Welcome back, VibeSeekers. You're listening to
Shecky's Jam Bands, where we dive deep into music
that makes you forget what day of the week it
is. I'm your host Shecky, and today we're talking
about a group that proves soul isn't just a genre,
it's a physical requirement. We're reviewing
John Sullivan Band. All right, let's talk about
the origin story. You might think that every
jam band starts in a dorm room filled with incense
and lava lamps, but John Sullivan's path was
a bit more, let's call it, athletic. John was
actually a high level baseball player who hung
up his cleats and the piano he played since age
four to chase a professional ball career in the
Picos League. But the music siren called him
back while playing independent pro ball in Colorado,
he picked up a guitar to make some extra cash
and bars, mostly playing Jack Johnson covers
to tourists. Eventually he traded the pitcher's
mound for the full stage, full time. Heading
back east to assemble a crew of New England's
finest veterans. The band formed as a powerhouse
ensemble of soulful guitar, sultry keyboards,
and a rhythm section that hits like a freight
train. Alright, let's talk about a name. Keeping
it simple is a lost art in the jam world where
bands are named things like The Funky Collective
or something like that. John went the classic
route. John Sullivan Band. Why? Because when
you have a voice that's been described as silky
yet powerful, you don't need a gimmick. It's
a what you see is what you get situation. Though
John jokingly admits he initially hated the piano
his mom forced him to learn. Lucky for us he
didn't name the band My Mom Made Me Do This.
Okay, if you're a newbie to the John Sullivan
band and you want to understand why these guys
are a staple of the Northeast scene, start with
this one track often at the top of their live
set lists. The track is Patience and Faith. It's
a psychedelic, tinged rocker that lets the band
stretch their legs. It's a fan favorite because
of the acid -soaked riffs and the way it transitions
from a tight groove into an improvisational exploration.
It's the music equivalent of a scenic detour
that ends up being better than the destination.
Some unique and fun facts. The voice connection.
If John looks familiar, it's because he had a
successful run on NBC's The Voice. He credits
the show with rolling him a bit faster into the
public eye, though he's since focused on creative
discovery of the jam scene rather than the pop
charts. The sixth string replacement. John actually
stopped playing music entirely at age of 17 to
focus on baseball. He didn't even pick up a guitar
until his 20s. It turns out being a walk -on
at Charlotte baseball is great training for walking
onto a stage and improvising a 10 -minute solo.
His studio obsession. Despite their reputation,
the band is meticulous in the studio. They recently
released a cover of Brett Cobb's Keep Him On
Their Toes to kick off 2026, showing they can
play the thoughtful songwriter card just as well
as the face -melting jam card. Whether you're
a fan of blues rock or just someone who appreciates
a guy who can hit a curveball and a high C, the
John Sullivan band is a must -add to your rotation.
That's it for this week. Keep the vibes high
and the solos long. See you in the front row.
This is Shecky's Jam Bands signing out.