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Articles and quotes about John by writers,
journalists, musicians and friends.
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Dec 17 2009
Hey John,
"One
of my fondest memories is
that first time Kris played
the Troubadour with you
backing him up on that
beautiful blond Guild F50 -
you sold it to Bobby Womack
before I knew it was
available. Because of that
guitar, I named my
production company Curly
Maple Media. Great to
connect with you again, let
me know if you ever get to
Austin.
Matt Kramer"
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John Beland on His
High-Strung Tacoma Chief
By
Adam St. James
| June, 2006
John Beland’s email
handle is “sessionman,”
and with good reason. In
a career spanning five
decades he has laid down
countless tracks behind
many a legend, including
Ricky Nelson, the
Bellamy Brothers, Linda
Ronstadt, Gene Vincent,
Arlo Guthrie, Kris
Kristofferson, Dolly
Parton, and Ry Cooder.
Since 1980 Beland has
piloted the Flying
Burrito Brothers (he
says the band hung it up
in 2000, but there’s
always hope of a
reunion), while
continuing to record
with and produce dozens
of artists. Among his
producing credits are
the first country record
ever cut in Mainland
China, and some of the
final tracks by Buck
Owens and Waylon
Jennings.
Read the whole article:
Frets - John Beland on His High-Strung
Tacoma Chief
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John's
an
amazing
musician
who
always
comes up
with the
perfect hooks
and
signature
riffs
whenever
he is on
a
session.
He and I
have
been
best mates
for 4
decades,
and I
can
truly
say
there is
nobody
better."
Brian
Cadd
(Legendary
singer
songwriter
and
Australian
superstar
recording
artist) |
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We've known and used
John for over three
decades and he is simply
one of the best in the
business."
Howard and David Bellamy
/ The Bellamy Brothers |
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"John
Beland, a friend for
many years has been
the reason for much
of my success in the
songwriting
business. His
Original 'licks'
that showed up on
the hit records are
from John's demo's
he did for me. The
very original lick
on "FRIENDS
IN LOW PLACES" is just on proof of
his musical Genius.
He deserves the
Billboard #1. chart
award that I gave
him that is hanging
on his wall in his
studio instead of on
my own wall with the
other awards.
I used John
on all of my
songwriting demos.
Now, I'm lucky if I
can get him at all.
He's the best!"
Thanks again, John, you're the absolute BEST and
I'll kick anyone's ass that says different.
Tu amigo"
Dewayne Blackwell
CMA Writer of the Year
Writer of "FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES", I'M MR BLUE",
"I'M GONNA HIRE A WINO".
(writer of "Friends
In Low Places", "I'm
Mr. Blue" and "I'm
Gonna Hire A Wino
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Webbe & JB
onstage in
Brisbane,
Australia |
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I
have
done
4
albums
with
John
and
his
natural
instinct
for
what
works
for
an
artist
makes
him
a
pivotal
asset
for
any
country
music
project.
That
and
his
wonderful
guitar
work
made
these
projects
successful
for
all
the
artists
and
both
pleasurable
and
memorable
for
me”
Chris
Webbe
Producer
/
Performer
Australia
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"I've
heard
more
good
music,
told
more
good
stories
and
laughed
harder
and
longer
with
John
than
any
other
person
in the
world. I
love
this
guy, and
if you
get to
know him
you will
too.
I've
know,
respected
and
admired
John for
so many
years
that it
seems
like
forever,
and
that's
ok with
me"
Larry
Murray
(legendary
producer,
hit
songwriter,
founding
member
of the
Hearts &
Flowers" and
MC of
the
famed
Monday
Night
Troubadour
Hoots.) |
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Larry
Murray,
Bernie
Leadon
and JB. |
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Dolly Parton |
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John Beland is a great
guitarist with a unique voice
and a unique personality. I have
always hoped he would one day
become a star. I have also had a
big crush on him as he is one of
the best looking guys in the
business."
