John Jennings has long maintained a solid international reputation as a producer and multi-instrumentalist. A longtime member of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s band, with whom he's produced and recorded 11 Top Ten singles and 2 Grammy winning albums,
Jennings has also produced recordings for John Gorka, BeauSoleil, John McCutcheon, Robin and Linda Williams, Janis Ian, Catie Curtis, Jen Cass and Bill Morrisey, to name a few. His guitar playing and singing have graced recordings by the likes of Kathy Mattea, Iris Dement, George Jones and indigo girls, not to mention the ever-popular many others.
In 1997, Vanguard Records released his debut solo album, Buddy, followed by I Belong to You in 1998. He independently released It's All Good in 2001, Four in 2005, and More Noise from Nowhere in January, 2007.
John was nominated for a Grammy Award as producer for Record of the Year in 1993, and has won numerous Wammie (Washington Area Music Association) Awards over the last 20 years, including 2008 Producer of the Year.
In addition to touring with Mary Chapin Carpenter throughout much of the western world, he has also accompinied her on two USO tours to the Middle East, Italy and the Balkans, and on several occasions at the White House. John has performed at many political and public interest events, including the 2004 Democratic National Convention and the Concert for a Landmine Free World tour.
John has composed numerous soundtracks for Weston Woods Studios (a division of Scholastic Books) to accompany animations and narrations of classic and contemporary children's books. He also wrote the theme music for Operation Smile.
John Jennings: Bio
Robin and Linda Williams: Stonewall Country (2010) - producer, engineer, guitars
Lucy Billings: No Other Road (2010) - producer, engineer, multiple instruments
The Flyin' A's: 'Til They Shut It Down (2010) - producer, engineer, guitars, basses
Memphis '59: Ragged but Right (2010) - producer, engineer, guitars
Melissa Greener: Dwelling (2010) - producer, engineer, multiple instruments
John Jennings: Everybody Sing! (2010) - producer, engineer, all instuments/vocals
John McCutcheon: Untold (2009) - producer, engineer, multiple instruments, writer
Lara Herscovitch: Through a Frozen Midnight Sky (2009) - producer, guitars, basses, multiple other instruments.
Robbie Schaefer: Strange and Lovely World (2008) - producer, engineer, guitars, bass, drums/percussion, keyboards, etc.
Mary Chapin Carpenter: Come Darkness, Come Light - 12 Songs of Christmas (2008) - producer, engineer, bass, guitars, drums, keyboards, vocals, percussion
John McCutcheon: Sermon On the Mound (2008) - producer, engineer, multi-instrumentals
John Jennings: More Noise From Nowhere (2007) - writer, producer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist
Mary Chapin Carpenter: The Calling (2007) -
electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals, walkabout dulcimer
Eugene Ruffalo: In A Different Light (2007) -
acoustic guitar
John McCutcheon: Stand Up!: Broadsides for Our Times (2007) -
producer/engineer, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
Ellis Paul: Essentials (2006) - producer/engineer, electric guitar, piano/keyboards
Janis Ian: Revenge [Bonus Track] (2006) - producer, electric guitar, organ, backing vocals
Kelly Nelon Thompson: Steadfast Heart (2006) - acoustic guitar
Everyone's Hero: Original Soundtrack (2006) - original track producer
Catie Curtis: Long Night Moon (2006) - electric guitar
John Gorka: Pure John Gorka (2006) - producer, percussion, noise
John McCutcheon: Mightier Than the Sword (2006) - producer/engineer, acoustic and electric guitars, piano/keyboards, backing vocals
Jen Cass: Accidental Pilgrimage (2006) - Producer/Engineer, acoustic, electric and lap steel guitars, electric bass, percussion, backing vocals
John Jennings: Four (2005) - writer, producer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist
Tracy Grammer: Flower of Avalon (2005) - Producer/Engineer, acoustic and electric guitars, tenor guitar, backing vocals
Angela Taylor: Songs for Strong Girls - Producer/Engineer, electric guitar, harmonica, percussion, backing vocals
Jennifer Cutting: Ocean: Songs for the Night Sea Journey (2005) - electric guitar, producer
Eddie from Ohio: This Is Me (2004) - acoustic guitar
Essential Collection (2004) - Bill Morrissey
producer, electric guitar
Mary Chapin Carpenter: Between Here & Gone (2004) - acoustic guitar
Robin & Linda Williams: Deeper Waters (2004) - guitar
Mary Chapin Carpenter: Essential Mary Chapin Carpenter (Rmst) (2003) - producer, acoustic and electric guitars, percussion, backing vocals
The Rankin Family: Souvenir: 1989-1998 (2003) - producer
Jen Cass: Skies Burning Red (2003) - producer, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, bouzouki junior, percussion, backing vocals
Eddie from Ohio: Three Rooms (2003) - electric guitar
Cheryl Wheeler: Different Stripe (2003) - electric guitar
Various Artists: Going Driftless: An Artist's Tribute to Greg Brown (2002) - original track producer, engineer, multi-instruments
Mary Ann Redmond: Prisoner Of The Heart (2002) - producer, electric guitar
Ricky Skaggs & Friends: Sing the Songs of Bill Monroe (2002) - acoustic guitar
Various Artists: Songbirds: The Essential Album (2002) - original track producer
John Jennings: It’s All Good (2001) - everything
Various Artists: Christmas: 16 Biggest Hits (2001) - original track producer
Eddie From Ohio: Quick (2001) - electric guitar
Mary Chapin Carpenter: Time* Sex* Love* (2001) - producer, electric and acoustic guitars, Clevenger bass, backing vocals
Janet Saadian: Weather the Storm (2001) - Hammond organ
Indigo Girls: Retrospective (2000) - electric guitar
Mary Ann Redmond: Here I Am (2000) - electric guitar
Ricky Skaggs & Friends: Big Mon: The Songs of Bill Monroe (2000) - acoustic guitar
Carey Colvin: Distance Wall (2000) - electric guitar
Steal This Movie (2000) - Various Artists
track producer, multi instruments
Kevin Jones: Nobody's Father (2000) - electric guitar, bass, piano
Janis Ian: God & the FBI (2000) - producer, electric guitar
Robin & Linda Williams: In the Company of Strangers (2000) - electric guitar
Various Artists: Ultimate Grammy Box: From the Recording Academy's Collection (1999) - original track producer
Mary-Chapin Carpenter: Party Doll and Other Favorites (1999) - producer, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, etc.
