John Watson Bio

I started writing poetry at age twelve in 1963, and by twenty-one in 1972, evolved into writing music influenced by Chicago and Delta blues, learning how to play harp. I picked up the guitar the same year, and continued writing and recording demos, and beginning in 1986, started working with musicians from Coney Hatch, Lighthouse, A Foot In Cold Water, Platinum Blonde, Pepper Tree etc. In 2003, at age fifty-two, I decided to become the artist for the first time, and since then have recorded five separate projects, including my blues album.

Minor Details was completed in 2011, and only have four songs from that album on my website, because I decided to re-record the other nine songs with new vocals and some new guitar tracks, as well as adding four new tracks, and that album, What Goes Around, was completed in 2022. Spirit Guide was recorded in 2013 in Claremont, and Blues Over Yonder has just been completed, and will be released in October of 2024.

I also have a non-fiction autobiography book, which takes place mainly in my travels hitch-hiking down the west coast in the U.S.A. in 1975, and hopping a freight train to El Paso, going down to Mexico and Guatemala, with exciting adventures, meeting many fascinating people.
The book includes many anecdotes of famous musicians and writers, as well as my own poetry and music that I wrote at the time. I also talk about the Native Indian culture.

I have been blessed co-writing many songs over the years since 1986 with friends and fellow musicians in many different genres. I won a Factor “New Talent Demo” award in 1990 with “Try Real Hard”, received a publishing deal from Larry Mercey with a country cross-over song, “Hold On To Me” in 1992, co-written with Katalin Nagymarosi, and placed a co-written song with Rick Lamb, “Suspicious Heart”, on the Q107 Homegrown album, Volume #14 in 1992. My style of writing has ranged from folk, blues, rock, country rock and country music. In 2025, I will be releasing my third rock album, working with David Neal from Santa Monica, and Greg Critchley living in South Carolina.

I have always been a romanticist, but also express my political views, as well as my passion for doing my part to help save Mother Earth from man’s wanton destruction and poisoning of the air and water; especially over the last one hundred and fifty years. I also have extensive knowledge on recovery from drugs and alcohol, in my book, “Strangers Sojourn,” and serves as a guide for anyone interested in changing their life around. One thing I have learned in life is, after I have fallen down the black hole many times, I pull myself out again and start all over, moving forward. It takes courage, self-honesty and perseverance to continue to progress on a spiritual level, as well as determination, dedication and desire.

With the help of my Spirit Guide, Chief Tecumseh, and close friends, I have found my path to righteous salvation, so never give up!