J.P. Soars

Last updated
J.P. Soars
Birth nameJohn Paul Soars
Born1969 (age 54–55)
Anaheim, California, United States
Genres Blues (previously heavy metal and jazz)
Occupation(s)Singer, guitarist, songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years activeLate 1980s–present
Website Official website

John Paul Soars (born 1969) and known professionally as J.P. Soars, is an American blues singer, guitarist, songwriter and record producer. In 2021, he was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the 'Contemporary Blues Male Artist' category. [1] A 2009 winner of the International Blues Challenge, Soars has released six albums, including 2019's collection, Let Go of the Reins. His backing band are known as the Red Hots.

Contents

One music journalist noted about Soars that "He's a very versatile guitarist who is well-versed in several different genres." [2]

Life and career

Soars has lived in Boca Raton, Florida since 1999, but was born in Anaheim, California, and moved to Cedarville, Arkansas, with his family at three years old. [3] [4] His father, John Martin Soars, who played acoustic guitar and harmonica, enjoyed the music of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Both his parents heard the latter's track, "If You Wanna Get to Heaven", and the young Soars recalled it being played regularly as he grew up. His father started teaching Soars to play chords on the guitar, when his son reached the age of 11. The youngster's tastes changed when a childhood friend introduced Soars to his cassette tape of Master of Puppets by Metallica, and they, along with Ozzy Osbourne, provided the soundtrack to Soars early teenage years. By the age of 16, Soars and his family relocated to West Palm Beach, Florida. The change in surroundings was profound, for as Soars entered 11th grade at Forest Hill Community High School, that student population alone was twice as large as that of Cedarville. [4]

In 1988, Soars got lucky and smitten in equal measure. In a raffle, he won both a Gibson SG electric guitar and two tickets to see B.B. King in concert. [4] [5] After enjoying with his father front row centre seats at the concert, Soars got to meet King backstage and had him sign the guitar. Soars recalled the meeting "He was very humble and he knew how to say things and handle himself so I felt comfortable and at ease around him. He just he had this way about him. Just so humble. I remember him looking at the guitar and saying, 'This is an awfully pretty guitar. You sure you want me to sign it?'" [6]

Soars developed his guitar technique, but did not play professionally until after his graduation. His enjoyment of heavy metal music won the initial battle and Soars played in a number of local bands including Burner, Mask of Innocence, Wynjara and Human Plague – before he had an eight-year membership with the thrash metal band, Raped Ape. Through touring with the latter, Soars became friends with musicians who played with Malevolent Creation and, in 1996, Soars joined them and was part of the line-up that recorded In Cold Blood . The band was due to undertake a European tour the following year, but Soars left them at that point as he was reluctant to lose his daytime occupation with Motorola. [4] Nevertheless, Soars formed another metal outfit, Divine Empire, who went on to release four albums between 1998 and 2005. [7] He kept in touch with the blues by playing alongside local blues musicians in his free time. In 2005, he turned his back on the heavy metal scene, after realising he was almost double the age of his average audience member. [4]

A French colleague changed Soars focus by both teaching Soars jazz guitar theory and pointing him towards the work of Django Reinhardt. Soars quickly became a fan of Reinhardt and joined others in forming a jazz combo. Soars played rhythm guitar and worked for five hours a day working out his rhythm methodology by sitting alongside a metronome. With help from another South Florida guitarist, they formed a jazz ensemble, complete with a violinist. They worked together for two years, before the pull of the blues started to take over Soars life. [4] He started a three piece by recruiting Chris Peet (drums) and Gary Remington (bass). They played gigs on their own and also backed Terry Hanck. In 2007, when David Shelley decided to enter the International Blues Challenge, Soars played guitar in his backing band. The memoires of visiting Memphis for the first time stayed with him, and Soars entered a four piece band of his own in the competition the following year. By 2009, the outfit had slimmed down to a three-piece named J.P. Soars and the Red Hots, and this time Soars won the award. "That opened up a ton of doors," he said. "Now, instead of being a local Florida band, we were traveling the country – soon the world." [4] Soars also won the Albert King Guitar Award at the same competition, the prize for which was a white Gibson Les Paul. Upon returning home, he compared this guitar with the one B.B. King had signed for him (which he had stored under his bed) and noted that almost exactly 20 years had passed. [6]

