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John Staples

@johnstaples
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Songs

17

Joined

2013

2023 will be my 11th FAWM!

I look forward to writing some songs and listening to those of all my favorite FAWMers!
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Pronouns - he / him
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I live in the Chicago area, previously from the San Francisco Bay area and originally from western Kentucky! I love John Prine and Led Zeppelin, Hank Williams and Sia and Lorde and Eminem, Gillian Welch and Pink Floyd and Foo Fighters, New Grass Revival and Yes, Neil Young and Jethro Tull, Dolly and Taylor and Gaga and Amy and Madonna and Tammy, Willie and Waylon and Hank and Johnny and Merle and George, Elvis and Pearl Jam, the Jackson 5 and Michael, Prince and Jimi, the early Beatles and the later Beatles! There is very little music I don't like!

I use Reaper on Windows for my DAW. I record mostly with a Zoom H4n handheld digital recorder using its multi-track mode so I can easily record multiple tracks.

I play acoustic guitar, electric guitar, tenor guitar, baritone guitar, resonator guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo and harmonica.

[...]

Songs

66
For Sundown by @johnstaples #firstfruits #americana #country
4
Tragically Wonderful (Baby Box) by @johnstaples #acoustic #americana #folk
4
Ashamed by @johnstaples #acoustic #americana #folk
4
Goodbye by @johnstaples #acoustic #americana #folk
7
USA USA USA by @johnstaples #americana #folk #usa_not_the_greatest
7
Be The One by @johnstaples #acoustic #americana #folk
11
Midnight Things by @johnstaples #rock #pop #americana
21
Addiction by @johnstaples #addiction #skirmish #americana
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1
Just a Placeholder (or is it?) #16 This here is some seriously long text for the title of this song! by @johnstaples
3
trumped by @johnstaples #rock #punk #rap
19
Wonderfully Weird by @johnstaples #americana #country #folk
17
Spread The Love by @johnstaples #rock #pop #americana
39
This is Now by @johnstaples #acoustic #skirmish #americana
20
When You Were Mine by @johnstaples #acoustic #americana #folk
24
Please Don't Say Goodbye by @johnstaples #rock #pop #americana
18
Alone Together Forever by @johnstaples #slothcore #rock #americana
28
Crawling by @johnstaples #rock #blues #americana

