Thanks to Bob Stinson, Ron Asheton, and Eric Bachman, John Velghe is a failed piano player — thanks to John Lennon, Alejandro Escovedo, and Paul Westerberg, he’s a songwriter.

Born in the midwest, John Velghe (pronounced Vel-jee) writes songs leaning towards personal narratives and accounts of people he’s met over 20 years of playing in bands and touring.  From a friend’s ex-wife in Austin to a four-year-old waitress in Lucas, Kansas to a transvestite railroad worker he met on the banks of Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota; Velghe populates his songs with real characters who’ve informed personal allegories about escape, transformation and fear.

Ink Magazine writes that these songs “are a finely honed mix of well-crafted hooks, earnest delivery and skillful musicianship.” Considering his influences it’s no wonder. When people ask him who he admires, Velghe often responds “the American Masters.  Brian Wilson, Paul Westerberg, Alejandro Escovedo and James Osterberg (Iggy Pop).”

Pete Dulin of Present Magazine writes that “Velghe sings with an emotional wallop that sneaks up softly and deserves to be experienced without disruption.” (Present Magazine, Oct 22, 2010)

In a live performance Velghe and his band, the Prodigal Sons aim to impress. The band ranges from a four-piece rock outfit, to a full-on eleven-piece orchestra with horn section and string trio.  This makes the shows move from intimate gatherings to a fervor that often finds Velghe closing the show from atop the bass drum. One night audiences will find the band performing the Stooges classic “I Wanna Be Your Dog” as a tender-hearted duet, the next the song is drenched in sweat and blood in all it’s raucous punk bombast.

As an independent musician Velghe has written, performed and toured the country in several bands including The Daybirds, Saint Jude, and famous fm. His songs have been released in North America and Europe. As a composer he has scored feature-length documentaries and short films.

He has produced and recorded projects for artists across all musical genres including singer/songwriter Krystle Warren, The Depth and the Whisper, and hip hop artist Blydell (Lone Rider).