Today we’d like to introduce you to John Lowery.
Hi John, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my musical journey in my early 20s while living in Portland, Oregon. Like a lot of young musicians, I dreamed of making it big and chasing that idea of fame and recognition. After moving to San Diego in the mid-1990s, I spent the next couple of decades playing music wherever I could — coffee houses, small venues, and local spots — building my craft and connecting with audiences one show at a time.
About 10 years ago, my music career naturally evolved due to a job loss and having more time on my hands to pursue music again. I started playing more wineries, restaurants, and private events, places where the focus is not just on the music but on creating an experience for people. Around that same time, I returned to recording and began releasing my original songs on streaming platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
Looking back, my perspective on music has changed a lot. When I was younger, I think I was chasing the dream that many musicians chase — the recognition, the spotlight, and the idea of becoming famous. Today, I find a lot more joy in something much more meaningful: being able to make a living doing what I love, performing for people throughout San Diego, Temecula, and Orange County, and sharing music with audiences who appreciate it.
For me, success isn’t necessarily about being famous anymore. It’s about the freedom to play music, create songs, meet great people, and keep doing something I’ve loved for most of my life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but looking back, I’m grateful for all of the different stages of the journey. Over the last 10 years, it’s been a much smoother and more rewarding experience, but the early days were definitely more challenging.
When I first started pursuing original music, it was a different landscape. There were a lot of pay-to-play opportunities, plenty of low-paying gigs, and getting your music heard or distributed was much more difficult than it is today. You had to work a lot harder to get your songs in front of people because there weren’t the same tools and platforms available that artists have now.
At the same time, there was less competition. Today, anyone can record and release a song from their home, which is amazing, but it also means there is a lot more music competing for people’s attention.
Those early struggles taught me a lot — not just about music, but about perseverance, adapting, and finding your own path. Eventually, I realized that success for me wasn’t just about chasing the traditional dream of becoming a famous recording artist. It was about building a sustainable career, connecting with audiences, and creating a life where I could keep doing what I love.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Most of what I do today is focused on live performance. I’d say about 80% of my shows are acoustic interpretations of songs people know and love, covering a wide range of styles — from classic rock and pop to country and folk. I enjoy taking familiar songs and putting my own spin on them, whether it’s a stripped-down version or adding a little more energy and personality.
My main instrument is acoustic guitar, but I also incorporate harmonica, looping, and some percussion elements to create a fuller sound. I’ll often use foot percussion like a tambourine or stomp box, and occasionally add drum beats to build the rhythm and make the performance feel bigger than just one person on stage.
The goal is to create an engaging experience where people can sing along, connect with the songs, and feel like they’re part of the performance — whether I’m playing a winery, restaurant, private event, or a larger venue.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that might surprise people who know me as a musician is that my journey has been much longer and more unconventional than they might realize. A lot of people see me performing now — playing wineries, restaurants, and events around San Diego, Temecula, and Orange County — but they may not know how many different chapters came before this.
I actually started writing and performing original music decades ago, and for a long time I was chasing the dream that many musicians chase — trying to get discovered and hoping for that big break. Over time, I learned that the real reward wasn’t necessarily fame; it was being able to build a life around music and connect with people through songs.
Another thing people might not expect is how much goes into creating a solo performance. When people see one person with an acoustic guitar, they may not realize I’m layering in harmonica, looping, percussion, and different elements to create a sound that feels much bigger than just one musician on stage.
But probably the biggest surprise is that after all these years, I’m still just as excited about music as I was when I started. The difference is that I appreciate the journey a lot more today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.johnlowerymusic.com
- Instagram: Johnlowerymusic
- Facebook: Johnlowerymusic
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlowerymusic/
- Twitter: johnlowerymusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@johnlowery_music?si=RRAJjkjsCC2nIxwl
