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jhoita
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John Hoita
» label: unsigned
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John Hoita
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John Hoita Music Bio
Back in the 60s, I played in the band called the "Delphi Revue." We had a lead singer, drummer, bass player, two saxophone players, an organist, and yours truly, a guitarist. We did all right as an R&B/Soul group. We played local schools, bars, out-of-town community centres and a fair amount of engagements in Yorkville, Toronto. We also won a couple of "Battle of the Bands” competitions.
As the results of winning one of the "Battle of the Bands" competitions, Dominion Records, a new record company in Scarborough, signed us on as their studio band. This was before there was such a thing as a musician union. We provided the backup music for any artist/singer appearing on the CKCO TV dance show in Kitchener. We even had the opportunity to record our own 45 rpm record. On one side we recorded "Hold on I'm Coming" and on the flip side was "99 1/2 won't do."
Unfortunately, Dominion records went bankrupt, no one got paid and with school ending, the band members went on with our lives. The singer Rick, became in a Disc-jockey in Peterborough, Steve, the organist opened up a plastic moulding company, Bruce, one of the sax player became a Chiropractor, I don't know what happened to the other guys. As for myself, found myself working for Warner Bros. Records as Ontario Promo Rep. My one day in the spotlight came, after lots and lots of hard work, I was able to get the song "If you could read my mind"쳌 by Gordon Lightfoot, number one on the CHUM charts in Toronto. CHUM was "The" radio station, and if a song was not number "One," no record sales, or should I say, not as many sales. The backlash of "If You Could Read My Mind" becoming #1 on the CHUM Charts was - "Sam the Record Man" sold lots of records and the rest is history. Unfortunately, of all the artists I worked with, Gordon Lightfoot was the one artist I never got to meet yet I worked the hardest on. Such is life!
Anyway, each of us band members went our own separate ways ... I put my guitar to rest. I had a 1957 Fender Telecaster and hadn't touched one since, ... until ....
To make the story short, in January 2006 an overwhelming urge came over me and it was strong ...
It is nice to be back playing guitar again and sharing music with others.
"Live each day as if it's our last, because one day we are going to be right."
Hope you enjoy my music as I go through my process.
Thank you
John Hoita
Back in the 60s, I played in the band called the "Delphi Revue." We had a lead singer, drummer, bass player, two saxophone players, an organist, and yours truly, a guitarist. We did all right as an R&B/Soul group. We played local schools, bars, out-of-town community centres and a fair amount of engagements in Yorkville, Toronto. We also won a couple of "Battle of the Bands” competitions.
As the results of winning one of the "Battle of the Bands" competitions, Dominion Records, a new record company in Scarborough, signed us on as their studio band. This was before there was such a thing as a musician union. We provided the backup music for any artist/singer appearing on the CKCO TV dance show in Kitchener. We even had the opportunity to record our own 45 rpm record. On one side we recorded "Hold on I'm Coming" and on the flip side was "99 1/2 won't do."
Unfortunately, Dominion records went bankrupt, no one got paid and with school ending, the band members went on with our lives. The singer Rick, became in a Disc-jockey in Peterborough, Steve, the organist opened up a plastic moulding company, Bruce, one of the sax player became a Chiropractor, I don't know what happened to the other guys. As for myself, found myself working for Warner Bros. Records as Ontario Promo Rep. My one day in the spotlight came, after lots and lots of hard work, I was able to get the song "If you could read my mind"쳌 by Gordon Lightfoot, number one on the CHUM charts in Toronto. CHUM was "The" radio station, and if a song was not number "One," no record sales, or should I say, not as many sales. The backlash of "If You Could Read My Mind" becoming #1 on the CHUM Charts was - "Sam the Record Man" sold lots of records and the rest is history. Unfortunately, of all the artists I worked with, Gordon Lightfoot was the one artist I never got to meet yet I worked the hardest on. Such is life!
Anyway, each of us band members went our own separate ways ... I put my guitar to rest. I had a 1957 Fender Telecaster and hadn't touched one since, ... until ....
To make the story short, in January 2006 an overwhelming urge came over me and it was strong ...
It is nice to be back playing guitar again and sharing music with others.
"Live each day as if it's our last, because one day we are going to be right."
Hope you enjoy my music as I go through my process.
Thank you
John Hoita
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
In the 60s, while walking through Yorkville in Toronto you would see and hear a variety of musicians who had previously arranged with the owner to play in front of their coffee houses or on door steps.
In the parks, such as High Park or Edwards Gardens, you would see the same, musicians under trees everywhere.
Sometimes a tune would catch your ear and you may stop and give a listen to the artist. Or chat with them about their music.
And ... it seemed customary or even polite to throw a few coins into the open guitar case as you left.
I see the internet as replacing those "Parks" and "Special Streets" like "Yorkville."
Surfers pass by, give a listen to a variety of artists, then they surf on, or, some throw a few coins into the "virtual-guitar-case" in appreciation. Which is split between the artist and the site-owner. Things haven't changed very much in that aspect.
But the internet differs from the "parks" in that, the person who throws the .75 cents or .99 cents into the Artist's "Virtual Guitar Case" ... is able to download and take the tune home with them. Everyone benefits, everyone is happy, and we are helping each other once more as we go through life.
Another difference is: ... when someone goes through the process of getting 75-99 cents into the Artist's "Virtual-Guitar-Case" ... this takes effort and a little time ... and Artists know all about appreciative-effort and appreciative-time. Which makes the act of this kind of giving online - in itself -- PRICELESS.
Thank you
In the parks, such as High Park or Edwards Gardens, you would see the same, musicians under trees everywhere.
Sometimes a tune would catch your ear and you may stop and give a listen to the artist. Or chat with them about their music.
And ... it seemed customary or even polite to throw a few coins into the open guitar case as you left.
I see the internet as replacing those "Parks" and "Special Streets" like "Yorkville."
Surfers pass by, give a listen to a variety of artists, then they surf on, or, some throw a few coins into the "virtual-guitar-case" in appreciation. Which is split between the artist and the site-owner. Things haven't changed very much in that aspect.
But the internet differs from the "parks" in that, the person who throws the .75 cents or .99 cents into the Artist's "Virtual Guitar Case" ... is able to download and take the tune home with them. Everyone benefits, everyone is happy, and we are helping each other once more as we go through life.
Another difference is: ... when someone goes through the process of getting 75-99 cents into the Artist's "Virtual-Guitar-Case" ... this takes effort and a little time ... and Artists know all about appreciative-effort and appreciative-time. Which makes the act of this kind of giving online - in itself -- PRICELESS.
Thank you
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Right now, I am really enjoying what I am doing. What more could I want? But, when it comes right down to it, yes, I would.
Band History:
Back in the 60s, I played in the band called the "Delphi Revue."쳌 We had a lead singer, drummer, bass player, two saxophone players, an organist, and yours truly, a guitarist. We did all right as an R&B/Soul group.
Your influences?
I really don't have one or two influences in music. I listen and enjoy all musical sounds from all instruments. Every artist has something to offer.
Favorite spot?
Toronto, Owen Sound, Lion's Head, Chesley, ... actually, my favorite spot is where ever I am. Seriously.
Equipment used:
Fender Strat,