Port Townsend Leader: Maxwell Proves it’s Never Too Late…

While some aspiring artists have to moonlight as waiters or bussers to make do until their big break, one blues guitarist waited an entire career’s lifespan of bus driving before he could pursue his passion for music. John “Greyhound” Maxwell got his start in music at a young age while watching some of the greats in the blues genre, but now that he’s in retirement, he has made it his full-time mission to perform to his fullest extent.

An acoustic guitar was always laying around his childhood home – thanks to his father, who was also a musician – giving him a chance to learn the skill. Maxwell went to the Old Town School of Folk Music, where he learned folk guitar lessons, but three weeks in, he met John Long, student of Homesick James, who taught him the slide guitar technique. At that young age, Maxwell remembers thinking Long was old and seasoned from his world travels, but looking back, Long was just 22 years old, Maxwell said with a laugh. “I really got the fever from him,” Maxwell said. “He had an incredible knack for playing blues.”

Growing up in Chicago with his brother Steve, who went out to clubs such as the renowned Alice’s Revisited on the north side, Maxwell snuck in when he was about 16 to catch a glimpse of the talent that was showcased there. “Nothing can beat Chicago blues,” Maxwell said. “To me, it’s the real deal.”

His affection for his hometown was only reinforced when he learned about Elmore James and Muddy Waters, as well as Tampa Red and the other blues musicians that arose from its music scene. “I read a short piece about Tampa Red living in Chicago in the ’60s and all the house parties he used to have,” Maxwell said. “Everyone in town would be there,” he added, listing off Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Little Walter.

In 1971, Maxwell first witnessed B.B. King in concert. “Seeing him live, I remember tears in my eyes,” Maxwell said about the first of a handful of times he saw the legendary blues guitarist.

Maxwell’s nickname, “Greyhound,” came out of necessity but also because it could be applied. Since there is an evangelist preacher with his same name, including his middle initial, he couldn’t use “John C. Maxwell” as a stage name to promote himself. “Greyhound” also comes from his long and lanky body shape. The moniker was just one part of beginning his musical career only two years ago, after retiring from the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District driving a bus. Working long hours five days a week, Maxwell couldn’t fit his desire to play music into his schedule. He kept his skills sharp throughout his life, up until the point of retiring about two years ago. From that point on, his life has been devoted to creating and performing music.

His first album, 2014’s “Blues for Evangeline,” did considerably well, according to Maxwell, saying it competed in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, where it was named in the top five of the “Best Self-Produced” category. Maxwell recorded “Blues for Evangeline” nearly entirely at his home studio, only getting in contact with Rainshadow Recording’s Everett Moran when Maxwell performed at Centrum’s Blues Festival at the Fort Worden clubs. Moran asked if he was interested in collaborating, leading to the partnership and using him the Rainshadow Recording for performances as well as recording.

Complimenting Moran’s expertise in production, Maxwell pointed out his know-how of microphone placement as what he truly excels at. While his first album was primarily just himself, Maxwell’s new album, “Even Good Dogs Get the Blues,” invited fellow musicians as guests on a variety of songs. These include Paul Rogers on piano, Guy Quintino and Dirk Anderson on bass, Jon Parry on violin and his brother Steve on harmonica. “Some people don’t care for it much because it can be tedious,” Maxwell said of the recording process. “But I love all aspects of it.”

Even in the couple of short years of that he’s devoted his life to a career in music, he’s made strides in opportunities on stage. Maxwell started out at an open mic in Mill Valley, California, getting guidance from its organizer, who helped him get a couple gigs, such as opening for Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, and in other parts of the Bay Area where he also met Maria Muldaur, which was one of his most proud accomplishments to date. Another highlight of his career is when Maxwell opened for Taj Mahal and Keb Mo in Woodenville, where he took a spacious stage in front of 4,000 people. Maxwell noted that Taj Mahal was one of the first artists he followed.

“I could not have been prouder when John strode into the studio one day, grinning ear to ear, to tell me the news, declaring that ‘retiring to Port Townsend was the best career move I have ever made,’” recalled Moran upon returning from these appearances. Maxwell also opened for David Lindley at Fort Worden, with Maxwell saying he is one of the premier slide guitarists. When he heard about the show, Maxwell pushed to open it at the Wheeler Auditorium, asking Moran if he would be able to. The request was granted. Lindley connected Maxwell with his booking agent, opening doors for shows outside the region and for bigger names.

Port Townsend was the place he decided to settle, as his father, Bill, a 30-year resident, retired in the area. Maxwell was familiar with Port Townsend, as a regular attendee of Centrum’s Blues Festival for over 10 years. He also cited its beauty and music scene as alluring aspects of making it his home base after the Californian scenery.

“It’s for the love of it,” Maxwell said about his newfound life in music. “There’s a certain amount of bittersweet feeling that I didn’t spend my whole life playing at that level. At this point of my life, it feels great to be healthy and play full time.” Maxwell will celebrate the release of “Even Good Dogs Get the Blues” during a release party at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Rainshadow Recording, located at Building 315 at Fort Worden. He will be performing at the release party, along with other musicians with whom he collaborated on “Even Good Dogs Get the Blues.”

This article appeared in the Port Townsend Leader on October 2, 2018  (ptleader article, John Greyhound Maxwell)

By Jimmy Hall jhall@ptleader.com