INTERVIEW
As the old saying goes: “Experience is the best teacher.”
As the old saying goes: “Experience is the best teacher.”
And for vocal artist John Beyer, experience is also a pretty good way to get inspiration for creating songs that have real meaning in people’s lives.
At age 64, Beyer recently released his fourth and latest single, titled “Big Girl,” a duet with vocalist Mia Gentile. In this adult contemporary/rock ballad, John and Mia deliver a captivating vocal performance of a battle between a dad and his daughter that provides an inside look at the family tension that can erupt on occasion.
“Big Girl” was written by “The Captain” (professionally known as artist/songwriter/producer Benjamin Hey!). John and Ben made connections three years ago through a mutual friend – and they’ve been collaborating together on music ever since.
One day, John had an interesting story that he shared with Ben about an interaction he once had with his daughter when she was a teenager.
Said Ben: “Apparently, she got a little rebellious (John interrupted: ‘A lot rebellious.’) - and then John lost his temper a little bit (John: ‘I lost it a lot.’). Being a daily songwriter, I didn’t know what the song inspiration was going to be that day. But as soon as John told me that story, I knew I wanted to write a song where John would get to tell his side of the story and then the daughter gets to give her side as well.”
As an adult now, John’s daughter loved the song. Ben initially wanted her to be John’s duet partner, but she said she did not want to be a recording artist. So Ben went out and cast a daughter for John to perform with.
Enter…Mia Gentile.
“Mia even looks a little like John's daughter and they’re about the same age,” said Ben. “But more importantly, John has a strong presence when he’s performing - so I knew that whoever we found, she had to be a strong woman. And Mia is definitely a strong woman – and she has a big voice.”
John said that singing “Big Girl” and performing in the music video allowed him to once again tap into his alter ego called “Drama Pop.” It all began in 2023 when John released a dramatic pop/rock song called “Revenge” (written by Benjamin Hey!) – and he made use of his natural acting ability and turned up the drama and campiness in the music video.
Ben coined the name “Drama Pop” for John and said it has a double meaning. Early on, he noticed elements of drama in John’s voice – and he realized that John actually is not just a recording artist when he sings, but he is performing as an actor as well.
“The other meaning has to do with the fact that I greet my followers by saying ‘Hey Kids,’” said John.
Through John’s music production company – John Beyer Music, he wants to make music that moves people, one song at a time. His first release, called “Powerless,” is an emotion-filled ballad that reflects on his own issues with addiction as a young man and the gift of recovery.
Also in JBM’s catalog are the Benjamin Hey! led recordings…“Ra-ta-tat-tat,” an anti-gun violence song, and “No Samples,” which expresses the desire for romantic love.
According to John, the songs he’s released so far have a personal message – and they were created to tug at the listeners' heartstrings.
And there is one listener in particular that makes it all worth it for him.
“The best part of this experience is that I now have a three-year old granddaughter who asks for ‘Grandpa Songs’ all the time,” said John. “She can't wait for my picture to come up on Spotify and hear my songs, and that’s what it’s all about. We have video clips of the two of us on social media - and people have really connected to those.
She’s only three years old, but she might be my biggest fan!
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