Eddie from Ohio: Looking out the Fishbowl (1999) - electric guitar
Heritage: Heritage (1999) - acoustic guitar
John Jennings: I Belong to You (1998) - producer, writer, guitars, basses, other
John Gorka: After Yesterday (1998) - producer, upright bass
Generations of Folk, Vol. 4 (1998) - Various Artists
artist
Indigo Girls: Indigo Girls/Strange Fire/Nomads Indians Saints (1998) - electric guitar
The Rankins: Uprooted (1998) - electric guitar
Songs from the Heart [Sony] (1998) - Various Artists
track producer
John Jennings: Buddy (1997) - writer, producer, guitars, basses, etc.
Heritage (1997) - Various Artists
acoustic guitar
Vanguard Collector's Edition (1997) - Various Artists
artist
Songs of Jimmie Rodgers: A Tribute (1997) - Various Artists
producer, backing vocals
My Best Friend's Wedding [Original Soundtrack] (1997) - Original Soundtrack
producer, multi-instruments
Dead Man Walking [Original Soundtrack + DVD] (1997) - Original Soundtrack
producer, acoustic guitar, bass, programming
Live at the Iron Horse (1997) - Various Artists
acoustic guitar, backing vocal
Jeff Smith: Human Wilderness (1996) - electric guitar, backing vocals
Mary Chapin Carpenter: Place in the World (1996) - producer, multi-instruments, backing vocals
Iris DeMent: The Way I Should (1996) - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, backpacker
Love Worth Fighting For (1996) - Various Artists
track producer
John Gorka: Between Five and Seven (1996) - producer, electric and acoustic guitars
Tin Cup (1996) - Original Soundtrack
track producer, electric guitar, backing vocals
Not Fade Away (Remembering Buddy Holly) (1996) - Various Artists
track producer, acoustic guitar
The Rankin Family: Endless Seasons (1996) - producer, electric guitar, Hammond organ
Best of Austin City Limits: Country Music's Finest Hour (1996) - Various Artists
electric guitar, backing vocals
Dead Man Walking [Original Soundtrack][1996] (1996) - Original Soundtrack
producer, bass
Working Class Hero: A Tribute to John Lennon (1995) - Various Artists
producer, keyboards
Silverwolf Homeless Project [1995] (1995) - Various Artists
arranger
Janis Ian: Revenge (1995) - producer, electric guitar, other
Bye Bye Love [Original Soundtrack] (1995) - Original Soundtrack
original track producer
1995 Grammy Nominees (1995) - Various Artists
track producer, electric guitar, backing vocals
Debi Smith: In My Dreams (1995) - producer, guitar, backing vocals
Indigo Girls: 4.5: The Best of the Indigo Girls (1995) - electric guitar
John Gorka: Out of the Valley (1994) - producer, engineer, electric guitar, backing vocals, etc
Roundup Records CD Sampler, Summer 1994 (1994) - Various Artists
electric guitar
Mary Chapin Carpenter: Stones in the Road (1994) - producer, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, backing vocals
The New St. George: High Tea (1994) - producer, Hammond organ
It Could Happen to You (1994) - Original Soundtrack
original track producer
Beausoleil: Danse de La Vie (1993) - producer, acoustic guitar, lap steel, piano, Hammond organ, backing vocals
Cheryl Wheeler: Driving Home (1993) - electric guitar
Robin & Linda Williams:Turn Toward Tomorrow (1993) - producer, electric guitar
'Til Their Eyes Shine (The Lullaby Album) (1992) - Various Artists
producer, acoustic guitar
Indigo Girls: Rites of Passage (1992) - electric guitar
Mary-Chapin Carpenter: Come On Come On (1992) - producer, acoustic and electric guitars, backing vocals
Bill Morrissey: Inside (1992) - producer, electric guitar
Cheryl Wheeler: Half a Book (1991) - electric and acoustic guitars
Gene Ryder: Last Cigarette & a Blindfold (1990) - electric guitar
Indigo Girls: Nomads Indians Saints (1990) - electric guitar
Mike Auldridge: High Time (1990) - guitar, piano
Mary-Chapin Carpenter: Shooting Straight in the Dark (1990) - producer, electric/acoustic guitars, backing vocals
John McCutcheon: What It's Like (1990) - electric guitar
Mary Chapin Carpenter: State of the Heart (1989) – producer, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, piano, backing vocals
Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer: Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer(1989) - producer, bass, fretless bass
Tony Rice: Native American (1988) – producer, electric guitar
Mary Chapin Carpenter: Hometown Girl (1987) – producer, electric guitar, backing vocals