John Covert

John Covert bio

Press release 2018 John Covert and Crystal Image John Covert formed the Crystal Image band in 1968. A grand prize winner in the Nashville Music City Song Festival and multi-finalist in the American Song Festival, Covert's songs have been featured on “The Sopranos” (a&e network tv), TNN (The Nashville network), VH1 “Driven” (featuring Grammy winner, Usher), “The fabulous life of country stars” (VH1), MTV, abc tv “General Hospital” and in Hollywood movies. He has done shows with War, Tower of Power, Sons of Champlin, Simon & Garfunkel, Chad & Jeremy, Gary US Bonds, Lady Bo (Bo Diddley's lady guitarist) and performed with members of Sly and the Family Stone, Pam Tillis', Tommy Castro's and John Lee Hooker's bands. Crystal Image also backed a popular touring act featuring the “Patsy Cline Tribute Show”. Crystal Image is a variety band that plays classic rock, country, blues, ballroom and much more. Current members of Crystal Image are John Covert (keyboards/vocal), Jerry Tamburino (drums/vocal), Mike Samaritano (guitar/vocal), Dorothy Sills (sax/harmonica/vocal). They have released over 27 albums. Visit Crystal Image at www.crystalimageband.weebly.com.

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What is music to you? What does it give you?

I started touring when I was 16. It's been good to me but I decided early on to involve myself in all facets of it. Performing, recording, production, marketing, licensing, teaching and more.

What is your music dream?

already did it. published by a major, toured with headline acts, songs placed on abc, vh1, mtv, tnn, a&e and others.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

no hate allowed, only peace and love. I'm an old hippie.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

Elvis, hound dog (big mama Thornton)

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

Eagles, James Taylor, Dylan, BB King, Clapton, Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Bob Marley

What inspires you to make music?

Love and money

What is the message you want to send with your music?

Listen to the words and learn the craft. The tech end of music has over ridden the creative aspect in many cases.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

very comfortable and warm.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

there's lots of opportunities for those who think out of the box. It doesn't matter what I think. Money and "timing" controls the market. It always has. One needs to accept music as an industry and treat it as a profession, not a hobby. I've survived and made a nice living from music because I embraced many genres and aspects of the industry.

What do you think of Drooble?

Excellent tool.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

nothing.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

no. I still tour, only regionally instead of nationally

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

Hunger.. Get airplay, establish the specific regions where your music is loved and in high rotation and tour there. Loretta Lynn , Sonny and Cher, and many of today's artists started by selling their records from the trunk of their cars at gigs and visiting radio stations. James Brown and others did the chitlin' circuit where they played major radio station promoted shows for free for huge airplay in major cities. The Beatles and Stones hit the Ed Sullivan show for mass exposure. Bonnie Raitt did the college circuit. There's no one way. There are many.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

Tommy Emmanuel is not a household name but he's awesome. There are fantastic artists our there today in all genres that don't fit the "cookie cutter" image or sound of today's marketing "suits". The market is very flooded. I've never wanted that kind of fame. I've seen first hand what it takes to achieve that . I consider success to be still doing music professionally at the young age of 74 and being married to a wonderful lady for 47 years.