JOHN MONNECKA: 
A MUSICIAN WITH AN IRON WILL AND A TENDER HEART

“One more day, one more chance to run the race.
One more lie to live, one more obstacle to chase.

John Monnecka, The Truth

He “hooked” me halfway into the introduction of his first song.  The way he fingered the neck of his Ovation 12-string practically defied the laws of physics.   

Then he sang. 

His voice filled up every corner of the room.  Strong, soulful, and spirited.  A natural. I knew I had just found a very rare talent. “Where’s this guy been?” I said to my friend, as we bellied up to the crowded bar at The Great Notch Inn, in northern New Jersey.  “He’s unbelievable.” “I know,” my friend said.  “He’s great.  He’s a great guitarist.  He’s got a great voice.  And he writes great songs.  He’s got everything.” And John Monnecka does seem to have everything.  Everything, that is, except a “number one hit.”  But, I don’t think he’ll have to wait much longer for that.

photo Joe Barbieri John Monnecka is a "very rare talent."

Last Sunday night, his song, “Hello” was played for the first time on Q104.3 FM radio.  That opportunity was a result of two very successful shows that John performed at The Stone Pony, in Asbury Park.  This past June, John opened up for Edwin McCain there.  The turnout of John Monnecka fans was so overwhelming, that he was asked back by the Stone Pony to open up for The Marshall Tucker Band on July 20^th.  Again, he had an overwhelming turnout of devoted fans.

But John always has an overwhelming turnout of devoted fans.  In fact, this ambidextrous player performs seven days a week in north Jersey and New York City.  Playing a mix of original songs and covers (to some of which he lends his own humorous lyrics), John belts out “the truth” (which also happens to be the title of his 1998 CD) like no other performer I’ve seen.

Maybe that’s because John’s not afraid to tell the truth.  He’s a storyteller, who courageously reveals his story, leaving no detail, no matter how personal, untold.  In fact, his originals are some of the most sensitive and heart-wrenching songs I’ve ever heard. 

You don’t expect such “softness” and “honesty” from such a “fierce and fiery” performer.  That’s part of his charm.  He hands you his heart and then melts your heart in the process.  He’s “got the guts” to spill his guts.

photo Joe Barbieri John Monnecka on guitar, Amy Dickinson on tambourine at the Stone Pony in July.

I’ve seen both women and men stand frozen in place, as John performed his song, “You Don’t Love Me Anymore” (affectionately referred to by his fans as “Track 8”).  It’s his music’s almost “androgynous” quality that sets him apart from a lot of other performers.  He can cut through the toughest guitar part as if it were butter, bringing cheers from “The Tough Guys.”

And then he’ll reach down into the deepest part of a heart, and turn it to butter, bringing tears from “The Girls.”  (After his Stone Pony performance of “You Don’t Love Me Anymore,” one of my girlfriends asked me for a tissue.)

What’s amazing is that John is only thirty-two years old.  But, he’s been playing guitar since he was only six.  A self-taught musician, he was influenced early on by The Beatles and VanHalen.  John went on to learn tunes from hundreds of performers, making his “cover song act” both eclectic and limitless.  One look at his “Request List” quickly assures you that everyone in the audience will leave happy. 

But, John just doesn’t “cover” a song.  He molds it into something that almost becomes a “John Monnecka Original.”  In my opinion, some of his “covers” actually surpass the original artists’ versions.  (His cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” is worth a trip out on a Tuesday night at midnight to hear.  It’s that incredible.)

John’s also got an incredible sense of humor.  I’ve often commented that he could be a “stand-up comedian,” if he ever heard the calling.  His quick wit and ability to “work a crowd” is unmatched.  This guy has it all.  It’s astonishing that so much talent could be packed into one man.

And this one man does it alone.  Few solo musicians can draw the crowd and then keep them there, without a band behind them.  But John is such a solid guitar player, and such a strong performer, and such an entertaining personality, he doesn’t seem to need anyone behind him.  All he seems to need is a “break.”  His fans are hoping that his recent appearances at The Stone Pony, last Sunday’s airplay on Q104.3 FM, and the release of a new CD, John Monnecka, due out at Christmas 2001will be just that.

John Monnecka belts out “the truth”

But John’s not afraid to “chase obstacles.”  And with the way John’s musical career is going these days, there may not be many more obstacles to chase.

For more information about John Monnecka, visit his website at:
 www.johnmonnecka.com

You can purchase John’s CD’s at John’s shows or through the mail.  Send $18.00 (Certified Check Or Money Order).  Please Do Not Send Cash!!! CD price is $15.00 + $3.00 shipping and handling to: 

John Monnecka
PO Box 43414
Upper Montclair, NJ 07043