Dolly Parton.
(Dolly included
John in her top selling autoboigraphy)
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John is
a one of
a kind
guitarist
who has
become a
great
songwriter
in
recent
years.
His
talent
will one
day be
looked
upon as
exceptional."
JIMMY
BOWEN
(President
of MCA,
Capital
Records
and
Warner
Brothers
Records,
and
producer
of
Frank
Sinatra,
George
Strait,
The
Oakridge
Boys &
Reba
McIntire.) |
Jimmy
Bowen |
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Hugo Stranley, Harry
McGregor and JB in
the studio at New Hope,
Canada. |
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"John Beland has
worked with some
serious talent,
before he
ever got to me,
and his
credentials are
second to none.
I really did
have some
trepidation and
was I up to the
task of getting
behind a studio
mic in front of
him? My anxiety
was firmly
placed at the
studio door from
the first take
to the final
wrap. John has become
a real friend,
and honestly I
know I have become a better
vocalist
because of him.
His musical ear
is impeccable
and to sing to
his superb
arrangements was
a blast.As a fellow
Irishman, JB I
humbly say "Go
Raibh Mile Maith
Agat, and may
God continue to
bless you and
your incredible
talent.
Toronto radio
personality and
entertainer.
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Simply put the music is
great. While Beland
indeed kept the band's
original spirit alive,
he wisely updated the
vision, resulting in the
finest contemporary
country music of the
time. Songs such as 'She
Belongs To Everyone But
Me' just have the
special Burritos quality
but with a commercial
edge that all previous
lineups lacked in great
measure. It is my
considered opinion that
the Beland releases were
the finest in the band's
long history.
BURRITOMAN / AMAZON.COM |
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John if you ever
read this,
understand that I
hold you in the
highest regard. Your
music has meant so
much to me - it's
helped me through
some difficult times
in my life.
BELANDFAN /
AMAZON.COM |
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John Beland,
a friend for
many years
has been the
reason for
much of my
success in
the
songwriting
business.
His Original
'licks' that
show up on
the hit
records are
from John's
demo's he
did for me.
The very
original
lick on
"FRIENDS IN
LOW PLACES"
is just one
proof of his
musical
Genius.
He deserves
the
Billboard
#1. chart
award that I
gave him
that is
hanging on
his wall in
his studio
instead of
on my own
wall with my
other
awards.
Thanks
again, John,
you're the
absolute
BEST and
I'll kick
anyone's ass
that says
different.
Tu amigo,
Dewayne Blackwell.
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Dewayne Blackwell and JB
in the studio. |
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Beland himself is a
first - rate singer
- songwriter (just
listen to his vocals
on "San Fernando
Road" and Patton's
rendition of his
nostalgia laden
title track). In
addition I was
astonished to note
that Beland himself
served with one
Glenn Frey and J.D.
Souther in the
pre-Eagles
Longbranch
Pennywhistle, as
well as stints with
Linda Ronstadt and
Rick Nelson - his
credentials are
first - rate. The
jangling guitars are
reminiscent of
California Country
Rock at its best.
customer /
amazon.com |
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"Son's Of The Golden West" the
new release by the Flying Burrito
Brothers, is a stunning masterpiece
of sonic imagery. I didn't think the
FBB could soar much higher than
their last release, "California
Jukebox" but they break the sound
barrier on "Sons". Career member
John Beland's songwriting captures
both the halcyon spirit of the early
FBB and the authenticity that only
comes with decades of experience in
writing the bulk of the FBB's
greatest hits.
customer / amazon.com |
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In a world with so much
worthless music , the Burritos
are not just a breath of fresh
air. They are life support!
Although this may be blasphemy
to some, John Beland's version
of the band are the real
Burritos to me. On Songs Of The
Golden West, Beland leads the
group through a solid collection
of very well produced songs.
(With those wonderful rough
edges, of course)...
revstiles / AMAZON.COM
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