John Neff (musician)

John Neff

Neff playing guitar
Background information
Origin Columbus, Ohio, United States
Genres Americana
Alternative Country
Ambient music
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Guitar
Pedal Steel Guitar
Vocals
Dobro
Lap Steel Guitar
Years active 1993 – present
Associated acts Drive-By Truckers
Star Room Boys
Japancakes
David Barbe and the Quick Hooks
Barbara Cue

John Neff is an American musician based out of Athens, Georgia. He is most known for playing guitar and pedal steel guitar.

Background

Neff is originally from Columbus, Ohio and moved to Savannah, Georgia when he was 11. He moved to Athens, Georgia in his early twenties, at which time he started playing pedal steel guitar, for which he is better known.[1][2] He received his first guitar at age 9 and began learning how to play, and began his music career when he arrived in Athens, Georgia.[3] Some of his influences include BJ Cole, Buddy Emmons, David Lindley, and Lloyd Green.[4]

Musical history

Some of Neff's earlier bands include the Chasers, Lona, Redneck Greece Deluxe, Star Room Boys, Barbara Cue, and Japancakes,[4] operating out of Athens, Georgia. Japancakes is still active, releasing their most recent album Japancakes in May 2016.

Neff playing pedal steel guitar

Over the course of his musical career, he has performed and recorded with bands including The Allman Brothers Band, Bloodkin, Phosphorescent, Jerry Joseph, Superchunk, and Widespread Panic.[4] He has also been involved with David Barbe and the Quick Hooks, Jack Logan and the Monday Night Recorders, and The Dexateens. He has appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon twice, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Later... with Jools Holland, the Late Show With David Letterman[5] and Conan.[6] He also recorded on Bettye LaVette's Grammy nominated album The Scene of the Crime.[7] Neff was also a founding member of Eye Candy with Shonna Tucker, which released an album in 2013. Some other bands he has recorded with are Bo Bedingfield and The Wydelles, Superhorse, The Judge and The Jury, Producto, Papercranes, Jason Isbell, Vic Chesnutt, and Call and Response. Other associated acts include The Weight, The Eskimos, The Burning Angels, Norma Rae, and Future Lives.

Neff was a founding member of the noted band Drive-By Truckers and appears on their first two albums, Gangstabilly and Pizza Deliverance.[1] He rejoined the band in 2006 and was a member until 2012. In his time with the band, he was in the albums Decoration Day, Brighter Than Creation's Dark, The Big To-Do, Go-Go Boots, and The Fine Print: A Collection of Oddities and Rarities. The band was also featured on Booker T. Jones' album Potato Hole,[8] which won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at the 52nd Grammy Awards in 2009[9]

Neff is currently involved in a Concerto for Rock Band with Strings with noted R.E.M. bass player Mike Mills featuring violinist Robert McDuffie that will perform in places such as Toronto and Rome[10] with an upcoming tour of the states.

References

[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

  1. 1 2 DeYoung, Bill. "John Neff & Shonna Tucker keep on truckin'".
  2. ↑ "Malcolm Holt's 'Sunny Side of the Street' Interviews from the World of Entertainment: In Conversation With – John Neff (Shonna Tucker & Eye Candy / Ex. Drive-By Truckers)".
  3. ↑ "12 QUESTIONS WITH JOHN NEFF – Reverend Guitars".
  4. 1 2 3 "John Neff".
  5. ↑ "Steel Guitar News: John Neff and Drive-By Truckers".
  6. ↑ Demko, Paul (June 7, 2006). "The Drive By Truckers were on Conan O'Brien last night. I was going to watch it, but fell asleep on the couch.".
  7. ↑ "The Scene of the Crime – Bettye LaVette – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic".
  8. ↑ "Booker T. emerges from his 'Hole' - USATODAY.com".
  9. ↑ "Past Winners Search".
  10. ↑ "Late night TO with Mike Mills, Robert McDuffie and Lots of Friends: – R.E.M.HQ".
  11. ↑ "12 QUESTIONS WITH JOHN NEFF – Reverend Guitars". Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  12. ↑ DeYoung, Bill. "John Neff & Shonna Tucker keep on truckin'". Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Steel Guitar News: John Neff and Drive-By Truckers". Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Latest Minneapolis & St. Paul News and Events – City Pages". Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Booker T. emerges from his 'Hole' - USATODAY.com". Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Past Winners Search". Retrieved July 27, 2016.
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