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photo reproduced by gracious permission of www.jlandry.com

Opry North

Name: John Mark Landry

Age: 30

Birth date: December 22, 1969

Birth place: Montréal, Québec

Home town: Montréal, Québec (although I call Gaspé, PQ home as that's where all my family is from)

Resides in: Bus & Hotel Rooms

Pets: Siberian Husky (6 months old) named Nukari

Group name: John Landry Band (haven't formalized one yet)

Instruments played: Guitar

Started performing at age: 4

Most memorable performance: I love them all.

What do you do to relax: Kayaking, traveling and camping in the most remote places I can find.

Finished CD's: 1

Cd's for sale: - Forever Took Too Long

Released 1999

Management: Sheila Szabo

3-304 Stone Road West, Suite 324

Guelph, ON

N1G 4W4

tel: (519) 831-6412

email: landrypro@msn.com

Record Label: Independent

Website: http://www.jlandry.com

Looking at the career path of John Landry one can't help but notice that in a seemingly short time this country music artist has absolutely flown through the steps, to emerge a respected and well known individual who knows where he's going and has the determination to get there. That such a talented singer-songwriter is also a very down to earth, intelligent and charming man won't hurt his career either. Knowing that music was always what he wanted to do deep down, the practical side turned him toward a career as a flight medic (no easy ride either) and he kept the music going because you never know what's down the road and dreams can sometimes come true. For the little boy who sang for his grandmother and her tape recorder to the flight medic to one of the fastest rising country stars in Canada today the road so far has been one long learning experience with the best yet to come, of that we have no doubt.

With a debut CD out in 1999 that has shown no signs of running out of top singles (Shania anyone?) and fans flowing to every show this versatile and fun loving performer is having one busy summer but you should be able to catch him in your area if you step lively enough. With the songs on "Forever Took Too Long" either written or co-written by John we do hope he has time to slow down enough to keep the ink flowing for the next one. Videos from this CD have proven very popular on CMT Canada with the latest (with Stacey Lee of Lace) debuting at #20 this past week. The various music associations haven't overlooked this emerging star either, with John being nominated for or winning awards with every release and there's no slowdown in sight. The mark of a true professional is the company you keep, and John has been keeping some pretty established company lately. Besides his collaboration with the fantastic Stacey Lee, John has another duet with Canada's Golden Girl, the lovely Beverley Mahood. He has appeared recently with some of Canada's greatest entertainers (Chris Cummings & Terri Clark), written with some of the best songwriters (Rich Baker & Fred Hale) and counts many artists who are amazing in their own right as friends (Jamie Warren & Jim Witter and so on). With a vocal style that is unique and indescribable (the closest I could come is merging Randy Travis and Dwight Yoakam) and an ability to write the kind of songs that say volumes and are timeless I know that John Landry will be a leading player in country music for many, many years. I know a winner when I see one and he most definitely has what it takes to get wherever he wants to go.

We have been very fortunate to have met with John many times now and we are absolutely delighted to have him as the subject of this months' artist profile. We've had the chance to see him perform with many of his talented peers and on his own, we've had the chance to watch him interact with his fans and we've been lucky enough to have had a few conversations with him when he's had the time. He is the most focused, introspective, articulate and intelligent man, with a great sense of humour and a love of life that comes from doing what he does best and loves to do. As the following section will show you, he is also very candid and upfront about what he thinks and the experiences he's had so far. Every time that we've been able to see him he's always been warm, welcoming and always a gentleman. If anyone deserves to succeed at what most of us could only dream of it's John Landry.

Recently we were honoured to be allowed by John and his manager, Sheila Szabo, to cover a concert in Durham Ontario where John was appearing with Chris Cummings and Terri Clark. Sheila performed miracles to allow us to take some photographs for this profile and the report we would do about the show (see our Northern Scenes section for the full report) and we can't thank them both enough for helping us during what must have been a very busy week. It was just an example of why you know some will make it, they're too good not to and it's not in their nature to do anything halfway. John and his band did an excellent job of opening the triple bill, performing many songs from the CD "Forever Took Too Long" during their section of the show. Fans for all of the performers were present and John had quite a group descend later for requests for meetings and autographs. As we tagged along with him to meet some of them you couldn't help but feel something when you saw the hopeful faces down the hall turn to big smiles when they saw the dressing room door open and the tall, dark clad figure stride out. That someone could cause that much happiness and create a special memory for others is such a gift and, as John says, "a responsibility", and I can only imagine how it must make him feel when he sees those faces light up.

