Album Notes

Songwriters have sung about Chicago, Liverpool, Los Angeles, New York City, Tokyo, and other cities. Now it's time for Williamsport.

Williamsport-based "Singer at Large" Johnny J. Blair just released a download-only single entitled "Nothing Like Williamsport," a song about the city he lives in. "I didn't set out to do a gushy rah-rah tune," said Blair. "Yet it's a genuine tribute to what makes Billtown special, slanted by the reality of what is going on now, from a street level and from the perspective of young people who grew up here or go to school here.

"I don't pretend to be as talented or towering as John Lennon or Brian Wilson, but if they can write about their towns, why can't someone do that here?"

The first verse alludes to the demise of Millionaires Row and the story of Way's Garden, then fast-forwards to downtown revitalization, street scenes, and music at festivals and the Brandon Park Bandshell. The chorus describes Williamsport's geography in summer and winter, with some baseball lingo and a reference to the city's Repasz Band (the oldest community orchestra in America).

The second verse empathizes with restless young people and "their small town feelings" about busting out into the big world, only to realize the grass isn't always greener; where you are now is a fine place to start your journey.

"Dreams are spread around the land,
wherever you go with the work of your hands
Fires, floods, and sweat and drudge
And people find ways to rise above
Attitude can take you far
And new blood flows right where you are
As you climb the ladder for a rule of thumb
Don't forget where you came from."

"I thought of that because there are a number of people from this area who moved away, then circled back for many reasons," said Blair, who wrote the song one morning in 2003, then recorded it with acclaimed musician/engineer and Williamsport-native Tim Breon. The recording sat until May 2008, when Blair impulsively handed a CD of it to Mayor Gabe Campana. "He went wild over it," recalled Blair. "I was impressed that he listened to it the same day, then I was amazed that he wanted me to play it at a press conference, where it was kindly received."

Of the two versions, Blair clarified, "The Grand Slam Mix is longer; more name-checks and more baseball sound effects." A CD release in 2009 is under discussion. Word2Soul, a city-based music company, is the publisher of the song.

Blair's musical influences include punk, gospel, jazz and classical fashioned into "passionate, melodic rock." Irreverence, romance, and bittersweet spirituality characterize his "offbeat but sunny brand of pure pop music." He has collaborated with and produced a range of acts, including many projects with Davy Jones (The Monkees), with whom Blair frequently tours and records with. His "quirky music career" spans decades, with recordings that have been play listed around the world and received commendations from British pop legend Cliff Richard, rock figurehead Lou Reed, and Brian Wilson, who called Blair "a virtuoso."