Gorge Guide

TYLER FORTIER DUO

February 3, 2012
9 p.m.
CEBU Lounge
Hood River, OR
 

Blues-Rock, Alt.-Country 

Portland, Oregon native John Bunzow has been called one of the finest roots writers-musicians on the current music scene. Producer Pete Anderson (Dwight Yoakam, Meat Puppets, Steve Forbert) said he is “…without doubt the best artist I've heard in recent times.” Chicago Tribune columnist Jack Hurst credits Bunzow with mixing “the rootsy with the revolutionary.”

Following his Liberty Records label release, Bunzow divided his time between playing guitar for alternative country artists including Chris Knight and Allison Moorer, and writing for Famous Music. Bunzow has had his songs recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Patty Loveless, and artist Jack Ingram (produced by Steve Earle/Ray Kennedy). His songs have been included in major motion pictures. As a performer, Bunzow has played Farm Aid and at the Grand Ole Opry. He has been featured in videos and programming on CMT. He has opened shows for or shared the stage with such varied acts as Leon Russell, Gregg Allman, Bruce Cockburn, John Hiatt, Patty Griffin, Kim Richey, Gov't Mule, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Iris Dement, Todd Snider, Rodney Crowell, Carl Perkins, Roy Clark, Allison Krauss, Porter Wagoner, Freddy Fender, Ricky Skaggs, Jim Messina, Radney Foster, Joe Diffie, Trisha Yearwood, Gillian Welch, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young. He has toured Switzerland, Germany and England, as well as other parts of Europe. He continues to tour extensively in the Pacific Northwest. John has also played on countless recordings as a studio guitarist.

John Bunzow's most recent release is Alive at O'Connor's. Stylistically, the songs range from roots rock and R&B to modern folk rock. The production on most songs is very sparse – highlighting John's introspective writing, as well as his strong and unique vocals. This latest CD is getting extensive airplay on XM Radio (X Country) and in foreign markets including Holland, England, and Switzerland.