My "Why"
Life has so much chaos. Seemingly random occurrences that impact our lives in immeasurable ways…all of it happening for a reason I can’t even discern. Sometimes it can be tough to make sense of it all.
But I feel so fortunate that I was given the gifts to be able to stitch together tiny bits of drama, melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, lyrics, and performance into music. I believe it’s what I’m here to do. I use music to honor my heroes, challenge myself, and build something new.
After a while, those threads and connections within the chaos become stronger. I find I’m able to communicate, to relate, to discern order from the chaos. And through music, I’ve been able to find the place I was meant to exist within the bigger picture.
I’m John Fishell, and this is my fundraising campaign.
Up 'Til Now
I’ve been working as a producer, engineer, songwriter, and music educator for my entire career. I’ve been fortunate to serve in the studio as the producer of record for 7 NEA Jazz masters like David Liebman, Jack DeJohnette, Billy Hart, and others, as well as working in the same capacity for major label Rock and World Music acts.
I’ve been a professor of Music Recording and Production at James Madison University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Colorado-Denver, American University, Ball State University, and Purdue University.
What I've Been Up To
It’s only been in the last three years that my attention has turned to working on my own music as an artist, and in that time I’m proud of the initial results. I’ve had extensive radio airplay throughout the US and UK Top 40 markets, including chart positions for my songs “Carolina/California,” as well as “Daisy Chains.”
I’ve been featured multiple times on BBC Radio, network television, and various radio shows and podcasts, and I’ve performed all over the US (stretching from New York to Nashville to New Orleans and all points between) and the UK in markets like London, Sheffield, and Birmingham, among others.
So the time is right for me to make a big move. I’ve partnered with Edgewater Music Group out of Texas to help me run this campaign. They’ve helped a lot of artists take meaningful steps forward in their music careers, and they already have major-label distribution lined up for this project.
But the reality is…I need your help in order to make this happen.
The Challenge
You see, 20 or 30 years ago, an artist like me might be able to go to a small record label to get the funding it would take to make the moves I’m trying to make to get my music more well-known. But the streaming era pays artists and labels so very little that those resources don’t really exist anymore.
But the costs associated with a serious music industry project are still there. Things like recording, mixing, mastering, pressing, promotion, touring… it all adds up really quickly!
This is where you come in, and it’s why I’m asking for your support to help make this next record a reality! As a thank you, I’ve got a lot of perks I’m offering in exchange for your support.
Perks
I will have both digital and physical copies of the new record we produce. I’ll have an exclusive early bird special where you can get your hands on the music way ahead of the public release date. I’ve got merch, private shows, and you can even be listed as an executive producer on the credits list of the record I make!
Here's How YOU Can Help
Here’s how you can help! Click the button on this page to support the project. Follow the prompts and enter your information, which will be stored securely, and remember this: If I don’t meet my fundraising goal, your money will be refunded. But that also means that I won’t have raised a dime, and all these dreams I have for the music I’ve written will remain out of reach. We have to cross the finish line in order to raise any of this money, so I could really use your support.
Thank You!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of this with me. I couldn’t do this without each and every one of you and your support will never be forgotten. You make it all worthwhile, and I can’t wait to catch up with each and every one of you soon!