John Manly

John Manly, a new comer to the Country Music scene was born and raised in Melton on the western outskirts of Melbourne, has been writing and performing since he was 12 years old.

During the late 80's to mid-90's John released three cassette singles and performed in and around Melbourne. His music has covered a wide variety of musical styles ranging from Pop to Rock and Country.

John developed an interest in music at the age of twelve, teaching himself to play guitar and write his own songs. Over the next few years, he became involved in the music ministry of his home church, plus becoming involved in playing in several garage bands.

October 1990 saw the release of John Manly's first cassette-single, I'm A Rebel. The release received steady airplay on several of Melbourne's community radio stations, including 3WRB and 3RIM. Two more cassette singles followed I’m A Rebel. Get Wise (July 1991) and With Love (April 1994) that feature Merelyn and David Carter (Carter & Carter) on backing vocals and guitar respectively.

During this period John had performed in various churches, youth groups, coffee shops, retirement homes and other community events.

After several years of non-involvement in music, due to personal issues John had to deal with, including experiencing a divorce, depression, having a nervous breakdown and being suicidal.

In the late 90’s John began writing again and experimenting with computer based synthesizer music. Writing songs about what he had been going through over the last several years. It was during these years John was also bitten by the country music bug, which was quickly put aside on the back burner.

In recent times, After John had been encouraged to do something with the country songs he had written in the late 90’s, he has been focusing purely on Country Music, inspired by the likes of Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand and Troy Cassar-Daley. John has now begun playing in front of an audience again after a decade.

John Manly has a new determination and passion. After using computers and sequenced accompaniments, John had gone back to the basics of a single voice and guitar and the new songs are about Writing songs about life, the good, the bad, the ugly and at times the humorous.

In January 2007, John will commence recording his debut album, which is to be titled 'Paint By Words.' After which John aims at taking the songs beyond his hometown of Hervey Bay.