Born in Houston, Texas John started singing at 6 years of age with a voice that made the old ladies cry . In his teens he spent a lot of time playing as a solo artist at coffee houses like Sand Mountain (where Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt got started) and at parties with friends. He won outstanding vocalist in Houston while in the band The Midnight Shift (originally called TOBY) and opened for local bands like Fever Tree and The Moving Sidewalks (Later became ZZ Top), then spent a year or more singing with the band St Laufren.

Moving to Austin, TX at twenty, John returned to his solo career playing many venues and opening for people like The Vaughn Brothers (Stevie Ray Jimmy), Jerry Jeff Walker,The Lost Gonzo Band, Tom Rush, Marcia Ball, Robert Shaw (renowned barellhouse pianist), Doug Sahm and the Texas Tornados, and singing with people like Lucinda Williams and Nanci Griffith.

Winning the songwriters contest at the Kerrville (TX) Folk Festival in the early 70 s he was joined at the winner s concert by one of the judges David Amram, well known jazz musician and composer for the New York Philharmonic.

Later John appeared on the BF Deal Sampler Vol 1 as one of four artists along with Nanci Griffith, Frank Zigal and Will Walker. More recently John has opened for people like Taj Mahal, The Outlaws, Jesse Winchester, John Stewart (Kingston Trio fame) and Alice Walker (The Color Purple).

John has always been fond of the Theater and has performed in such roles as Ron in HAIR (1990) opening the show as lead vocalist in Aquarius , Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (1993) and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (1999). From his home in Colorado, John has found a new place in the music scene on the Internet.

Career Highlights/Vital Stats

• 1965 2nd place in Search For Stars in Houston TX age 12.


• 1968 Awarded two Gold medals and one bronze at UIL for Madrigal, Solo Tenor and Sight Reading age 15.


• 1970 Outstanding Vocalist Award in Houston Battle of the Bands Age 17.


• 1974 Winner of the songwriters contest Kerrville (TX) Folk Festival. Appeared on the main bill the following year.


• BF Deal Sampler Vol 1, one of four featured artists released 1976 on BF Deal Records.


• Backup vocalist on Fool For A Blonde (click title to hear song) by Roger Bartlett, from the movie cult classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre .


• CD Just Another Fool s Dance released March 2001 indie on Mp3.com, John Garza all vocals, instruments, engineering, and production. (not signed).


• 2005 John releases Diamonds Diddys Rough Cuts a collection of old and new songs.


• 2005 John wins the Durango CO Spotlight to Stardom with his song They Won t Be Speaking English When I Die . Winning him 1,000 dollars and an opening in the Ft Lewis Community Concert Hall.