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John Culliton Mahoney – A Treat for Music Lovers at Sportsmen’s Tavern

By Gerry Ralston

John Culliton Mahoney - a Buffalo
music Hall of Famer - performs
regularly at Sportsmen’sTavern

Almost as long as I have been connected with the Western New York music scene, I have been familiar with the name John Culliton Mahoney. He was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 1997.

In 2009, he and songwriting partner Patrick A. Gordon were selected as the winners of the Erie Canal Discovery Center’s songwriting contest for “Down on the Erie Canal.” They repeated their success in 2010 with the song, “The Legacy.”

“Down on the Erie Canal” will be one of the songs on John’s upcoming CD titled, “My Hometown,” featuring a variety of songs about Western New York and its people. He had the idea to write about local attractions more than 25 years ago, but it wasn’t until he won the songwriting contest in 2009 about a local landmark that he turned the thought into reality.

Sitting in the newly renovated Sportsmen’s Tavern on Amherst Street with owner Duane Hall, I reflected on how John has been in the forefront, whether with his bands, in the recording studio, or on stage for music in Western New York.

Frankly, a region has to take pride in its local music and musicians.

That’s how a region’s music becomes an import instead of just an importer of music from elsewhere. John is part of our history. His bio reads like a “Who’s Who” of entertainment, starting back when he formed the KB Buddies at age 15. Their instrumental, “The Beetle,” became a Top 40’s hit and eventually the theme song for WKBW Radio’s Pulse Beat News. In the 1960’s, he became a member of Barbara St. Clair & the Pinkooshins. After that, he wrote hundreds of songs and produced 23 records and 4 LP's. In 1973, he was signed to Lenny Silver's Amherst Records, and later, Swan Records and Mercury Records working with Jerry Meyers.

Sitting now watching him sing, John captivates his audience with one hit after another. Every song brings back memories of years gone by. He was the guest of DJs Danny Neaverth and Joey Reynolds, and backed up stars, opening for bands like Santo and Johnny, Brian Highland and “Lil’” Stevie Wonder. When the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars came to town, he opened for the Supremes, Dionne Warwick, Jan & Dean, Bobby Vee and Gene Pitney. With countless trips to New York City , John became a regular at notable venues, brushing elbows with greats like Jimmy Hendrix at Steve Paul’s popular nightclub, The Scene, and at Studio 54 with Buffalo-born band Raven.

John became the first artist for Amherst Records in 1973. With them, he released the album, “Love Not Guaranteed” and did a remake of Buddy Holly’s “Raining in My Heart,” backed by the Cincinnati Philharmonic.

Back in 1961, John’s career as a budding songwriter-singer-musician almost ended. One evening while returning from a gig at Silver Lake, the truck in which he was riding was rear-ended and forced off the road. John’s fingers on his right hand were nearly severed. But his driving force, his love of music, encouraged him to fight back and after what seemed forever, he overcame his injuries and was able to play again. An awesome scar remains to remind to him of how lucky he is to be able to be what some say is a master of the 12 string guitar, a trademark feature of his performances.

When producer Ron Kramer in California was searching for a vocalist to sing the lyrics for a song written for daredevil stuntman Evel Knievel, he approached John. Knievel was at his peak then as he planned his next feat, a rocket launch over Snake River Canyon . “The Ballad of Evel Knievel” was released as part of a promotional album dedicated to the stuntman.
Talking to John, I learned a lot more. He had a hand in a number of notable songs, such as “The Ballad of Wild Bill,” co-written with Johnny Winn; “Winnipeg Girl,” a song dedicated to his daughter, Shannon Colleen; “Has Anybody Seen Amy,” “Share Your Love,” “Milk and Honey,” recorded on Mercury Records; “Out of Nowhere,” “Strawberry Wine,” “Rosie,” “Summer Love,” and a remake of the oldie, “Choo-choo Boogie.”

The historic Canadiana was a song about the early Crystal Beach days. His song, “In My Mother’s Eyes,” was adopted by the Military Moms as their anthem.

It is 2012, and for one of Buffalo 's first rate performers, maturing to a mellow ripeness, to see John whether as a solo act, or playing with the Insiders, it is as it has been for decades, an experience.

John is featured every Tuesday night at the Sportsmen’s Tavern, except when they have special guest performances.
His soon to be released LP will be called “My Hometown.”

 

 

Niagara Falls Reporter www.niagarafallsreporter.com Sep 18 , 2012