ABOUT

Direct and sincere, Bernard John’s voice and lyrics powerfully fill a room without any hint of restraint. If melancholy is the bread, then hope is the butter.

Back in October of 2013, Bernard, then performing under the name John Colvert and living in Boston, MA, returned from a long string of shows that brought him from Portland, ME to Nashville, TN and back. Almost immediately upon his return he began to suffer from unexplained chronic migraines that would leave him nearly bedridden for months. Easily triggered by sound and bright lights, Bernard had no choice but to stow his guitar in the closet and focus on his health.

What he didn’t realize was that this initially unwelcome period in his life without music would lead to years of needed self discovery and change.

Eventually moving back to his home state of Rhode Island and finally regaining his health, he teamed up with his close friend and producer, bruce pierce, to start recording again. After over a decade away from making music, Bernard plans to release Acres in 2025.

Bernard John has opened for Steve Earle, Langhorne Slim, Joe Pug, and Joan Osborne. He has also performed on the side stage for John Prine and Lucinda Williams.