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Melodic rocker John McMullan has become a staple on almost any powerpop
compilation these days. He's even been labeled "the pop compilation's favorite son," a title that flatters
McMullan, who actually splits his time between his music career and a fast-paced criminal law practice. Of
his unique situation, the Kennett, Missouri, native remarks, "I don't know many other recording artists who
might start a typical day negotiating plea bargains and end that same day laying down Hammond B-3 tracks."
Over the past several years, this singer/songwriter has received critical praise for many tunes including
"Summertime Karma Groove" (Burnt Marshmallows & Teeny Bikinis, 2000); "(She's A) Tasty Freeze"
(International Pop Overthrow Volume 3, 2000); "Red Lines" (International Pop Overthrow Volume 2, 1999);
"Nothing Your Eyes Won't Cure" (Pop Under The Surface Volume 3, 1999); and "She Wants Money" (Unsound
Volume 2: Guitars!, 1999).
After a childhood of classical piano training by his mother (who also trained Kennett's most famous former
resident, Sheryl Crow), McMullan discovered the world of powerpop in 1979. He formed The Trend that year at
age 16. As a college freshman in 1982, he co-produced and wrote all the songs for the band's only album,
THE TREND IS IN!. The album was favorably reviewed in Billboard Magazine and received airplay on college
radio stations. As a leader of the thriving powerpop scene at the University of Missouri in Columbia, The
Trend opened club shows for Fools Face and The Elvis Brothers while maintaining their own loyal following.
According to McMullan, the pop scene in Columbia was wonderful but destined to never last. Ultimately, the
band grew up, and maturity brought a tension to the group that led some members to real jobs-and McMullan
to law school at Ole Miss. "The time I spent in Oxford, Mississippi made me analyze my writing style," he
says. "Although melody will always be the focus of my writing, I suddenly had to care about my lyrics,
since everyone I met there had written a novel or had a book published!"
Although he stacked up song after song during his time in law school, McMullan had no real vehicle for his
songs. And, he suddenly needed to earn a living. "Practicing law was the only way I could actually pay my
bills," adds McMullan, who never originally intended to begin his career in the law field until the age of
40.
"After nearly a decade of ignoring music to establish myself as a lawyer, I realized that music was
something I couldn't ignore." In the early '90's, McMullan began making regular trips to Nashville and
Memphis for demo work. "Even though education and discipline turned me into an attorney, I was born a
musician," he says. When asked if he ever experiences conflict because of his dual pursuits, he replies,
"Of course. If I could somehow give up music totally, then I'm sure I would be quite a wealthy lawyer by
now! But I simply can't do that. What I can do though is focus. When I'm standing there in court with a
client who is facing 15 years in prison, it's time to put away those melodies that are always playing in
my head."
Now, almost twenty years after THE TREND IS IN! was recorded, McMullan offers his self-titled
debut solo CD. With this work he presents his unique view of the world, with lyric-driven songs such as
"Law School" and "That's What Dick Dawson Said." He also brings twelve melodic rock songs, influenced by
music of all types. "I don't have any excuses. This record is exactly the record I have been wanting to
make for a long, long time," says McMullan. "This one is who I am."
Full Name: John Tomlinson McMullan
Actually called: Macky, Johnny, John T, John
Date of Birth: August 23, 1963
Family: Michelle (wife: Married 2/27/95), Abigail (born 5/13/97), Marie (born 11/30/99)
Met Michelle: On Beale Street in Memphis, even though Kennett was her hometown too
Married Michelle: In Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Abigail’s favorite singer: Sara Evans
Marie’s favorite singer: Barney
Hometown: Kennett, Missouri
Population of Kennett: 12,000
Closest City to Kennett: Memphis, Tennessee (90 miles away)
Passions as a grade schooler: Competitive swimming, pinball, AM radio
Passions as a high schooler: Competitive swimming, guitars, FM radio
Wrote first song: Age 5 ("Marmaduke" – the melody sounded uncannily close to "Spiderman")
First solo vocal performance in public: "A Boy Named Sue" (In Mrs. Wheeler’s 1st grade class)
Age at first recording session: 17
Length of first recording session: 3 hours
Age when accidentally gave away publishing rights to "Lucky Day" and "She's Hi Fi": 17
Age when bought back the publishing rights accidentally given away at 17: 37
First car: 1969 Mercury Montego (in August of 1979)
Bands that mattered: The Plimsouls, 20/20, The Knack, The Cars, The Beat, Tom Petty, Nick Lowe
Wore first skinny tie: As part of The Knack, Jr. performing at a Kennett High School MOD Assembly
First job: Lifeguard
First club played by The Trend: Parody Hall, Kansas City
Wrote "Taking Me Somewhere": During summer studying at Cambridge, England
Number of trips to Liverpool during summer studying at Cambridge: 4
First radio interview: On KCOU, Columbia (the same station that later reunited Big Star!)
Initial interest in law: Publishing rights
Present interest in law: Criminal defense
Age when won first bench trial: 25
Age when won first jury trial: 26
Age when lost first jury trial: 26
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