The previous year Soars had released his debut album, Back of my Mind, with Soars backed by his Red Hots bassist, Don Gottlieb and drummer, Chris Peet. It contained four of Soars own compositions, along with eight others which were cover versions of earlier blues tracks. These included "29 Ways" (Willie Dixon), "Gypsy Woman" (McKinley Morganfield), "Cocaine" (Reverend Gary Davis) and "Gangster of Love" (Johnny "Guitar" Watson). [8] It was followed by another two albums, More Bees With Honey (2011) and Full Moon Night in Memphis (2014). [5] Since 2011, Soars has also made spasmodic festival appearances as a member of Southern Hospitality, a supergroup that included Victor Wainwright and Damon Fowler. They released an album, Easy Livin', which appeared in the Top Ten of the 2013 Billboard Blues Albums Chart. [4]

In 2015, a live album became available on import. J.P. Soars: Live From The Netherlands was recorded in December 2012 in Wageningen, Netherlands, and saw Soars on guitar, two-string cigar box guitar and vocals, plus Don 'Cougar' Gottlieb on bass, and Chris Peet playing drums. [9] After further touring commitments and music festival appearances, it was not until 2018 that Soars next album, Southbound I-95, was ready for release. It featured guest appearances from Jimmy Thackery and Albert Castiglia on guitars, Sax Gordon on horn and Jason Newsted on bass guitar, with Lee Oskar playing the harmonica. [4]

In recent years, J.P. Soars and the Red Hots have performed at the Baltic Sea Festival (Germany), the Liberation Day Festival (Netherlands), and done other shows in France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Austria, and Colombia as well as touring the United States and Canada. More recently they played the Peer Blues Festival in Belgium, and at the ninth Mississippi Delta Blues Festival in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. [5]

In January 2019, Soars and Peet traveled to Houma, Louisiana, to enable recording to take place at Tab Benoit's studio. Benoit produced the album and played drums, so usual percussionist Peet was able to play his other musical passion, the bass. [4] Soar supplied the bulk of the vocals and played electric and acoustic guitar, dobro, dulcimer, and his homemade two-string cigar box guitar. [10] The album was named Let Go of the Reins as, for the first time, the whole album was developed independent of Soars total control, and issued on Whiskey Bayou Records in August 2019. It contained seven Soars-penned originals, and versions of J. B. Lenoir's "Been Down So Long," and a cover of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils' "If You Wanna Get To Heaven", the latter to his parents' delight. [10] Let Go of the Reins peaked at number 7 in the Billboard Blues Albums Chart in September 2019. [11] The same year, Soars was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the 'Blues Rock Artist' category. [10]

In 2021, he was nominated for the 42nd Blues Music Award ceremony in the 'Contemporary Blues Male Artist' category. [1]

J.P. Soars and the Red Hots current band members

Discography

Albums

YearTitleRecord label(s)
2008Back of My MindSelf-released
2011More Bees With HoneySelf-released
2014Full Moon Night in MemphisSelf-released
2015J.P. Soars: Live From The NetherlandsSelf-released (import)
2018Southbound I-95Self-released
2019Let Go of the ReinsWhiskey Bayou Records
2024Brick By BrickLittle Village Foundation

[9] [12] [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Hot Chili Peppers</span> American rock band

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk, punk rock, hard rock, hip hop, and psychedelic rock. Their eclectic range has influenced genres such as funk metal, rap metal, rap rock, and nu metal. With over 120 million records sold worldwide, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the top-selling bands of all time. They hold the records for most number-one singles (15), most cumulative weeks at number one (91) and most top-ten songs (28) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. They have won six Grammy Awards, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and in 2022 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Setzer</span> American singer, songwriter (b. 1959)

