John Neffis an American musician based inAthens, Georgia.He is most known for playing guitar and pedal steel guitar.
John Neff | |
|---|---|
 Neff playing guitar | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Columbus, Ohio,United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar Pedal steel guitar Vocals Dobro Lap steel guitar |
| Years active | 1993–present |
Background
editNeff is originally fromColumbus, Ohioand moved toSavannah, Georgia,when he was 11. He moved to Athens in his early twenties, at which time he started playing pedal steel guitar, for which he is best 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.[3]Some of his influences include BJ Cole, Buddy Emmons, David Lindley, and Lloyd Green.[4]
Musical history
editSome of Neff's earlier bands include the Chasers, Lona, Redneck Greece Deluxe, Star Room Boys, Barbara Cue, and Japancakes,[4]operating out of Athens. Japancakes is still active, releasing their most recent albumJapancakesin May 2016.
Over the course of his musical career, Neff has performed and recorded with bands includingThe Allman Brothers Band,Bloodkin,Phosphorescent,Jerry Joseph,Superchunk,andWidespread Panic.[4]He has also been involved withDavid Barbeand the Quick Hooks,Jack Loganand the Monday Night Recorders, andThe Dexateens.He has appeared onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallontwice,Late Night with Conan O'Brien,Later... with Jools Holland,theLate Show With David Letterman[5]andConan.[6]He also recorded onBettye LaVette's Grammy nominated albumThe 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 includeThe Weight,The Eskimos, The Burning Angels, Norma Rae, and Future Lives.
Neff was a founding member of the bandDrive-By Truckersand appears on their first two albums,GangstabillyandPizza Deliverance.[1]He rejoined the band in 2006 and was a member until 2012. In his time with the band, he was on the albumsDecoration Day,Brighter Than Creation's Dark,The Big To-Do,Go-Go Boots,andThe Fine Print: A Collection of Oddities and Rarities.The band was also featured onBooker T. Jones' albumPotato Hole,[8]which won aGrammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Albumat the 52nd Grammy Awards in 2009.[9]
Neff is currently involved in a Concerto for Rock Band with Strings withR.E.M.bass playerMike Millsfeaturing violinist Robert McDuffie that will perform in places such asTorontoand Rome[10]with an upcoming tour of the US. The Concerto expanded to includeChuck Leavellplaying a set of covers called "A Night of Georgia Music"[11]The tour resumed in 2022.[12]
Neff is also currently playing with Athens country-rock band The Pink Stones. He recorded pedal steel on their most recent release,Jimmy & Jesus,and is also featured on every song of their upcoming LP, recorded at Chase Park Transduction with Henry Barbe. He is also a member of the band's live lineup.[13]
References
edit- ^abDeYoung, Bill."John Neff & Shonna Tucker keep on truckin'".
- ^"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)".
- ^"12 QUESTIONS WITH JOHN NEFF – Reverend Guitars".Archived fromthe originalon August 18, 2016.RetrievedJune 23,2016.
- ^abc"John Neff".
- ^"Steel Guitar News: John Neff and Drive-By Truckers".
- ^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".[permanent dead link]
- ^"The Scene of the Crime – Bettye LaVette – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic".AllMusic.
- ^"Booker T. emerges from his 'Hole' - USATODAY".
- ^"Past Winners Search".April 30, 2017.
- ^"Late night TO with Mike Mills, Robert McDuffie and Lots of Friends: – R.E.M.HQ".June 18, 2016.
- ^https:// anightofgeorgiamusic.
{{cite web}}:Missing or empty|title=(help). - ^"Leavell, McDuffie, Mills make ‘A Night of Georgia Music’ one to remember"The Telegraph6 March 2022
- ^"Jimmy & Jesus".Archived fromthe originalon August 19, 2013.RetrievedNovember 23,2020..
- ^"12 QUESTIONS WITH JOHN NEFF – Reverend Guitars".Archived fromthe originalon August 18, 2016.RetrievedJuly 27,2016.
- ^DeYoung, Bill."John Neff & Shonna Tucker keep on truckin'".RetrievedJuly 27,2016.
- ^"Steel Guitar News: John Neff and Drive-By Truckers".RetrievedJuly 27,2016.
- ^"Latest Minneapolis & St. Paul News and Events – City Pages".RetrievedJuly 27,2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Booker T. emerges from his 'Hole' - USATODAY".RetrievedJuly 27,2016.
- ^"Past Winners Search".RetrievedJuly 27,2016.