 Johnny
Fox Interview
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by
"Miss Vickie"
Special ops./STLBLUES.NET
~ Miss
Vickie@STLBlues.net ~
The blues community has embraced yet another
brother to the fold. That brother is Johnny Fox. Just
a few years ago, Johnny came onto the scene and has
not looked back. A bass-playing rock and roller since
the age of 13, playing in bars around town, Johnny
picked up the guitar and discovered a new sound; "front
porch" acoustic blues. Johnny Fox is a solo artist,
but his friends, and his brother Jim sometimes sit
in on his gigs. When Jim sits in, the style of music
shifts back to the bluesier side of rock; Stevie Ray
Vaughn and the like. Johnny listens to R.L. Burnside
and John Lee Hooker.
Now, how can you go wrong with music like that!
Johnny has made his mark, although, he had a bit of
a struggle at first getting recognition. He kept at
it with his press kits. He knocked on all of the doors.
He wasn't selling brushes, he was selling his style
of music and his songs. Now you can catch Johnny during
the "Happy Hour" time slots. You will hear
original songs as well as some covers from the greats,
but even then, Johnny puts a different twist to these
songs. People really enjoy listening to him play.
Most musicians, if not all, have had ups and downs
in their careers. Johnny gets his inspiration from
his dad, Larry Fox. A strong family tie will always
get you thru the rough patches. Thanks Dad, for all
of your support!
Speaking of family, Johnny's wife, Melissa is in on
the act, but behind the scenes. It's just like they
say, "behind every good man, there's a good woman"!
Melissa handles the photography and assists when the
two of them are at home producing cd's. Johnny records
his own music in his living room. Fellow musicians
come over and record, also. This has been going on
for about the last five years. Johnny currently has
3 cd's available. A singer-songwriter cd titled "Hot
Sauce", and two blues cd's titled "Two Sisters
Cocktail" and "Last Call". Now you
can imagine how he came up with Last Call, but what
inspired him with Two Sisters Cocktail? Well, enquiring
minds want to know, so I asked him. "Have you
seen the movie "Angle Heart"? There is a
blues guy playing in the bar and all he will play
for is a two sisters cocktail." Well, there you
have it ladies and gentleman. A title can come from
just about anywhere!
When playing a solo gig, friends will stop in and
join Johnny. Just the other day, right before this
interview, Johnny was playing at the Shanti, located
in Soulard on the corner of 9th and Allen. He was
joined by a musician some of you may know, Jeff Sheehan.
Jeff usually plays guitar, great guitar, but today,
he was playing a stand-up bass. He had called Johnny
to ask to sit-in to try out his bass. What a surprise
and what a treat! Jeff and Johnny have known each
other for many, many years. They go way back. They've
played together before and you could really see that
in their performance. A real treat!
Johnny Fox also has his hand in the radio world. He
is the host for River City Acoustics on KDHX Community
Radio 88.1 FM. The show was originally named, Song
Circle of Friends, hosted by Clint Harding on the
first saturday morning of the month from 9:00AM to
11:00AM. Johnny was on Clint's show one morning, when
he found out Clint was leaving the station. Approximately
a year or so ago, Johnny and Melissa took over the
show. They received a grant from the Whitaker Foundation
and renamed the show "River City Acoustics".
They showcase all types of music, not just singer-songwriters.
Johnny and Melissa bring in artists and record "live"
at the Focal Point Fine Arts Center located in Maplewood,
mix the music at home, and then bring it in to the
station to play on the air. There is no "cover"
at the Focal Point. Johnny only asks that when you
come to the show, you bring a canned food item for
the Housing and Resource Center. This is a very successful
venture and I, for one, really enjoy the show! You
can catch River City Acoustics the first Friday of
every month at 7:00PM on KDHX Community Radio 88.1
FM. The "live" performances can be seen
on the last Saturday of each month.
The Beale on Broadway, 701 S. Broadway, is Johnny's
home on Tuesday evenings from 8:00PM to 9:30PM. When
you go, let Bud know that you like what he's doing.
He has worked very hard to bring us some really great
music!
There is a lot of good talent here in this city, but
unfortunately, some of that talent does not make it
to the stage. Either drugs and / or alcohol will destroy
them, and they leave us too soon. Many of the musicians
Johnny has known have met this fate. It is this loss
that inspires him to reach higher and to be there
for his family, especially his son, Ben. Cudos to
Ben! This young man, aged 15 years, has been accepted
to a college with a full ride, ladies and gentleman!
How proud is Mom and Dad and Grandpa! Great work Ben
and great work Johnny and Melissa! Larry, keep up
the support!
I'd like to thank Johnny Fox for his time and
his great music!
For more information about Johnny Fox and his gigs,
go to www.johnnyfox.biz.
For more information about River City Acoustics, visit
www.KDHX.org
or email Johnny at rca@kdhx.org.
To check out what's playing at Beale on Broadway,
go to www.bealeonbroadway.com
or call 314-621-7880.
Thanks again, Johnny, and Blues on!
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