The trademark of singer/songwriter, JOHN STANO individual sound is a distinctive blend of acoustic six string, twelve string and National steel slide guitar, mandolin, rack harmonica and expressive vocals, developed over many years of performance and study. Initially self-taught, John went on to study American fingerstyle guitar at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and harmonica with national blues legend, Jim Liban. ‘Sing Out’ compared John’s music to early Bob Dylan while ‘Dirty Linen’ was reminded of Country Joe McDonald. His style could be described as acoustic folk-blues, or perhaps Americana, as John’s influences also include rock, bluegrass, alt country and contemporary acoustic music. A skillful use of language adds an original spark to his lyrics. John was awarded first place at the Wisconsin Singer Songwriter Series Songwriting Competition finals, held in November of 2012. John was also a ‘Big Top Chautauqua Songwriter of the Year Finalist for 2010’ and he performed under the Big Top. Besides his own songs, John also performs his own arrangements of urban and country blues classics, instrumentals and contemporary songs, covering music by artists such as; John Prine, Bob Dylan, Greg Brown, Little Walter, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, John Fahey, Gillian Welch, Leo Kottke and Tom Waits. John is a flexible and engaging performer who works regularly at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues. He also teaches guitar, harmonica and other acoustic instruments from a private studio and has received various arts grants to present blues history, harmonica performance and song writing classes in the public schools and private institutions such as Mount Mary College and Waukesha County Technical College.

John represented Wisconsin at the 2012 International Blues Challenge in Memphis on historic Beale Street in the solo/duo category after winning a regional blues challenge sponsored by the Grafton Blues Society. John wrote and performed the soundtrack for a new locally produced documentary film called ‘Wisconsin’s and the Civil War’ that aired on Milwaukee Public Television.
His song ‘From A Rusty Cadillac’ was recently featured on NPR’s ‘Car Talk.’ His song, “Caribou Bar and Grill” was recently featured on NPR on Michael Feldman’s “Whadya Know?” radio program.
His song ‘Dinosaur Bones’ from his first CD “Playing In Deep Water” was also included on a CD compilation called, “A Celebration of Music/Volume 2.” Series contributors included Les Paul and The Bo Deans. His poetry was published in the Cream City Review, where he was awarded 1st prize for poetry, the Wisconsin Poet’s Calendar and the Shepherd Express. The Milwaukee Musician’s Cooperative also awarded his songwriting.

BRETT NEWSKI