He is so good at what he does and yet, as you talk to him about any number of things, you forget that just half an hour before he was putting on an amazing show with his band for hundreds or thousands of people. He is surrounded by people most of the time but stands apart somehow, even when he's having a humorous exchange with someone. He may seem to be kicking back and relaxing but you know there's a whirlwind going on somewhere there. You get the feeling that he could be quite exacting and driven and yet there's such devotion and loyalty toward him by those who get to know him. You tend to feel protective about him even though he's a fit, young strapping fellow who seems to be a lot taller than he is (maybe it's the boots). A mass of contradictions? Absolutely! But that's what's makes him so different and that's why he'll go to the top. Look at every person who has stood head and shoulders above everyone else, in any field, not just entertainment. They'll all possess those same qualities or inspire those feelings in others.

As you read the following keep in mind that this 30 year old man could be your son, your brother, your neighbour, your daughter's first crush (most likely) and that what he is actually is one of Canada's fastest rising country artists. By the time you're finished just see if you don't feel a little of what I've described above toward him. I know you will.

Starting Out

Q: Looking back on your earliest experiences in the music industry what did you learn that made the most difference at that time?

"Learning the difference between those who are in it for the love of the music business and the ones who are just in love with themselves."

Q: What is the one part of the music industry that you had to learn about that you hadn’t really thought of when you started out?

"There were a lot more than one, but the most prominent would be publishing; I never considered myself a songwriter even though I wrote quite a bit, so I had not considered the publishing side of things. The publishing dept. is a whole field on it's own and you need to know at least the basics."

Q: What two things would you say are the most important things to do or have to succeed to the level you’d wanted to out of the following: practice, ambition/determination, organizational ability, creating enough buzz.

"Ambition/determination and if you mean by 'creating a buzz' marketing then most definitely creating a buzz."

Q: Being aware of the highly competitive nature of the music industry were you given any guidance or support from established performers on your way up, and how valuable has that been?

"Jamie Warren and Beverley Mahood were instrumental in softening some of the blows, they both had been through it and by talking with them frequently I was able to avoid some major mistakes. Not to mention that they've since become great friends whom I love working with. I've since befriended many artist's in the industry, but they were the first two."

Q: The world of press kits, promo shots, making contacts and networking may seem overwhelming to someone just starting out. What’s the best advice you could give someone regarding getting all this sorted out?

"Have a plan, set it up before you get started and make sure you've got the resources to go through with it. I guess you've really got be honest with yourself and admit your weakness' and focus on your strengths and the strengths of your team."

Q: As an up & coming artist did you find it was difficult to get your name and your sound out into the public at times? That there was a shortage of showcase media be it print or electronic to fill the void between the clubs and the stadiums?

"We've had some frustrating times but they build character and we've been able to either go around or bowl over most obstacles in our way. There's always a solution, you just got to find it."

Q: Looking back, do you feel that focusing on being a songwriter, learning about producing or learning about the whole process was the thing you should have done as opposed to what you did do? Or, are you satisfied with your route and wouldn’t have changed a thing?

"I think we're heading in the right direction, what I want to be improving on or learning, I'm doing it. There's a lot to learn, but it's an on-going thing. No one will ever learn it all."

First Making it “Big”

Q: With success comes a lot of responsibility. How do you decide when it’s time to delegate some of the load, who to delegate to and what you’ll keep for yourself?

"Like I said before, if you're honest with yourself and you believe in your team as much as they believe in you, then the system will work itself."

Q: If the success you’ve worked for seems to be overwhelming you and you’d like to step back for a breather is that acceptable or is there pressure to keep the push on while you’re hot?

"For myself, I won't burn myself or my team out. If it looks like we need a breather, then we take one. We can't give what the fans want if we're burnt out and we're very strict about giving the fans our 100%. I don't think that has slowed us down any, it's easy to work hard when you love what you're doing."

Q: Some people are content to stay on the same path they’ve always been on after they’re successful. Others see it as a good time to show versatility and go in a different direction. Not always to people’s liking. Can you see yourself breaking out into slightly different direction instead of staying on the safe road?

"Staying on the 'safe' road has never really been my thing, I've always been the kind that's going to watch what direction everyone else is headed in and then head the opposite direction. That's probably why I love the wilderness and traveling to remote areas, it's an incredible feeling to feel like you're the first person who's walked this ground or run this river. Honestly though, if I was a normal person, I wouldn't be in the music industry."

