JD Snyder - Solo Acoustic Performer
JD
began playing as a solo acoustic performer in 1990 at Captains Cove
Seaport in Connecticut. At his very first gig, he was approached by
two different club owners during the first intermission to book him
at their respective clubs. Since then, he has traversed thru the
Chesepeake Bay area and on down to Nashville, Tennessee.
You can currently spot him performing at any number of yacht clubs
and restaurants on the Fairfield County coastline.
His repetoire includes country with some classic rock and pop, with
a focus on the music from the sixties and seventies. You may even
catch a few demented originals but only if the kids are packed away
and the kegs are half empty!
JD Snyder - The Songwriter
“Back in 1995, I left Bridgeport and headed
south. I had the opportunity to play with some great musicians. Mickey
Basil, who played piano for Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell and Randy
Travis, was instrumental in convincing me to go to Nashville..
If anyone would ever want to make it as a songwriter in country music,
then Nashville is the only place to be. I walked in with a sh*tload of
songs I'd done and was ready to hit the big time. Hahahaha. So was every
cab driver in town... and every waitress...and bartender.... counter
clerk....car salesman..........
The cold, hard facts?..... you're more likely to be struck by lightning
TWICE than to make it in country music. Despite having two of my songs
put on hold for Confederate Railroad and Ken Mellons (both subsequently
lost their recording contracts), the writing was on the wall...
After returning to my hometown with no regrets, I decided to abandon the
pursuit of writing commercial country songs. Probably a good move on my
part.... have you heard the new stuff that's out there these days? Talk
about crap!!!! I wanted to write fun stuff that made people laugh. Stuff
about corrupt politicians, not-so-tender love songs, cotton ponies......
you can find some snippets here.
I've gotten airplay on a few radio stations.... Imus played my song
about the corrupt mayor of Bridgeport and the one about Bernie Madoff.
Most of the other songs may be a bit too risque for the public
airwaves.... though you will find several of my CD's on jukeboxes there
and about”
Nashville??? Hahaha.... screw Nashville.
JD Snyder - The Bands
Around
1999 or so, JD was approached by a bass playing friend, King McAlpine,
who wanted to sit in on a solo gig. Before long, a third guy was added
on drums and the Penfield Reefers band was born. They’re still going
strong to this day, and can be seen at any of the yacht clubs in coastal
Connecticut.
Since the Reefers are primarily a summertime band, the itch was there
for an off-season project…..
In late 2010, the Ghost Riders band was formed with a focus on playing
country music. JD joined forces with his brother-in-law, Ed Chervansky,
on guitar and off they went.
In addition to performing as a solo acoustic vocalist, JD also performs on occasion
in the duo "T-Bone & JD" which can be checked out over
here.....
Tales from the Road
A collection of anecdotes, usually funny, occasionally pathetic, from
one man's journey down the musical highway from Connecticut to Nashville
and back. Some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent
and not-so-innocent. Click here for some
tall and short tales....