Soundboard

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@nancycunning
Thank so much for the Mary Gauthier recommendations. I listened to Filth and Fire and then to Mercy, Now. They are both incredible. I love and mean to emulate the way she tells stories and illuminates big emotional ideas with small details of what feel like regular people’s lives.
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@nancycunning
Wow. I sure see what you mean about Camelot Motel. I was thinking about how that couple counting money could be the couple from Robert Earl Keene’s The Road Goes Ever On. I’ll go listen to both the albums. Thanks for the tip.
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@nancycunning
Hey, John - thanks so much for mentioning Mary Gauthier. I went and listened to her song Dark Enough to See the Stars and then watched her TedX talk about writing songs with soldiers. I was inspired by both.
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@theenglishassassin
100% agree, John. Canada's history has been better hidden than that of the U.S. and I think a lot of non-indigenous Canadians still live in an imaginary world where we were the good guys compared to how badly the U.S. treated slaves and First Nations. But Canada's treatment of First Nations was so 'successful' that South Africa used it to develop their system of apartheid.
We have the flag-wavers here too. They not only think they are righteous, but they also think they are the victims of oppression!!!!
As you said, we are so lucky that the people we so badly wronged want to live in peace with us.
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@nancycunning
Wow, John - thank you, your song Sweet Baby Dreams knocked me between the eyes. My kids will tell you that making me cry isn't really very hard, but you sure did. That gentle precision about the bugs and the bullies and the music. I noticed that I wanted the song to slow down just a little bit, to be able to savor it all, and thought about how the tempo you use is both the tempo that bedtime stories and songs have to keep the kids interested, and it's also like the way the weeks and years tumble by while the hours seem endless. Phew. Are your kids old enough to appreciate the song yet?
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@chrismyth02
Thanks for your thoughtful feedback on Glimpse. That track was a real treat as a vocalist and lyricist finding the melody and story of the song. Humbled by comparison to Mars Volta - huge inspiration back in the day and I'm sure I blew my voice out more than a few times trying to wail The Widow in my car.
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@nadine
Hey John,
thanks for asking. Yes I can imagine a collaboration with you, I enjoy your storytelling and melodies. I am stilistically open, as long it's not too experimental, too calm, too electronic or too abusive. Unfortunately, I cannot collaborate now or in the next months, as I already exceeded my capacity limits. Not kidding, I'm involved in 40 projects that will (hopefully) lead to 3 albums. Absolutely NO chance that I will join 50/90
All I can offer is to write your name to my list and come back to you via mail when things are less stressful... or when I have a draft that could be something great for us both. Drop me a mail so I have yours. But I cannot promise that this will happen this year, sorry!
Good luck on your production aims and (re-)releases!
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@nadine
I'm blown away by your comment and praise on "Glimpse". Well appreciated! I love Chris and Roberts additions!
All guitars were recorded with my nylon acoustic, cause I don't have an electric (yet).
Many people compare our music with 70s prog and classic metal. It's fun cause I never listened to! I'm such a 2000s kiddo.
We're 90% done. We only have to swap one stem and master to the right level.
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@fatboyjamz
I greatly appreciate your refreshing comments on "Born To Die." Thank you.
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@nadine
You're welcome! Congrats for winning FAWM. You've done it again
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@billwhite51
too bad you didnt have your equipment with you to record some songs, but on the bright side, you've got a hell of a head start on 50/90 with a lot of good material to start with.
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@billwhite51
thanks for listening, John, Id sure like to be in some kentucky bar, playing some blues on a small stage in a dark corner, then coming over to your table to knock down a few beers.
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@katmtl
Hey, John! Thank you for your comments on my Stan and Dino song! <3 I love your songs!!
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@ponygal1961
Thanks for appreciating the guinea pigs, John! It's been a good year (& a great wheek) for FAWMING.
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@newukenewyork
Your comment on "Who Would Be Mine" really made my day. Thanks for taking the time. I, too, am assuming the happy ending. :)
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@sheslin
Thanks so much for the listen and your comments on "Pretty Poison". It is a very bright Taylor 314ce played in a resonant room with a very low-fi recording! I get how it sounds like an auto harp though!
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@nancycunning
Hey, John - I have this vague memory that we might have once had one of those conversations that went something like "Maybe we should collaborate sometime" "Oh, yeah, that could be fun." This is just to let you know that I would always be up for it, this FAWM, next FAWM, 5090, whenever...And of course, no pressure.
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@greengrassgirl
Hi, John, Would you send me an email? I have a lyric I'd like to show you. Just click the envelope icon on my page. Thanks.
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@theenglishassassin
Thanks @johnstaples - Your love of 'my' This is Now is very much appreciate. I am learning so much, particularly about not overthinking, and my fellow FAWMers are such a great, supportive group.
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@newukenewyork
Really enjoying listening to your John Prine tribute. Thanks for sending the link!
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@newukenewyork
Your comment on "Carl Perkins and the Meaning of Life" pretty much made my whole day, so thank you sincerely for the time you took to listen and to respond. I feel really heard and encouraged. I also love John Prine and would love to hear your tribute for him. Do you have a link?
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@ponygal1961
Just read your comment on The Now. Any comparison with The Moody Blues - I'm speechless. Though hopefully not for long...8 more songs to write. 😘 Love the suggestion for a spoken word reading. Appreciate you, John.
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@dannyk1
Hey hey John! Thank you for the shining review of Twenty-first Century Woman. Things have been super crazy around here. I'm getting to run the farm, play occupational therapist, haul groceries for a dozen and a half sheep (this week it was 6 pallets of plantains. Roughly two and a half tons).
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@ponygal1961
@johnstaples Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words about Rats in Heaven! ❤🐀🙏🏽 This means a lot to me, my friend. Much appreciated. Am sure Robin's sparkling spirit is always nearby. Happy FAWMing.
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@chandra83
❤️
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@cindyrella
Val recorded Splintered and it's incredible!
https://write.fawm.org/songs/13298
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@shadywilbury
My pleasure, John. Good to hear you're still making new music.
I'm not able to play much at the moment - burnt my arm whilst filling a hot water bottle a couple of weeks ago, but I'm hoping some new songs might emerge.
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@mikeb
Thanks for the listen and comment on 'It Takes Two'! Yes, me on both voices - I will have guest singers come in for the final versions of all the rock opera songs.
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@mattwdunn
Thank you so much for recommending my track. It means a lot that other people are enjoying what I'm putting out there.
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@earlyboon
Thank you for your warm welcome last week(as I try to understand how this site works lol)

