This site features the latest news about one of Washington DC's most talented Freeform American Roots musicians

Johnny Bonneville

"The Traveling Man", "The Storyteller", "The Entertainer", "The American Minstrel", "The Busker"; Johnny Bonneville has more than 25 years of experience doing almost every job you could think of in music. But the entertainer inside him just wants to sing. Johnny started out as a skateboarding punk rocker and political activist years ago before writing his first songs for "The Burning Spirit". (circa 1990's). But in 1994, when Johnny turned thirty he decided to trade a job and college for a nomadic journey across the United States. Eventually settling in Berkeley California he became a street performer and open mike musician before returning to Washington DC in 1999. Besides playing music and travelin', mother nature has always been one thing Johnny keeps close to his heart and his songs often reflect upon this theme.

The Duet Perform

Until recently Johnny performed with his partner Fiddlin' Phil Swaby as a guitar & violin duet. The performances blended a tasty gumbo of traditional musical styles recognized as "Freeform American Roots". The idea began at a dinner party several decades ago when Johnny pulled out a classical guitar and asked Phil to help arrange some recently collected folklore material. The energy and ideas soon became lucrative and soon they began to perform original songs at the Grog & Tankard, a legendary right of passage for many DC area rock musicians during the 80's & 90's. After more than a year of weekly gigs the duet decided to make a studio recording of their music.

Recorded Material

The first recording project began in January 2002 with the help of Ronnie Orencia and Dancing Alien Studios in La Plata Maryland. After a nearly a year the duet released their first CD, "Songs About Devils, Farms and Trains" and also selected 7 songs from their Georgetown performances for a second CD, "Live At The Grog & Tankard" (Entropress 2003). Other recorded performances include, "REIGNITE-IT! Greatest Hits Of The Smoke-In" (Entropress 2005). "A Tribute To Huddie Leadbetter (Leadbelly)" (Entropress 2006) and "Live At The National Zoofari" (Entropress 2004).

Unreleased Recordings Available Online
1.) "Callin’ In A Hen" by Johnny Bonneville on Myspace

2.) "Oyster Shell Blues" by Johnny Bonneville performed at the National Mall Spill Into DC Rally on Youtube

3.) "Like A River" by Kate Wolf recorded at Dancin Alien Studios on Youtube

4.) "Bourgeois Blues" by Huddie Ledbetter performed at the Lincoln Memorial for FODFEST on Youtube
5.) "Buffalo Gal" by Johnny Bonneville in the film “It’s A Wonderful Horrible Life” by Paul Bishaw
 

Current Projects

Phil Swaby has been performing regularly in the Myrtle Beach NC area for the past few years and living a comfortable life.

Johnny Bonneville achieved a long time goal of performing on a U.S. Tour in 2010 when he opened for H R of the Bad Brains on the “Hey Wella Tour”. Johnny still performs in the Washington DC area and is currently producing a new full length recording, "Trouble Don't Spell The Blues".

Booking Info

For more information please visit www.johnnybonneville.com or contact (Bookings and Interviews Only)

johnnybonneville@hotmail.com or call 202-705-8647.

Copyright 2012 Entropress Entertainment Group