Over the last 15 years John Wright is a name that has become synonymous with ‘the best’ in the interpretation of contemporary folk song in the UK.

Well established on the European acoustic-roots music scene, John is justifiably renowned for his ability to pick great songs to sing which he performs with passionate sincerity.
His integrity as an artist is admired by fellow performers and fans alike, as is his willingness to give encouragement and opportunity to young players with his touring band line-ups.

Put simply, Ray Hearne, BBC Radio Ballads, says: “John is the song-writers’ singer -- as well, of course, a singer for all those with hearts and ears. He has a marvellous repertoire and a great standing amongst his peers.”

John has 13 CDs to his credit and in 2005 released his first DVD – ‘John Wright Life and Live’.

The DVD features a two-hour concert recorded at the prestigious Vredenburg Theatre, Utrecht, and traces the compelling story of John’s transition from a high profile member of the Household Cavalry, to the solitary existence of a hill shepherd and onto the European stage as a professional singer.

From a high profile spotlight as a member of the Household Cavalry, to the solitary existence of a hill shepherd, John emerged to take centre-stage as a professional singer in the early '90s. 
John's introduction to music began as the youngest of four brothers all choristers at their local church in East Didsbury. 

For more than 20 years John was immersed in the Border Hills, singing only occasionally at local functions. In 1990 however, he was persuaded to record a cassette of acapella singing -- "Border Crossings" funded from the sale of his shepherding pony "Bandit"!

The cassette brought John a few festival invitations and thence to the attention of Paul and Linda Adams at Fellside Records. Fellside gave John the opportunity to record his first album in 1993 "Ride the Rolling Sky".
Two of the accompanying musicians on the CD were Kenny Speirs and Wattie Robson , who together with John became the John Wright Band. The 'game', as they say, was ON!

John and Kenny were joined by Stewart Hardy on the fiddle when Wattie moved on in 1994. The Band produced two more albums with Fellside before moving to Greentrax in Scotland where a further two CDs were recorded.
John also made his first solo album – ‘A Few Short Lines’ – which featured players from his ‘Friends’ tours of Holland.

During this time the JWB was in demand for concerts, festivals and at folk clubs throughout the UK, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Denmark. John also gained a fan-base in the USA when he completed a tour of the east coast.

See the festival appearance list here.

More popular than ever, John now tours with a pool of fine musicians from the British acoustic music scene -- working with single guitar accompaniment to a five-piece band. He also works as a duo with internationally renowned singer-songwriter Allan Taylor.

You can read about them here.

“Listening to John Wright is just like sampling a rare, vintage wine – he just gets better and better!” 
                                                            Alan Weatherstone, Langholm and Eskdale Music and Arts Festival.