A piper since 1981, Piper Johnny is a man of many talents. He was led to the instrument after hearing a pipe band playing Amazing Grace in church. His career has included pipe bands in Grand Rapids, Little Rock, Peoria, and for the last 10+ years, Chicago.
A seasoned performer, he brings a professional's attitude to every gig – always striving for the music to help make the occasion. He has a deep understanding of the power of music, particularly of the unique and stirring sound of the pipes. He'll gladly add that special touch to birthdays and other parties or to joyous occasions like weddings. Check out the video of Rock 'n Roll Part II to get an idea. As a man who was widowed in his early 40s with young children, he has a deep empathy for those looking for pipes at funerals. "Hearing the pipes played at a funeral seems to break down the barriers and give everyone permission to cry, to grieve, and in doing so, to start healing."
His 2008 CD "Pipes for the People" was released to critical acclaim. It blended bagpipes and other instruments in traditional and contemporary arrangements.
Piper Johnny is also a songwriter (President of the Chicago Songwriters Collective) with 3 other CDs to his credit and a song in the movie 2007 Bitterblue. He sings and plays guitar and harmonica in a wide variety of styles.
His CDs are available from www.cdbaby.com and mp3s from iTunes, Rhapsody and other download sites.
Bio
John came to fully realize that he had a musical calling later in life. In the mid '90's he began earnestly writing songs – a time in life that coincided with his wife's diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Following her death in 2000 he felt called to address the topic of grief from a musical perspective. He joined the Recording Academy (Grammy's) and the Chicago Song- writers Collective www.chicagosongwriters.com (elected President in 2006) and began performing more. The grief album shipped out on 9/11/01. His 2nd album was an eclectic mix of bluegrass, folk, country, Irish, pipes, and zydeco. His 3rd disc features a song used in the 2007 Robert Alaniz film, Bitterblue. The 2008 CD "Pipes for the People" blended bagpipes and other instruments in traditional and contemporary arrangements. Remarried in 2004, he now leads a busy life with 5 kids and all the music he can possibly make.
Performances
John has an easy rapport with audiences and has played in a variety of places, some expected, some not. These include coffeehouses, appearances at the Fox Valley Folk Festival, and acoustic performances on a prairie for a conservation group. He has a particular love of playing for nursing homes and bringing some joy to the folks there. His songs have been performed in churches. Special moments were playing for Katrina evacuees and at Maximum Security Section of a Cook County Jail. For over 25 years he's played bagpipes with Shrine bands in hundreds of parades and performances, along with solo piping at weddings and funerals.
Discography
Grief, Loss and Hope for Tomorrow (2001) Working Without a Net (2004) Beyond Bitterblue (2007) Pipes for the People (2008) "With the ability to make his audience laugh, cry and think, John Ludwig borders on genius song after song."
~ Jyn Radakovits, the Frankfort Station
