By: Robert Haydon
John DeFoore working a Wechter guitar.
When first setting foot inside guitarist John DeFoore’s studio, she might have been a bit nervous, even with that little chip on her shoulder. But she, better than anyone else, knew where she was going; it was a matter of not quite having everything necessary to get there.
It’s easy to have “the look”, dreamy eyes, the ability to play guitar just well enough, and at the ripe old age of fifteen want to be a country music star.
In a nation where this scenario enjoys popularity in music studios by the thousands, it’s not easy to be among the few who actually deliver.
One young singer-songwriter had heard of John DeFoore. Most musicians in East Texas know John and they know he’s especially talented in teaching his students how to find the road to success. Practically all accepted teacher-student relationships are built on the premise of a student simply regurgitating chords and progressions.
But, Defoore has his own style.
He asks, “What is it you want from me, and how can I help you realize your goals?”
This particular-cute-as-a-button teen took full advantage of his philosophy, and though the odds were stacked against her, Miranda Lambert succeeded in a big way.
The mega country music star says, “I don’t think I would be the writer I have become if it weren’t for John DeFoore. He encouraged me to say things that I believe in through my music. He is truly a hero in my eyes and an inspiration to me.”
John was born in Mississippi, but the family moved often during his childhood, including to Texas, Alaska and Scotland. His father had a passion for music, but mostly in the fields of classical and opera, and he always used a first-class stereo to engage his music, at its best.
His mother, who held a degree in what Longfellow alled the “universal language of mankind”, was an excellent musician at both the piano and violin. The various strains of music were part of ordinary life in the DeFoore household.
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The name, Tim Holiday, was associated with the country music era of the ‘70s. He was under contract to United Artists, had a few mild hits, most notably, “Bottle of Wine” and “Champagne Lady”, and even toured with Mel Tellis.
DeFoore now says, “That was probably my most enjoyable time as a musician,” and sharing the same love of music, the two became fast friends. They added a third member and opened for such bands as Marshall Tucker and Charlie Daniels. It was their own style of progressive country and it was so popular that they performed at most of the Dallas/Fort Worth clubs and dance halls, including Ft. Worth’s signature entertainment center, Billy Bob’s.
In fact, the demand for their brand of country was enough to keep them on the road and making good money.
Beginning in 1964, but especially in this ten-year period with Holiday, there were times when John would come home from his travels and teach guitar. He admits, “I wasn’t saving any money,” so the down time, whether two weeks or two months, was a good opportunity to earn some extra cash.
In the late ‘90s there were some significant events of note. In a memorable trip he toured Italy with fellow Texan and recording artist, Adam Carroll, but he also founded another trio with Randy Brown and Dirje Smith.
The new band, Jealousy Motel, performed at most of the hot spots in Eastex, Dallas, and the surrounding states before dissolving in 2007. All the while, he kept teaching.
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Even when eight-years old,, John had a knack for showing the way. A particular incident took place in Alaska, where his father was building a new church. Acting as a walkway of sorts, a two-by-twelve board led from the cement foundation down to the ground. It wasn’t a steep incline for John, but his four-year old brother was in tears just looking at it.
He gently coaxed his little brother and finally led him up and down several times, until he got the idea.
In diagnosing this affinity for helping people find their way, he says, “I have to teach them and do everything in my power to help them achieve their goals. I don’t ever forget that I’m dealing with dreams here. Or course, some of them are more adept than others, but…you know. Generally speaking, if they don’t put in the practice time, then I’ll have my doubts, and I’ll feel I’m not communicating with them or motivating them. But, its’ exciting to watch each person as they become more accomplished.”
Part of this unique process is that he “won’t tell them what to do. I’ll never do that. It’s not my job to interfere. I’ve got screamo bands, techno bands,m alternative blues, rock, country, folk, whatever…”.
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And then, well, there’s been a few bumps along the way. He had a serioius bout with alcohol in the ‘70s, but that’s still a common trap for travelling musicians. What’s uncommon is that he recognized the serious nature of the problem and joined AA. He had his last drink in 1979, but is “constantly aware that all it takes is just one”.
Of a lighter note, John’s biggest problem today is that he likes to collect. Oh, he really likes to collect, and he’ll be the first to tell you that he has trouble realizing when to apply the brakes. For example, he once went through a period when he bought nine guitars in three months. He explains, “My I.Q. is to do it all the way or not at all.”
From coffee pots to pocket watches, it makes no difference, he’s capable of a spree at anytime.
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“As far as Miranda Lambert goes, she was already a good songwriter and singer when she came to me. Her dad had taught her a lot.” Rather modestly, he adds, “I just tried to stay out of her way. All she needed was a push.”
But, he doesn’t mention that he taught her a lot about how to put feelings into the words of a song. During her time with him she wrote to John and said, “…thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful teacher and most importantly, such a great friend. Tuesdays at 3:30 are the highlight of my week.”
But, John’s influence goes far beyond the talented Ms. Lambert, who is up for five Academy of Country Music awards in 2013. He has students who have been and are now enjoying remarkable musical success in all parts of the U.S.A..
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Mercury artist, Kacey Musgraves, also up for two Academy music awards, and who comes from Miranda’s home town of Lindale, Texas, has been the opening act for Lady Antebellum and Kenny Chesney, has an appearance on the late night Jimmy Fallon show, and has been named one of country music’s top artists in 2012 is a DeFoore protégé’.
All of this is a tribute, not only to her entertainment skills, but also to DeFoore’s persuasive process.
“Kacey was a good songwriter,” he says, “but I had to beg her to write.” At the outset of her lessons with him she was interested in “emo”, a genre of pop rock. But, slowly she turned her talents to country.
Now, on the edge of superstardom, and being one of Nashville’s top performers, she hasn’t forgotten her teacher. “John’s love of music and his unique ability to teach have had a big impact on my career, and he’s instilled in me the importance of writing and playing my own songs.”
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Then, there’s Michelle Shocked, who has recorded with Polygram, Mercury and BBC Enterprise Records. She calls John her, “musical papa and my songwriting guru.”
Karleigh Page, whose work is in demand as a Nashville songwriter; Jarrett McAlister, Music City Rising Star winner, Jeff Allen, Kerri Arista, Casey Rivers, Brian Dever, Jon Wolfe and T-Roy Miller, all successful recording artists; these are but a few of his former students who are working in the industry.
He’s had three pupils in the final top ten of the “Nashville Star” television show, three former students holding down spots in the Top 100 Country Hits, simultaneously, and has many more spread across the U.S. in prestigious music institutes.
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The John DeFoore Institute of Music – Beckham Hotel.
The Beckham Hotel, a Mineola, Texas, landmark, was built in the late 1800’s, but nearly burned to the ground in the 1920’s, before it was purchased and significantly enlarged by Mr. Beckham.
DeFoore bought the hotel in 1993 and began a restoration that was aimed at saving as much of the original flavor as possible. He did so and decided to take advantage of the 2,000 square foot ballroom and stage on the second floor, to show local and national acts as weekend entertainment.
It’s dark and quiet on that floor now, but with a little imagination, a person can still hear the Dixie Chicks, Tom Paxton, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Hickory Hill, Druha Trava, Billy Joe Shaver, Sarah Hickman, The Andy Owens Project and so many more great names, from blues to bluegrass.
The John DeFoore Institute of Music is located in a studio on the first floor, and just as he did with the second floor stage, he’s bringing a steady flow of talented folks into the limelight.
From Miranda, Kacey, Jeff, Jon , Michelle and all the others, they’ve each stepped into that studio in search of a dream, and John DeFoore has always been accommodating.
