Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, John Mueller has enjoyed a successful acting and music career for many years including TV and film roles on E! , Ellen, Lois and Clark, Brisco County Jr., Return to Horror High and the indie film Bloodline which also featured two of John’s original songs from his last CD, "Romance and Redemption." You may have also seen him on late night TV (we’re talking 3:00am) as the spokesperson for a crappy guitar he no longer remembers the brand name of. Perhaps best known for his worldwide acclaimed concert and stage portrayals of Buddy Holly, he first portrayed Buddy in a world premiere stage production of "Be Bop A Lula" in Hollywood that was produced by Adam Ant and The Door's John Densmore. He then won a Drama Desk Award for his portrayal of Buddy in the theatrical production of "Buddythe Buddy Holly Story" at Kansas City's American Heartland Theatre and held this role in many other cities including,
San Diego, Chicago, Toronto, and Miami.
Additionally, John undertook the portrayal of yet another American icon, Hank Williams in "Lost Highway" at the Old Town Theatre in Wichita, KS.
Since 1999, every winter has found John touring the frozen midwest to re-create the Winter Dance Party that was to be Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper's fateful and final tour. John has performed his Winter Dance Party show in every remaining venue that the originals did over 50 years ago and at many performing arts centers, theatres and casinos worldwide. The show has won the endorsement of the Holly and Valens estate and been described by critics and public alike as the most authentic. In 1999 the show garnered John the keys to the city of Green Bay, Wisconsin from the mayor. Additionally, the show has raised substantial monies for musical scholarships and music education programs for under funded schools.
John was proud to have performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with John Mellencamp, Marshall Crenshaw, and Joe Ely to name a few. Other highlights include a live TV appearance with over 2 million viewers nationwide on the Jerry Lewis Telethon.
John has also shared the stage with such greats as Taj Mahal, The Coasters, Marty Stuart, Dick Dale and Bill Haley’s Original Comets.
His first original CD entitled "A Boy's Gotta Do What a Boy's Gotta Do" was a fifties-esque blend of pop, rock, country and surf and featured ten original songs and two covers. The bonus track "Hey, Buddy" (tribute to Buddy Holly) first debuted live in Chicago on WGN's Steve and Johnny Radio Show and was also included on their first ever “Best of Steve and Johnnie Show” live CD entitled "Life after Dark" on the Nation Records label. The song has also aired on regional stations across the U.S. and was recently used on Geoff Barker's BBC radio documentary entitled, "The Day the Music Died."
His last CD release "Romance and Redemption" features more of John’s original songs with many musical styles and influences: Rock and Roll, folk, country, and swing, i.e., American music at it’s best. Next up, John plans to do an unplugged acoustic album of new originals and covers.
Though John is indelibly linked to Buddy Holly and Holly’s influence can be heard in some of his songs, he’ll forever continue writing and performing his own compositions and hopes to start where Holly left off: Creating new and vivid sounds in the classic American roots tradition. Hail, Hail Rock and Roll!
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