Mountain
John

America's Last Real Troubador

Biography
John Hilligoss
The Troubadour

Note: John is almost finished writing the book of the story of his life as America's Last Real Troubador. Watch for more information soon!

The Story of ...
Mountain John

Life is a musical journey for 'John Hilligoss' ...
Singer, Songwriter, and Storyteller ...

John is a robust baritone, equal parts opera singer and country singer. His musical acumen is shaped by both a college music degree and an ongoing 33 year tour in every state of the Continental U.S. He is both a cultured impresario and road warrior.

John is one of an ever-shrinking number of musicians who rightfully can claim the title 'Troubadour'. With a flowing white beard, his omnipresent cowboy hat pulled low and a demeanor that takes nonchalance to new lengths, there is no denying he lives up to his billing.

For John, the musical journey began when his Mother gave him a guitar at age 11. He began playing in bars and coffeehouses around his native Bartlesville, Oklahoma and by the time he was in high school, he had been playing folk and country music at fairs and festivals throughout the Midwest.

John earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Pittsburgh State University in Pittsburgh, Kansas, where he studied opera. Continuing his education was not the option for John, instead he used his baritone voice and guitar as a ticket to see the world. He played his way to California and landed a contract when he arrived in Los Angeles. This is where he was
nicknamed, 'Mountain John', by masters of ceremonies who were unable to remember or pronounce his last name. John recalls, that the big break, that was to have made him a star, came when he was selected for a spot on the first Gong Show from over 700 other cowboy singers and won.

Mountain John traveled the country freely, writing songs and poetry that he performed in every town he traveled through. The relentless performing combined with his impeccable vocal technique resulted in a well-crafted, highly entertaining stage show. John's performances stitches together generous doses of folk, blues, imaginative storytelling, anecdotes and tales.

In the middle 80's, John documented his songwriting and singing skills, on his first album, 'Born to be a Rambler', recorded with a full band in Nashville. Throughout 1986 John also wrote and produced his own video, 'Running from Your Past', which aired on Country Music Videos on Nashville Network, TNN. Mountain John's voice moving effortlessly from its warm, deep baritone to a gliding yodel at various points helped him land his second big break. He was asked to join a group, sponsored by Marlboro, to tour Communist Eastern Europe.

Following his tour in Europe, he traveled to Nashville, where he hosted Willie Nelson's Radio Station, broadcasting live on the subject matter he knows best, Country Music and Poetry. The live broadcasting led him to a Music Festival in Montana, as emcee for Waylon Jennings, Emmylou Harris and more.

In 1994 Mountain John was invited to the home of Johnny Cash and wife, June Carter Cash, where during the course of the evening he was asked to tell some stories and sing. John recalls that the two compliments that he valued most in his career were:

Johnny Cash said ... 'You have the greatest voice in Country Music'.
Cal Smith of Country Bumpkin Fame said ... 'I have only known two true troubadours in my life, Ernest Tubb and Mountain John'

Many songs and poems, several Albums and CD's, have marked Mountain John's travels throughout the United States, but none describe Mountain John better then his own poem "The Pearl" ...

Two of John's poems have been published in the National Library of Poetry. You will find 'The Pearl', which won the acclaimed 'Editors Choice Award', as well as, another special favorite of John's, 'Angels In The Snow', which also won the 'Editors Choice Award'.

On his last tour, which took him again through the Midwest and eventually into Texas, John realized the desire to compile his volumes of songs and poems and returned to the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, performing in area resorts, restaurants, lounges, and conventions. One of his many ventures to New Hope, PA, he was featured in the local newspaper, who described him as a Romantic-Poetic-Cowboy-Opera-Baritone-Comedian-Folk entertainer. Whether it be a restaurant, bar, country club, coffeehouse, campground, children/family show, a private party or convention, Mountain John is the ideal entertainer to capture, awe, and hold your audience.

In March, 2002, Mountain John's musical journey continued to Daytona Beach, Florida, not for the race or a rodeo, but to perform during 'Bike Week', thus beginning another chapter in the life and travels of Mountain John.

Around the same time of the Daytona trip, Mountain John started writing a book about his life. He also produced a cd titled "The Pearl." His travels by this time brought him back to the Laurel Mountains once again. Seven Springs Ski Resort accepted him back with open arms as they had done numerous times in his career. This time Mountain John had decided that the big highway he had spent most of his life traveling on and singing was a life style he could not continue. That many years on the highway had taken its toll. He settled down and rented his first apartment in a small town, Somerset, PA. He then built a small circuit of nightclubs that would take him no further than a hundred miles from his door.

Less than a year after 9/11, 18 coal miners' got trapped at the Quecreek mine, 250 feet below the ground. When the last nine miners' were rescued Mountain John wrote a poem which became the title of a new cd, "Miracle at Quecreek Mine." He also started performing during this time period for local festivals. Along with that came childrens' shows and campfire shows for families.

During the winter of 2006, he hosted and emceed the Comedy Club during ski season at Seven Springs at which point he produced, with his help of an old friend, Todd Wilkins, an Adult Comedy DVD titled, "Live at the Seven Springs Comedy Club" The two CDs and the DVD can be purchased here on the site.

Mountain John and his wife, Jane, purchased an old motor home and now they love to travel from campground to campground. After so many years on the road playing in bars and resort restaurants and the addition of children's shows and family campfires he has decided to build a circuit of campgrounds along the east coast of the United States. He is now available for bookings for spring, summer, and fall of 2007. Hope to hear from you soon. Happy Trails,
Mountain John

Watch for news about the book of Mountain John's life and times here soon!