Brian Robert Setzer is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He found widespread success in the early 1980s with the 1950s-style rockabilly group Stray Cats, and returned to the music scene in the early 1990s with his swing revival band, the Brian Setzer Orchestra. In 1987, he made a cameo appearance as Eddie Cochran in the film La Bamba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Santana</span> American guitarist (born 1947)

Carlos Humberto Santana Barragán is an American guitarist, best known as a founding member of the rock band Santana. Born and raised in Mexico where he developed his musical background, he rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the United States with Santana, which pioneered a fusion of rock and roll and Latin American jazz. Its sound featured his melodic, blues-based lines set against Latin American and African rhythms played on percussion instruments not generally heard in rock, such as timbales and congas. He experienced a resurgence of popularity and critical acclaim in the late 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevie Ray Vaughan</span> American blues guitarist (1954–1990)

Stephen Ray Vaughan was an American musician, best known as the guitarist and frontman of the blues rock trio Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. Although his mainstream career spanned only seven years, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians in the history of blues music, and one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He was the younger brother of guitarist Jimmie Vaughan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain (band)</span> American rock band

Mountain was an American hard rock band formed on Long Island, New York, in 1969. Originally consisting of vocalist-guitarist Leslie West, bassist-vocalist Felix Pappalardi, keyboardist Steve Knight, and drummer N. D. Smart, the group disbanded in 1972, but reunited on several occasions prior to West's death in 2020. They are best-known for their 1970 smash hit song "Mississippi Queen", which remains a staple of classic rock radio, as well as the heavily sampled song "Long Red", and their performance at Woodstock Festival in 1969. Mountain is one of many bands commonly credited with influencing the development of heavy metal music during the 1970s. The group's musical style primarily consisted of hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keb' Mo'</span> American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter

Kevin Roosevelt Moore, known as Keb' Mo', is an American blues musician. He is a singer, guitarist and songwriter, living in Nashville, Tennessee. He has been described as "a living link to the seminal Delta blues that travelled up the Mississippi River and across the expanse of America." His post-modern blues style is influenced by many eras and genres, including folk, rock, jazz, pop and country. The moniker "Keb Mo" was coined by his original drummer, Quentin Dennard, and picked up by his record label as a "street talk" abbreviation of his given name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summertime Blues</span> Original song written and composed by Eddie Cochran and Jerry Capehart

"Summertime Blues" is a song co-written and recorded by American rock artist Eddie Cochran. It was written by Cochran and his manager Jerry Capehart. Originally a single B-side, it was released in August 1958 and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 29, 1958, and number 18 on the UK Singles Chart. It has been covered by many artists, including being a number-one hit for country music artist Alan Jackson, and scoring notable hits in versions by Blue Cheer, the Who and Brian Setzer, the last of whom recorded his version for the 1987 film La Bamba, in which he portrayed Cochran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Travers</span> Canadian rock musician (born 1954)

Patrick Henry Travers is a Canadian rock guitarist, singer and songwriter who began his recording career in the mid-1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Devil Went Down to Georgia</span> 1979 single by Charlie Daniels

"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" is a song written and recorded by American music group Charlie Daniels Band and released on their 1979 album Million Mile Reflections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steelheart</span> American glam metal band

Steelheart is an American glam metal band from Norwalk, Connecticut, that formed in 1989. At the time that their debut was recorded, the band's members consisted of vocalist Miljenko Matijevic, lead guitarist Chris Risola, rhythm guitarist Frank DiCostanzo, bassist James Ward and the now deceased drummer John Fowler. The current lineup contains Miljenko Matijevic, Mike Humbert, Joe Pessia and James Ward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonny Rhodes</span> American musician (1940–2021)

Clarence Smith, known as Sonny Rhodes, was an American blues singer and lap steel guitar player. He recorded over two hundred songs. "I'm what you call a self-proclaimed Disciple of the Blues!" said Rhodes about his years playing and singing for fans of blues around the world. He was nominated 15 times for Blues Music Awards and won in the category 'Instrumentalist – Other' in 2011.

