John Ford

About John Ford

It’s pre war blues, old school country, southern gospel and the history behind the music. John Ford assimilates the blues of the 1920’s and 30’s, the blues of Robert Johnson and Son House, a bit of 1940's country and a pinch of gospel rhythm, and comes up with his own brand of the roots experience.

Ford has been writing since his early teens, growing up in New Richmond, Ohio a small river town 20 miles east of Cincinnati. “Whether it be songs I’ve written or an old song from the 1930’s, I play what I fall in love with. Many times people ask if I’m doing all original music; sometimes I do, depending on the venue, but sometimes it’s just an old Son House song or a new Chris Smither song that people have never heard, that I consider to be a great song.”

John recently released his newest album in September of 2016. Titled "The John Ford Blues Society", his first full length album, comprised of 10 tracks, it has some of the best musicians in Cincinnati playing along.

John recorded the 2014 EP "Songs From Room 414" at The Gunter Hotel in San Antonio Texas – the hallowed ground where Robert Johnson recorded 16 out of his 27 songs in November of 1936. His first EP, “Injection of the Blues” was released in 2011. In 2015, John was nominated for a CEA (Cincinnati Entertainment Award).

Over the past few years he has performed at "Shack Up Inn" in Clarksdale Mississippi, Tallahatchie Flats in Greenwood, Mississippi, The Black Bear & The Purple Fiddle in West Virginia, Alive at Five @ WDVX in Knoxville & “The Bluebird Café” in Nashville, as well as opening for Cedric Burnside, Patrick Sweaney & Damon Fowler.