About Me

Who is Armistead?

John Armistead grew up in Concord, Massachusetts, surrounded by the rich folk music heritage and literary history of the northeast. From an early age, he was immersed in the sounds of classic folk, country, and rhythm and blues music, listening to Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Bonnie Raitt. His mother’s collection of vinyl records, featuring legends like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Emmylou Harris, became the soundtrack to his childhood and planted the seeds for his musical journey. John even writes on the same Martin guitar he played as a teenager.

John moved to Los Angeles to pursue a liberal arts degree at Occidental College, where he discovered his talent for storytelling. During late-night sessions in his apartment, he began combining his love for narrative writing with rhythmic acoustic guitar. What started as a personal outlet soon developed into a passionate pursuit as friends encouraged him to perform at local open mic nights.

Upon graduating, John spent several years in Los Angeles, honing his craft while working various jobs to support himself. The urban landscape of LA influenced his writing, but he always felt the pull of his mother’s Nashville roots. John moved to Nashville for business school at Vanderbilt, started a family and a career in data analytics.

However, When personal tragedy struck, John decided to fully embrace songwriting/publishing as a profession. His songs have provided John an outlet for grief and as a result, healing.

Since 2024, John has immersed himself in Nashville’s vibrant songwriter community, crafting emotional, story-telling lyrics with an alt-country feel reminiscent of Tom Petty or John Prine. His songs explore themes of grief, resilience, and finding joy in unexpected places, resonating with listeners who have experienced their own struggles and triumphs. The result: Americana for the Healing.

Highlights

Goals

ASCAP IPI # 1281307863