Chris Risola is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the original lead guitarist for the glam metal band Steelheart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Neil</span> Scottish musician

Simon Alexander Neil is a Scottish singer, guitarist and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist for rock band Biffy Clyro. In 2003, Neil formed the side project Marmaduke Duke with JP Reid, releasing two studio album's The Magnificent Duke (2005) and Duke Pandemonium (2009). Another side project fronted by Neil, Empire State Bastard, released their debut studio album Rivers of Heresy in September 2023, reaching number three in Scotland, forty six in the United Kingdom, number three on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Charts and sixty-nine in Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JW-Jones</span> Musical artist

JW-Jones is a Canadian blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and band leader. He is a Juno Award nominee (2015), Billboard magazine Top 10 Selling artist, and winner of the International Blues Challenge for "Best Self-Produced CD Award" for his release 'High Temperature' in 2017 and Best Guitarist in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Klinghoffer</span> American musician

Josh Adam Klinghoffer is an American musician best known for being the guitarist for the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019, with whom he recorded two studio albums, I'm with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016), and the B-sides compilation I'm Beside You (2013). Klinghoffer took the place of his friend and frequent collaborator John Frusciante in 2009, after a period as a touring member. At age 32, Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2012, making him the youngest inductee at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flea (musician)</span> American musician (born 1962)

Michael Peter Balzary, known professionally as Flea, is an American musician and actor. He is a founding member and bassist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and, along with vocalist Anthony Kiedis, one of the only two members to appear on every one of the band's albums.

Damon Fowler is an American electric blues and blues rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Allmusic noted that "his sound is blues based, but there are hints of country, swamp rock, R&B, and swing in his playing and song writing."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Wainwright</span> American songwriter

Victor Lawton Wainwright, Jr. is an American blues and boogie-woogie singer, songwriter, and pianist. Wainwright's musical style was described by the American Blues Scene magazine in 2013 as "honky-tonk and boogie, with a dose of rolling thunder. Wainwright's playing is simply beautiful madness."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kipori 'Baby Wolf' Woods</span> American musician

Kipori Jermaine Woods, also known by stage name Kipori 'Baby Wolf' Woods, is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. He has played gospel, blues, jazz, funk and rap music and plays a blend of these music genres. Woods is the grandson of band-leader and blues bass player 'Luscious' Lloyd Lambert. Woods began singing gospel and playing guitar as a young child, he has played professionally since the 1990s.

Southern Avenue is an American five- to six-member blues and soul blues band from Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Formed in 2015, they took their name from a street in Memphis running from the easternmost part of the city limits to "Soulsville", which was the original home of Stax Records. Rock 103 described them as "the most talked about band in Memphis." Southern Avenue reached the finals of the International Blues Challenge in 2016.

References

  1. 1 2 McKay, Robin. "BLUES MUSIC AWARDS". Blues.org. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "JP Soars and the Red Hots | Blues from Boca Raton, FL". Reverbnation.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  3. ↑ "JP Soars, Boca Raton's rising bluesman". Palmbeachartspaper.com. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Gunther, Marty. "Featured Interview – JP Soars". Bluesblastmagazine.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Bio | JP Soars". Jpsoars.com. April 2, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Ehrenclou, Martine (31 May 2019). "Interview with Bluesman JP Soars". Rockandbluesmuse.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Divine Empire | Album Discography". AllMusic . Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  8. ↑ "FAME Review: J.P. Soars - Back Of My Mind". Acousticmusic.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  9. 1 2 Family, Bear. "J.P. Soars CD: Live From The Netherlands". Bear-family.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  10. 1 2 3 "JP Soars Set to Release Let Go of the Reins". Gratefulweb.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  11. ↑ "J.P. Soars". Billboard.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  12. ↑ "J P Soars | Album Discography". AllMusic . Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  13. ↑ "More Bees With Honey | JP Soars and the Red Hots". Reverbnation.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.