Q: The team you choose to help out when things take off plays a large part in how stress free things become. What qualities must you look for to be sure the person you've chosen is right for the team?

"First and foremost is, do I get along with them. After that as long as they know their job and are good at it, everyone's happy. I spend a lot of time with my team and I'd rather it be a pleasant experience."

Q: It’s been said that the music industry is a very small world, with you running into the same people all the time. I know it’s important to always treat others the way you’d want to be treated but have there been instances where you’ve been caught off guard with someone popping up where you really didn’t expect them to (or want them to, maybe)?

"Everyone's got their own opinion, and although I try to keep mine to myself, there have been a few instances where I've been surprised, (though certainly not disappointed), that someone has attained a certain level or been at a certain function."

The Future

Q: With the arrival of the cyber age, with online stores, MP3’s and the like how do you see the music industry changing? Can you see contracts in the future outlining who has what rights in relation to the Internet?

"It's been on it's way for quite a while, and I find it exciting to know that markets are moving into a global status. Borders and distances are being taken out of the equation and as an artist who's goal it is to touch as many people as possible, it's a fantastic thing."

Q: Will there be such an importance in being signed by a major label do you think, with the ability to produce, promote and sell material independently taking off?

"Being with a major record label certainly makes it easier, but you also lose a little on the personal side of things, so it really depends on what your focus is. The entertainment business is a very expensive business, so to compete with the kind of capital some of these labels can come up with is extremely hard. I think a down side to the internet is that it's a lot less personal. Talking to a fan via e-mail, versus actually meeting them, well there's really no comparison."

Q: Can you see such independent productions being accepted into the same leagues as the major label productions by both or either the industry or public?

"I don't think the public really cares if you're with a major label or not, they know what they like and they don't need anyone telling them."

Personal Questions

Q: What, if any, preparation did you have to do to get started or advance? Has there been vocal, dance, maybe business instruction along the way?

"I don't think there's any one thing, life I suppose set me up for it. Until you're actually in the business, you have not idea what to expect. So you continuously learn and keep you and your team ready to move when the opportunity arises. Many times we've set out plans, only to find out that we made a huge mistake and it was only the teams' skill and a little luck that kept us from falling on our faces.

Q: What surprised you the most about being in music? What elements caught you off guard or weren’t what you’d expected?

"The fans, I had no idea they would be so receptive. I look like I'm having a great time on stage because I really am, they make it easy for me."

Q: What part of the up & coming process would you change if you could? Or do you feel that everyone should take some bumps along the way?

"I think that with any high profile position comes a lot of responsibility, it can't be too easy. You're earning the attention of thousands, sometimes millions of people, I think you should have to work your butt off for that kind of reward."

Q: What was it like when you first started recording? How prepared did you feel going in and how prepared were you really?

"I felt that I was extremely prepared. Truth be known, I knew nothing, not even how to sing properly in a studio setting. Thank God, I had a wonderful (and patient) producer, Rick Hutt, who's probably forgotten more about music than I'll ever know."

Q: They say to be good at what you do you have to keep learning. What areas of the music business do you want to start learning more about next?

"I've been learning what I can about the producing side of things. I've had the opportunity to work with and meet some great producers and I would love to be able to learn as much as I can from them, both for myself and to help other artists. There's so much to learn, but like everything in the music business it takes heart and a love for the music. If you've got that, then you're off to a decent start."

Q: If you had to choose one part of the music industry and do only that one thing what would it be?

"Definitely performing, there's no other feeling in the world like it."

Q: What did you discover about touring that you hadn’t expected?

"Central North America, from the Arctic to the Mexican border is flat, very very flat."

Q: Any tips to make things run smoother?

"Only one, surround yourself with great people, and some of it might rub off."

Q: Are there any projects coming up that you can tell us about?

"Nope, those are all classified 'TOP SECRET', and I like you guys way too much to have to kill you. So you'll just have to wait and see."

Q: What would you like to do for 2000 that you haven’t tried before?

"I'll be trying my hand at producing, and I think I might be able to do it without embarrassing myself."

Opry North would like to thank John Landry for his help with this profile and his unhesitating support for our efforts. With artists like John and managers like Sheila Szabo country music is in excellent hands and we will always value their friendship and input and we will do our best to do them justice, always. Anything we can ever do guys, just name it! You're the best!

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