Biography

John Maguire was born in Clones, Co. Monaghan, into a family of music lovers, storytellers and folk singers. John’s grandfather, Joe Maguire, wrote much loved stories for the Northern Standard, the Anglo Celt and the Irish Independent newspapers in the 1950’s and 1960’s. John’s father, Frank Maguire, was a well known traditional Irish folk singer and storyteller, and continued his own father’s work in the 1970’s. This musical lineage has clearly influenced John in his own song-writing and love for story-telling. He played and sang regularly in a band with family members from a young age.

John moved to London in the late 1970’s and was impressed by the Irish music exports of The Undertones and SLF, as well as the punk and mod influences. John later spent eight years as an actor with the prolific Clones Drama Society, back in Monaghan. His musical influences include Woodie Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Robert Johnson, Peter Mulvey, Ian Dury, Shane MacGowan, Bono, Christy Moore and John Spillane.

John produced his first EP, Gortnawinney Lake in 2006. This EP includes the title track Gortnawinney Lake, the story of his grandmother’s life near Clones, Co. Monaghan. Following on from this experience, John needed a larger platform for his ever-increasing number of songs, and co-produced a new studio album, Emerging. With Emerging, John has further developed his own style of story-telling and songwriting. Here, he blends Folk with Country and Roots influences to create a truly upbeat, self-giving, untainted and humorous package. A natural artist, John’s on-stage performances are mixed with humorous stories, true tales and a touch of drama to colour in his raw, distinctive voice. Martin Tourish guests on Emerging, and adds his unique traditional style.

In addition to his nationwide tour, John has played Whelan’s of Dublin, Crane Lane Theatre, Cork, MacCarthys of Dingle, and McHughs of Drogheda. John has shared a stage with Johnny Fean, Eamon Carr and Jim Lockhart of the Horslips; Henry McCullough of Paul McCartney and Wings fame; Jinx Lennon and Paula Flynn, and Peter Mulvey (USA). He also played support for Baby Gramps (USA) and Eleanor Shanley.

He currently lives in Donard, the Glen of Imaal, Co. Wicklow, the home county of his mother.

Gortnawinney Lake, Co. Monaghan

John with Delores and Baby Gramps (USA), at Mick Murphy's Bar, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, July 21st 2008

Influences: Horslips, U2, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Eric Taylor, Undertones, Shane MacGowan, John Spillane, Ger Wolfe, Christy Moore, Peter Mulvey(USA).