c. 1966 (age 57–58) Billings, Montana, United States
Instrument(s)
Guitar/Pedal Steel/Mandolin/Dobro/Bass/Harmonica/
Musical artist
John C. Bohlinger III (born c. 1967) is an American musician, and writer who worked primarily in television as a band leader/music director for The USA Network's Real Country, NBC's program Nashville Star[1]The Next GAC Star for Great American Country, the "CMT Music Awards" from 2009 to 2022, CMT's Christmas Special featuring Larry The Cable Guy as well as PBS's The Outlaw Trail, GAC networks' 2012 Christmas with Scotty McCreery & Friends. In 2013, Bohlinger became the Nashville video correspondent for Premier Guitar where he films Review Demos of musical gear and Rig Rundown interviews with celebrity guitarists.
In addition to his work in music, Bohlinger is a contributor and co-editor of A Guitar and a Pen, Stories by Country Music's Greatest Songwriters, published by Center Street, a division of Hachette book group.[2] Bohlinger now writes a monthly column entitled "Last Call" for Premier Guitar.
John Bohlinger is the son of Montana lieutenant governor John Bohlinger and Bette Cobetto Bohlinger.[3] During high school his parents withdrew him from public school and sent him to the Hun School of Princeton, where he graduated. Bohlinger began his undergraduate studies at the University of Montana, quit school after two years to work at a school and orphanage in Honduras, then returned to finish his bachelor's studies at Columbia University, where he graduated magna cum laude in English literature and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.[4]
Though he was awarded a full fellowship to Columbia's Teacher's College, Bohlinger returned to Montana with his family, where he became a part-time faculty member in the English department at Eastern Montana College. While teaching at Eastern, Bohlinger worked toward a master's degree in education but left the program to pursue his music career.
Bohlinger originally moved to Nashville to pursue a song-writing career. Bohlinger became the consummate Nashville sideman having accompanied Sheryl Crow, Lee Brice, Miranda Lambert, Joe Walsh, Little Big Town, Jordin Sparks, Bret Michaels of Poison, Sara Evans, Leann Rimes, Kasey Musgraves, Chris Young, Tanya Tucker, Trace Adkins, Hank Williams Jr, Kenny Rogers, The Beach Boys, Alabama, Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues and many others.
A versatile multi-instrumentalist, Bohlinger has recorded master sessions on electric and acoustic guitars, bass, pedal steel, harmonica and mandolin.
In 2001, Bohlinger left the music business and worked toward a PhD in psychology at Tennessee State University. Unable to completely leave the arts, Bohlinger began pitching a book idea entitled A Guitar and a Pen eventually enlisting his friend Robert Hicks as a partner. The book of short stories by Nashville songwriters was eventually published by Center Street in 2008.
Bohlinger writes a monthly column entitled "Last Call", for Premier Guitar. The column is a somewhat comedic, instructional guide to earning a living as a musician in the music business.[5] He also writes other columns for the magazine, usually involving gear or guides for specific playing styles.[6]
In addition to his column, Bohlinger also performs "Rig Rundown" interviews for Premier Guitar, interviewing touring musicians about their guitars, effects chain and other gear.[7] He also demo's and reviews a wide variety of gear for Premier Guitar's video reviews.[8]
As a young man Bohlinger married Sherrie Love, a visual artist. They divorced. They had one son together who died. Bohlinger began a blog on Wordpress entitled "When you Lose Your Child" which serves as an online support group for grieving parents.
Bohlinger married Megan Mullins. They divorced in 2015
John Bohlinger married Amy Kirk on July 10, 2022. Amy is a painter/visual artist and former model. the long time couple have a daughter together (Bette). John lives w/ his wife and daughter in Nashville Tn.[9]
"The Gundown" (2011) film starring Peter Coyote, William Shokley. Music Composed by John Bohlinger.
The Songs of Johnny Cash (2012). Ovation TV. The documentary series features rare interviews about the legend with such great talents as Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Shelby Lynne, Marty Stuart, Rodney Crowell, George Jones, Grace Potter, Shooter Jennings, David Wild, Billy Bob Thornton, Chris Isaak, Ben Folds, John Carter Cash, Peter Cooper, Josh Thompson, Ken Paulson, Peter Collins, Yelawolf and Justin Townes Earle. The series, narrated by musician John Bohlinger, highlights Cash’s multi-generational impact on America music and culture.
"Christmas with Scotty McCreery & Friends Band Leader/ Music Director/Composer "2012, GAC networks'
"Thrift Store Cowboy" (2013). songwriter/performer, "Just Someone You use to Know"
Nashville (2014). ABC Network. John plays the guitarist in character Luke Wheeler's band.
2016 CMT Artist of the Year Award Music Director/ arranger/ performer (pedal steel) for the Shania Twain tribute featuring Jill Scott, Meghan Trainor, Kelsea Ballerini.
USA Network's Real Country (2018) Band Leader/ Music Director/
Bohlinger has also performed multiple times on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, The ACM Awards, The CMA Awards, Nashville Now, Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, and several other programs featuring live music.
