)543-9998
Email:info@redwoodentertainment.com
FremontJohnatWestShoreCommunityCollegeCenterStageTheater–LiveinScottville
NewYork,NYApril7,2009–Singer/Songwriter/GuitaristFremontJohnwillbeperformingliveatWestShoreCommunityCollegeCenterStageTheaterinScottville,MichiganonMay2nd,2009at8:00PM.
FremontJohn’smostrecentCDrelease,“Timeline”hasbeensuccessfulwithanationalradioandpublicrelationscampaign.Hishighchargedandheartfeltmusicianshipcreatesenoughelectricitytolightupasmalltown.
"Hesingslikeamanonamissionofpurpose!"saysEdgarStruble,MusicDirectorforthe2008CountryMusicAwards.ATAXIreviewerrecentlywroteofJohn'soriginaltunes,"hissongs...showavastunderstandingofwriting,arranging,andoverallmusicalwisdom."
NeilYoungincludedJohn'ssongaboutoursoldiersinIraq,"Devil'sDune"onhiswebsite"LivingwithWarToday".JohnemceedthefamousKeyWestSongwriterFestival,sharingthestagewithsomeofNashville'stopsongwritersincludingMarkSelby"BlueonBlack"andGrammywinner,TiaSillers"IHopeYouDance".
Don’tmissthisopportunitytocatchFremontJohnattheFremontJohnatWestShoreCommunityCollegeCenterStageTheater–LiveinScottville
FremontJohnbeginsperformingat8:00PM.
WestShoreCommunityCollege
CenterStageTheaterislocatedat:3000NorthStilesRoadScottville,MI49454231-845-6211
FormoreinformationaboutFremontJohnpleasevisit:www.fremontjohn.com
Contact:JanetCastiel
RedwoodEntertainmentInc.Phone:(212)543-9998info@redwoodentertainment.com - Free Press Release (www.free-press-release.com/news/200904/1239113595.html)

Fremont John's treatment of the songs in his new, all instrumental collection is often light and lively, always meticulous and masterful, from a career showman who commutes regularly between Sarasota and Key West to entertain a sizeable league of followers in both local markets. Ten songs in all, one called The Storm might easily be seen as a sequel to his vocal Storm Warning that wound up at #69 on last year's Top 100 on MTB. Various tracks display the artist’s easy command of the instrument with serene and tranquil renderings, punctuated at times with thunder and lightning, that all make for an adventurous listening experience. Titles like Peace, Slippery When Wet, and the pre-lease to the CD currently in the Big Bay 99, Heavy in the Middle all serve as testament to an artist who may be Tampa Bay's most seasoned and professional original singer/songwriter. One track deserves special mention, said to be the artist's favorite, and the only cover in the collection - a Santana tribute called Europa, that showcases an extraordinary talent in a package given a plain and simple title, Guitar Songs. Its all in this week's Feature Artist spotlight, on MTB. - MusicTampaBay.com