Since leaving Honest Sam And The Dealers, one of Scotland's top new country bands of the late 80s/early 90s, John has become an established name on the Scottish roots, country and folk music scene, gaining a reputation as a singer and writer of finely crafted, country influenced songs.
He has built up a wide range of performing experience on radio and on the club and festival circuit including appearances at Glasgow's Mayfest, Big Big Country and Celtic Connections, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, The Eaglesham Roots and Bluegrass Festival and the Highland Festival in Inverness. John also performed at two sell out Gram Parsons tribute concerts and has supported several major acts including Gene Parsons (ex Byrds), Martin Carthy, Alison Brown, Eric Taylor, Clive Gregson, Tim O'Brien, Kate Campbell Bob Cheevers and Roger McGuinn.
John's music has been variously described as:
"a mixture of country and folk influences with intelligent, thought provoking lyrics"
"like a male Mary Chapin Carpenter" (!)
"contemporary country with a hint of Jackson Browne"
To date he has released two independently produced albums, "No Songs About Trains" and "...If All Else Fails" both featuring all original compositions. A new CD "holler til dawn" was released in March 2002. A new CD is pencilled in for 2005.
What they are saying about holler til dawn - a selection of reviews from around the world.
This album proves that there are writers and performers in British Country Music who are well worth listening to: fine lyrics, a good range of styles, and admirable musicianship cuts holler til dawn from the herd, and should be checked out. Al Moir - Country Music People.
...everything that can't fail to make a good Americana album. Hinshelwood's songs sparkle thanks to his perfectly suited vocals. Americana UK.
... a top class album. Superb quality singing and music, and an excellent production. Graham Hassall - Radio Nightingale, Nottingham
Superb debut from John. ReinWortelboer - Peelgrass Radio, Holland.
Great music. Trudy Burke, WYN FM Radio, Australia.
Damned good, great music and beautiful songs. I will give this regular airplay. Theo Geenen - Radio ATZ, Belgium.
A whole bunch of excellent instrumental and vocal contributions....Hinshelwood's material covers the whole spectrum of Country / Americana, leaving out the over produced rhinestone clad Nashville C and W stuff...and does it all well.....Hinshelwood and littleroots have hit the bullseye with this recording. DaveArcari - Perthshire Advertiser.
...real fine music... I love every song on the CD... a wonderful album. Friedrich Hog - Radio Free FM , Germany.
John is not only a great writer, he's a great observer as well. His music is different from the norm. It's country for sure, but it's really more than that. The music is the kind can be playing in the background of your life, and still move you by its mood.It's very difficult to pinpoint this music, but the only thing I can pinpoint for sure is that it is very good. Linda Fryer - Countryfryednews, U.S.A.
...if I had to mark each number out of 5, there wouldn't be one with less than 4, that's how good I think it is.John Brookfield - Pathfinder magazine.
Two tracks, Your Move, and We're all in this together have featured in the European Independent Radio airplay top 40, and the CD is receiving regular radio plays in Scotland, England, Holland, Belgium, Australia, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Germany, France and Cyprus.
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