User:In The Puddles/sandbox

John Andrew Wilson (born July 12, 1971), known professionally as John Andrews, is an American singer, guitarist, composer, and former trivia game show writer and announcer. Andrews started performing as a teenager in 1988 as lead vocalist for the garage band Reliance, followed by the heavy metal band Angry Man, which generated interest for a record deal for their breakout song “Shock Holiday” in 1995. He then formed the rock band Mooch Puppy that recorded their best-selling album Anywhere But Here in 1996. Andrews dropped a solo album, Revolver, in 1999 before forming the John Andrew’s Acoustic Freak Out Band for a successful run in the Appalachian Region. He then formed the band Beechcraft Bonanza band in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Andrews also was the announcer and a writer for the popular music trivia game show, Bandelirium, recorded at the Cave in Chapel Hill, North Carolina from 2007-2008 before turning to a solo career as a singer songwriter.

Life and Career
John Andrew Wilson was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the youngest of three siblings. His father, Donald G. Wilson, was an FBI agent and security expert for domestic and international terrorism, while his mother Frances Pedrick Wilson was a teacher’s aide. Andrews’ early years moved him to four different cities by the time he was in grade school which brought on feelings of isolation and loneliness, for which he found an artistic outlet through poetry and songwriting. As a teenager, with his family finally settling into the suburbs of Chicago, he joined the garage band Reliance as lead vocalist, which also featured Donovan Cleveland on bass, guitarists Aaron Marx and Brad Simon, and Brian Swizlow (FATBÖL) on drums.

While Andrews went on to earn his Associate Degree in Photography and Media Arts at College of Lake County, Illinois in 1989, he continued pursing music, infusing his poetry into the harsh lyrics and sound of the heavy metal band Angry Man, which featured guitarists Eric Seiler and Dan Stromstedt, Jim Crane followed by Dave Fuller on bass, and Kurt Fliecher on drums. Angry Man broke up but then was offered a record deal for the song “Shock Holiday”. Andrews reformed the group as Mooch Puppy, which featured guitarist Dan Stromstedt, Kurt Fletcher on drums, and Rob Leondard on bass, releasing their best-selling album Anywhere But Here, which hit the airwaves in 1997.

Andrews went solo and moved to West Virginia, where he formed an avant-garde sound unique from any other male singer, crafting his own emotional lyrics around the vocal melody and releasing his first solo album Revolver in 1999, with hit songs including re-released “Shock Holiday”, “Words”, “Boundaries”, and “Soldiers Song”. Also, “A Thousand Times” and the live version of “Come To Me” broke the Top 10 on The River 102 Marietta / Parkersburg and Andrews had performances on the NBC affiliate morning news.

Creating quite a following in the in the Appalachian Region, Andrews then formed the John Andrews Acoustic Freak Out Band, an eclectic rock band featuring Terry McGee and James Greathouse of Mo Bigley. Performing over 400 shows in their first year, his band attracted a continuous flow of guest appearances, including, but not limited to:

⁃ Guitar Shorty of James Brown

⁃ Roy Clarke Jr.

⁃ Brian C. of Steppenwolf

⁃ Brian Nutter (Nutter Guitars) of Mo Bigley, Keith Urban, Dirks Bentley, Lady Gaga, and others

Andrews then moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, forming the eclectic rock band Beechcraft Bonanza, including percussionists Vanessa Vincent and Jill Baldwin, Samantha Carr on keyboards, Tone Pham and Michelle Cerimuga on trumpet, Mark Peurifoy on drums, Randy Polosi on saxophone, John Pardue on guitar, Don Henze (of Roger Daltry) on drums, and many others.

He also did backing vocals for the Two Dollar Pistols - Hands Up! produced by Brian Paulson and released In 2004.

After hitting a level of burnout on the road, Andrews shifted his creative outlet to announcing and writing for the local trivia game show Bandelirium in 2007-2008, hosted by Chris Bess (“Crispy”) of Southern Culture on the Skids, recorded live at the Cave in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on ZTV.

Creatively rejuvenated, Andrews moved to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and spent the next decade writing and playing his avant-garde music in more intimate venues to feel the connection to his audience. Something about that environment changed Andrews and his passion for expression. His honesty for life.

Following the outbreak of Covid, Andrews moved back to the suburbs of Chicago to help his siblings care for an aging parent, where he still sings and writes.



Born
John Andrew Wilson

July 12, 1971 (age 52)

Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.

Professional Name
John Andrew Wilson

John Andrews

John Andrewz

Genres
Avant-Garde

Eclectic Rock

Heavy Metal

Occupations
"Singer • Songwriter • Composer • Scriptwriter • TV Announcer"

Instruments
"Vocal • Guitar • Bass"

Years Active
"1988 to present"

Family
"Private"

Websites
"https://www.reverbnation.com/johnandrews"