Johnny Bauer

Johnny was born with music running through his veins. Both of his parents were naturally musical. His mom’s family always loved country music which led her to have a passion for singing, and his dad was a big Chet Atkins fan and picked up the guitar while serving in the Army. From a young age he was involved in the family band, “Bauer Power,” at first just making an appearance as Baby Elvis, but later singing with his mother and sister while his father and brothers played guitar and keyboard. It was in the downtime during festivals and jamborees when he began wanting to sing and write his own music.

He started taking music more seriously in high school, where he went through three different “garage bands” with his friends and began experimenting with guitar. He also had vocal coaching from the same teacher that coached Renee Fleming, the now famous soprano. Perhaps Johnny’s fondest memory, though, was playing with his brothers and father in their 80s rock band “Mentor”. This first foray into professional music is even more important to him now, as his father passed away in 2008.

In his 20s, Johnny began to pursue his career as a professional musician and songwriter more seriously. Those that knew him back then, however, saw the heavy country influence his father had left- evident in the cowboy hat, belt buckle, and cowboy boots he performed in. He was the supporting act for many national country acts, and met artists, such as Keith Urban, that would continue to inspire him today. During this time Johnny also made his first trip to Nashville, Tennessee, which ignited his passion to be in the music business even further. He dove into the music scene there with his typical enthusiasm and won several singing competitions.

After the birth of his two sons, he devoted himself to an intense schedule of solo acoustic performances in Rochester for many years- Some years performing as many as 250 shows in a year. This led him to be highly respected locally by venues, clients, and fellow musicians and expanded his performances to include many private events. Another result of so many solo performances was attaining the expertise in guitar and vocals he had been seeking all along. Songs of all genres were performed with looping effects and harmonies with the skill of an experienced professional. The banter and confident connection with the crowd now came easily, and made Johnny well-known as a musician and entertainer. People know it is Johnny Bauer they are looking for when they want that “full band” sound from just one man.

In recent years, Johnny has begun to be more selective in his ventures after so many years in the business. If you ask him, he will say, “Now I only want to do what I enjoy.” This has led to the incorporation of almost every genre into his repertoire and songwriting. He also performs with several different types of bands to allow for the freedom on electric guitar that just isn’t feasible when playing solo. With one band- “Great Escape” he performs original music, blues, and rock, and another band, “Ignite Audio,” returns to his 80s rock roots with his brother, Danny. His newest project, called “Band of One,” is his most challenging yet, in which he plays 4 instruments at once with a modified guitar and drum kit. This features a whole new flavor of originals that just couldn’t be performed with an acoustic guitar alone.

He is currently working on a new album to follow up his first full length CD released in May 2014. There is, in fact, so much material waiting to be recorded, it’s hard for him to try to keep up. That’s why you will frequently hear never-released songs at a show. And when Johnny tells you “I play some of everything,” just know that he’s not exaggerating!