I listened to your songs and enjoyed both - especially the bass line in Crawling.
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@cindyrella
Thanks for your comment John!
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@sbs2018
Great FAWM poster - fits one of the characters in the song I’m working on - lol!
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@fuzzy
Just looked at your "Recommendation Thread!!!"
I thought I was the only one here who was excessive with using the exclamation marks!!! 😀
Have a great FAWM!!!
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@sheilerk
Looking forward to sharing a skirmish or two, or 6, or 12 or…. ;)
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@travelswithcharlie
Looking forward to hearing your work this year!
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@clioem
Happy FAWM!
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@tootoobee
Hi John! Have an awesome FAWM 😸
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@arthurrossi
Hey John! It is awesome to see and hear you here again! Have a great FAWM!
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@cts
JS - good to see you back in FAWMland! Bring all that awesomeness to the forefront once again. Let’s get it!
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@dannyk1
It's a great time and place to meet! Looking forward to seeing your new creations.
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@davi3blu3
Hello from a fellow former Kentuckian! Dig your diverse influences, happy FAWMing!
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@skylermf
Thank you! Can't wait to see what you put together this year!
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@emkaydeebee
Back atcha! Here’s to a good’un!
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@sherrycanary
Hi John
Have a great FAWM!
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@mishykatz
hey John! 2023 FAWM Greetings!
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@vikkiflawith
Hi John! Looking forward to hearing your FAWM 2023 songs :) Have a great one!
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@odilongreen
I hope you have a terrific FAWM too! I'm going to be rather busy on non-FAWM matters this month, but hope to get at least some time in for recording--and for listening to your (and others') terrific songs!
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@crisp1
Can't wait to see what you come up with this FAWM, John! Have a great time!
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@loveonamixtape
Hello, thank you! Happy FAWM to you!
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@thetau
Hey John, Just dropped by to say hi. Have a great FAWM... I'll be listening
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@dannyk1
Howdy Mr. staples! I figured you'd be hanging around here this time of year.
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@sheslin
Howdy!!! Happy FAWM!
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@greengrassgirl
Hi, John. Your "Dangerous" song has been running around in my head for months now!
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@chariotbaldwin
Happy February to ye - looking forward to reading your magic. When's that album coming out ???
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@hummingbear
Looking forward to your good music this year!
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@ampersandman
Wishing you a great FAWM John!
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@nancycunning
Hey, John - I like your No One Knows Their Names song. I'm eager to hear where your Gateway leads this month. Glad you're here!
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@mattwdunn
I just checked out your song ‘No One Knows Their Names’. Beautiful tune. I had to watchlist you. Good luck with the FAWM!!
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@brisk
Thanks John - I've read Sapiens and Deus, but not the Lessons - I might have to put an order in for that... though I have to say that Deus left me a little ... anxious?!
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@audrey
Hi John. Have a great FAWM! :)
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@kovbleu
Happy FAWM to you!!
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@chroes
Hey John, have I forgotten to say hello here? Shame on me! Hello! Happy FAWM!
I totally understand the "this site is perfect" sentiment. What people sometimes forget to add, is the "for me personally" part. But it's all good, I understand the need for discussion.
I was very happy to read your take though! 😊

Anyway, hope to hear lots of awesome music from you!
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@nadine
Hey John, welcome back!
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@tamsnumber4
Mr. Staples, a Happy FAWMing to you!!!
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@guatecoop
Hello there! It is a nice feeling to be on the front side of the month saying hello to you! I hope that you have a great FAWM23. I will be listening.....
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@natrin
Happy FAWM!
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@sheilerk
I’m getting excited already! Can hardly wait to hear your new songs and just generally play around in the FAWM sandbox!
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@jacobeverettwallace
Happy Fawming, Mr. Staples!
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@musicsongwriter
Hi, John. Happy Fawm. Looking forward to your wonderful songs.
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@katestantonsings
Happy Fawm, John!! So good to see you!
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@mikeb
Happy FAWM 2023!
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@fearlessflight2014
Hidey ho and hello for FAWM 2023! Looking forward to your art!
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@gm7
Looking forward to some of your great Americana music.!
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@dragondreams
Hey Mr Banjo Man. 👋😎
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@zecoopMod
Official hello to you, John!! Here we are at the best musical place anywhere! :)
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@scubed
Happy FAWMing, John! Great to see you!
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@intoyourlight
Hey and thank you for following :) Can’t wait for February to begin!
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@writeandwrong
Hey, John! You're looking a little green! Have the martians been visiting ya? Hmm...thinking you need an alien song this year to fit your theme! :D
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