John Spengler started playing guitar over 50 years ago. His first guitar teacher was none other than the late great Charlie Bird. After leaving the jazz guitar world in middle school, he formed a rock band called The Electric Spinach. They performed in seventh and eighth-grade dances in the Washington D.C. area. Then, after moving to Colorado at the beginning of his senior year of high school, he played in several bands. While attending the University of Colorado Boulder, John continued to play with fellow students and friends, mainly in the dorms. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Biology, he returned to Colorado Springs and formed the local acoustic duo Sage. During this time, he learned to hone his performance skills. Two years later, he formed the popular regional band Lip Service. Lip Service went on to have a great seven-year run performing in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Arizona. John remained the frontman throughout several personnel changes, ending the band in 1989. Following Lip Service, John was a high school science teacher for 31 years, occasionally playing music with colleagues and students.
John’s primary musical mentors/inspirations are Neil Young, John Prine, Dan Fogelberg, and James Taylor.
After retiring from education, his interest in songwriting and public performances grew. In 2024, he released two CDs/EPs and one full-length album of all original music.
DISCOGRAPHY
Workin’ On It (2017)
What Would You Change (2019)
You Can’t Beat Fun! (2024)
He plays in the band John Spengler & Frenemies alongside Winston McCullough (keyboard, backing vocals), Evan Johnson (drums, percussion, backing vocals), and a rotating cast of guest musicians.
This performance includes the Frenemies core with Brian Chomka on bass and Doug Conlon on lap steel and mandolin. He hopes you enjoy the show, and remember, You Can’t Beat Fun!
Opening:
Carie Edwards, Lawrence Shiroma
(+++ ABOUT OUR OPENING ACTS +++)
+++ NO ADVANCE TICKET SALES. ADMISSION IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED AT THE DOOR. +++
Doors open at 6:15 pm; the concert starts at 7:00 pm with two opening acts. $15 general admission, $8 members and students with ID; free for ages 12 and younger (become a member before or at the show and $tart $aving right away!).
No advance ticket sales. Admission is only at the door.
+++ Free, off-street parking is available in the church lot across the street from our hall. +++
Baked goods, coffee, tea, and water are available for purchase in the Community Center.