Fremont John and Acoustic Thunder

Fremont John & Acoustic Thunder create an original style of acoustic classic rock. Fan descriptions include: "S.R.V.(on acoustic) meets the Red Hot Chili Peppers", "CCR jams with Phish", Wide Spread Panic with an acoustic Robin Trower". Give these song demos a listen. What the heck, you're already here. And, by all means, give me your review. I really want to know what people think.

Fremont John Ashton comes from a rich musical background encompassing about 16 years of classical piano training and nearly as many years on trombone as a secondary instrument. He began teaching himself guitar at the age of 14 and has made that his primary instrument. His studies with piano and trombone went on as he double majored at the Michigan State University School of Music in the Theory and Composition department. High school and college saw John in several of his own bands including horn bands, ala Chicago (for which he wrote and arranged the horn charts), marching bands, concert bands, choral groups, a drum and bugle corps, a big 17-pc dance band and 3-pc and 4-pc rock bands. He even sang for several months in a Gospel quartet just for the experience. John left MSU in 1973 to go on the road full-time with the rock band, InnerVision. He played lead guitar, keyboards and, sang most leads for that hard rock band. InnerVision toured the Midwest and surrounding area for about 4 years playing primarily college towns with large college bars (600 1200 capacity). That band also, did some concerts opening for Rush, Iron Butterfly and Styx. The band was clearly on its way up under the management of Paul Stanley of Detroit. Stanley was a concert promoter who worked directly with many major acts such as Kiss, Aerosmith, George Carlin, Fleetwood Mac REO Speedwagon and many, many others. John married his wife, Margi in 1976 and started a family This brought on the age of reason and responsibility. As a matter of fact, he didnt gig for 9 years of that time. Before and after that downtime was spent working in weekend gigs and writing music while juggling a banking career and, later a career in the environmental industry. He even started and grew his own environmental business working directly for the major oil companies, the military and various government bodies. He had dropped out of the professional music scene altogether. In 1992 he started another band and was playing regularly again. About four years later, he began performing solo with acoustic guitar. At the start of 1999, he sold out his business interest to revive a sorely missed full time music career. Thats when he moved to Key West, FL. In November of 1999 he independently released his first CD, Acoustic Thunder comprised of 8 original songs and 4 cover tunes. That disc has sold about 2,000 copies at this writing. In the spring of 2001, John formed the band, Acoustic Thunder. The band released a live CD titled Lightning Strikes the Bull. The live disc includes 7 cover tunes and 4 originals, three that were recorded on Acoustic Thunder.

I am a house musician and bandleader at the Bull in Key West,FL. I do 1 solo show, 1 duo show (with Alfonse) and 3 band shows every week at the minimum. I also play other venues in and around Key West, FL. I love playing but, I'd like to get out of Key West and do some festivals or larger club venues. Do I have special moments? I play with 2 excellent players. My bassist, Rob Leon did 2 albums with the Band. He was a founding member of the Dolphins (With Dave Brubeck's sons) He toured with Rory Block and has played with countless top jazz players. He is absolutely top notch! Now, he plays with me. My drummer, Skipper is equally impressive....being one of the best drum soloist you're ever going to hear. So, every moment I play with the two them is special for me.

Santana, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Jim Ashton, SRV, Stephen Stills, CCR, Chris Smithers, Acoustic Alchemy, Doyle Dykes, David Gilmour and Pink Floyd, B.B. King, Blood Sweat & Tears, Chicago,

E-mail us if you're coming to Key West! I want to meet you. Thanks for listening! "People like me need people like you!" Sign up on our mailing list by e-mailing me from http://fremontjohn.iuma.com I'd love to hear of festivals and club venues in your town where you think I'd fit in.