User:Bugbird

John David Schrader is an Amercian Songwriter/Singer/Multi-instrumentalist/Producer. John hails from Kingston, NY: a small city just north of NYC. His love for music started at an early age when he would dress up like Elvis Presley and put on little shows for his Mom and Dad. Upon finding an old box of 45 records in his mom's attick filled with artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Chuck Berry and many others, John was hooked! He started his formal musical education in the 3rd grade when he began playing the violin. The drums followed in the 4th grade. While in High School, John started teaching him self guitar and piano while still playing drums in the school band and outside of school in his band from Woodstock, NY that never had a name! While earning a degree in music w/ a concentration in Composition/Performance, John added vibes, guitar, bass, piano and some woodwinds/brass to his abilities. John also earned a degree in media production w/ a concentration in Film/Audio/Video production/post-production and has worked in NYC for years in film/audio production. He now owns his own studio (JLS Sound) and recently opened his own production company (Bugbird Productions) where he scores instrumental music for film/tv. John is an active member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and owns his own publishing company - Mahmnic Music Publishing through ASCAP. John has recently been accepted into the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences - The Recording Academy (Grammy's). He is also a member of Soundexchange. John holds degrees in Music Performance/Education and in Media Production (Film/Video/Audio). John's writing began in strength upon his diagnosis of cancer. John's music reflects the pains of losing from a young age - the long climb up from what some call a dead end town - a constant struggle to "tell his story." The loss of his father to cancer at age 9 was to be the rocky start that would shape John's views on life. The loss of his Mother Lorraine was devastating for John. But that's just what he writes about - his loss - his life. His song's are his "slice-of-life." Their themes of pain, struggle, anger and yearning to "get out" yet still embracing with pride, the streets and places that shaped him are palpable.

John was 21 when he was diagnosed with aggressive testicular cancer and was given time frame of 5 years after the surgery as a gage for his survival rate. John's song "Funny Man" came as a result of this time in John's life. That song was featured on a benefit CD ofr cancer survivors through the organization I2Y. I2Y Founder Matthew Zachary says of John, "It's pretty common knowledge that music is a universal language that transcends time, race, religion and pretty much everything else. What isn't common is how often a musician comes along with the purest of creative instinct, the deftness of a fine craftsman, the passion of love's greatest gift and the soul-churning anguish of life-altering medical experience and harmonizes those collective influences into something truly original. It has been my distinct and humble pleasure and honor to not just be a fan of John Schrader but a personal friend as well." After John was considered in remission, he began slowly piecing together his own studio and trying to rebuild after his set backs. To this day, JLS Sound (Named for his Father's initials) is where everything is laid down. John is a multi-instrumentalist and usually performs all the vocals and all the instruments on all of his recordings. John's first CD, "From Discontent", was recorded and mixed by John at JLS Sound also and from there, he went to Nevessa Productions in Woodstock, New York to master it with Chris Andersen. John shot, directed, and edited three music videos from the album. In 1990, 1992 and 1996, he was a semi-finalist Billboard and Musician Magazine's songwriting competition. John has worked on film projects that have garnered him the Videographer Award and the Communicator Award. John's Second CD "Blood In The Wood," has achieved airplay on radio stations in the US and overseas. " John's music has been sold or downloaded in well over 20 countries and every state in the USA and is now featured on Apple I-Tunes, CD BABY, Amazon, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records and many other download sites. John is an active member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and has won mutliple ASCAP awards for his songwriting and composing. John was also accepted into The National Academy of Recording Arts and Science (NARAS) in 2015. John Schrader has been making his mark in clubs from Woodstock, NY to NYC, New Jersey and Connecticut. He has kept great musical company lately…playing with members of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Johnny Winter, Peter Gabriel, Rod Stewart, Sting, The David Letterman Band, Billy Joel, Shania Twain, Indigo Girls, Macio Parker, Al Green, Southside Johnny and Leslie West, Van Morrison's Band, Muddy Waters Band, Bo Diddley, Blood Sweat and Tears, Rare Earth, Little Sammy Davis (Imus in the Morning), and Miles Evans (Son of Gil Evans) to name a few. Are we droppin' names? You bet your ass!! ;-)

John's 3rd CD, "Daylight Crashing" recieved great reviews and press! His song "Shock" off of Daylight Crashing has been awarded by the International Association of Independent Recording Artists (IAIRA) as a "Certified International Top 100." John's music has been put into rotation on radio stations across the US and overseas! John's brand new CD "21 Summers" was released to critical acclaim. Currently, it is OFFICIALLY on the 1st round ballot for Best New Rock Album for The 59th Annual Grammy Awards. John’s 4th CD “21 Summers” was balloted by NARAS for “Best New Rock Album” for the 59th Grammy’s and was awarded Album of the Year by the International Singer Songwriter Association in 2021. John is currently finishing up his 5th CD “Everything You’ve Never Said.” John had scored several soundtracks for independent films and TV/Radio commercials. John composed the musical soundtrack for a film by Director Yat-Hong Chow called "China." The film was awarded "Best Fiction Film" and "Best Original Soundtrack" at the 1997 City Visions Film Festival in New York City. John is been involved in all aspects of production for Film, Video and Audio -- production, post production, etc. John also taught media production at The State University of New York at New Paltz. John has worked on many films behind the scenes as well as in front of the camera. John can be found at www.johnschrader.com