Area Entertainment: John Ford Coley

John Ford Coley explained to me that when he was six years old he would pretend to play the piano sitting on the barbershop chair while his daddy was getting his haircut. He was trained in classical piano. He loves to listen to orchestras, operas and symphonies. They are so warm and can strike a chord with him. The family listened to the Grand Ole Opry. John’s hobbies have been photography and all that goes with it—horses, metal detecting, eclectic things, he doesn't like staying still. John stated to me that he has always had an appreciation of various music. At the age of fifteen, he was able to get into the band. John told me that he felt that God reached down and kissed him on the head and told me to go have fun with it. Sharing that when he got in the band - Theze Few, (England) Dan didn't want him in the band. Dan and John attend the same school. They didn't get along for the longest time, but would go to different concerts together to develop their sound. They eventually formed a bond that was as strong as brothers. He stated that they could read each other on stage so much. Elton John took them under his wings, then the group Bread, then Three Dog Night and so forth. He shared about how being on the road can make or break a band. 

John reminisced with me about his past life, all the fun times, sad times, happy times and the good times of life in general and performing with so many different groups and in various places.

We talked about the different regions with all the varieties of ways and accents. We both laughed because he is a Texan, living in the Nashville area. And me coming from the grasslands of Kansas, and living now in Branson. We visited about so many things, everything from the beginnings, to family, to traveling, being in a band, to religion, to life in general, it's hard to cover them all. 

I asked him if he's ever been to Branson and he said that it had been a very long time ago. The last time that he was here he played with Terry Sylvester of The Hollies. During the show John stated, "The last time I was in Branson, Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai!" The audience loved it. This man has humor!" He stated that he isn't planning on retiring anytime soon. He loves to see the country; he travels the same as John and I. When he gets to go out and travel, he will stop and see all the historical sites and signs, historical cemeteries and abandoned places. He wants to visit with people and explore what has been created. He has made such an inspiration on his kids about traveling this way, that when they were with their mom sightseeing, she didn't explain things the same way he did.

John was sweet to share so much of his personal life with me. He spoke about his genealogy and how his family has such deep roots to the Jamestown 1622 massacre.  John is also an author, songwriter, actor and performer. His book, "Backstage Pass," is very good.

Ambrosia and John are traveling together on several dates. John has some of his own. He stated that they will play with some upcoming symphonies and that he was excited about that.  

While at the Branson concert, Ambrosia, John Ford Coley, Peter Beckett, Joe Puerta, Elliot Lurie—this was a wonderful blast from the past! I am so blessed to attend these concerts, then write about them.

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