John "Shorty" Hill
Shorty Hill and the The Longhaulers
Check out this website!
Cd's available in store!!!
John "Shorty" Hill
Acoustic & Electric Guitar
There is no doubt John has lived the life of a true musician. At the early of 6, he filled the role as a conductor for the First Grade Rhythm Band, falling in love with the audience as much as they fell in love with him. He had a feeling that music had a place for him, but became sure of it as a young teen, inspired by the song "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and attending the original Woodstock.
Putting down the clarinet and picking up the electric guitar, John became the lead guitarist for the pop group The Shadows in the mid sixties. This clean-cut group of harmonizing boys later became The Shadows of Time, until eventually evolving into Lord Timothy. Their recording of "Search Your Soul" became a 60's Garage Band classic, they developed a huge following, and paid for John's college education. Not bad for a band that started out performing for high school prom dances.
During the 70's, John explored his passion for blues, swing, country, and rock-n-roll, while teaming up with several other creative rockers, and gigging through out the northeast. Some of these groups include American Stone, Sugarbear, The Full Moon Travelling Band, and finally Shorty Hill & the Longhaulers, who successfully combined small combo swing with blues, rock, and country, while generating an avid following throughout the northeast.
During the 80's, John took a break as a professional guitarist to advance his education at a graduate school in New York City, an experience he truly valued. In 1989, he returned to New England, and got together with some old rock-n-roll pals, forming the classic rock band, Lickitty Splitt.
In '94, John was offered a position as a guitarist for the band, A Little On The Side, which he enthusiatically accepted because he had long shared musical interest with bandleader Gary Schena. When Gary retired in 2001, the band became Distant Neighbors.
Still performing with Distant Neighbors, John is also actively involved as a guitar teacher and as a singer/songwriter/studio musician. John describes that his foundation is clearly rock, his influences vary, and his musical challenges are diverse. "And that's what I like! Always learning, always growing, always striving to make new music that 'connects' to people, as it often does, and as it always should."