From the town of Media, PA, singer/songwriter John McManus has been turning heads with his poetic music and poignant lyrics.  Guitar in hand, he has been gaining exposure as an expressive musician with an alternative style, desiring to share his life thoughts through music by playing in bars, cafes, and theatres.  John is in the works of creating a new album, of which he says, “It’s not for the platinum record or anything – it’s just to share the music.  I want to share my stories.”
 
John McManus first performed live as a musician when he started a band with some friends in high school, taking his first guitar class in his sophomore year.  He started exploring the art of writing lyrics as well, and even wrote a few songs.  He graduated from Penn State planning to be a history teacher, but his new passion surpassed his original life outline. John fell in love with not only sharing the music, but seeing the way his audiences absorbed it and how it impacted them.   “I love being out there with the people,” John says. “I’m not gonna hide behind the curtain after the performance is finished.  I want to be out there in the mix, talking and hearing about people’s lives and stories.  It’s just what I do.”
 
In 2005, John’s mother was diagnosed with cancer.  After an unsuccessful operation and a tiring span of chemotherapy, she passed away in 2006.  John admired his mother above anyone else and her death brewed an even more intense passion to help others in song than he previously felt.  “Writing is an expression of a feeling you have---a selfish thing---but hopefully listeners can relate to it,” John says.  In the future, McManus wishes to partner with some worthy causes.  John’s songs can almost be seen as life chapters put to music; each one echoes an emotion felt during a point in life.  His motto in life, “P.M.A.” (Positive Mental Attitude), finds its way into his music, revealing how he reacts to life’s curveballs.  
 
Of late, John’s song “The Platform of Our Lives” won a songwriting contest, inspiring Realize Records’ Paul Lewis to record a cover.  As John breaks into more mainstream coverage of his music, more can be expected of him.  Having written hundreds of songs that slip between the fingers in years past, we anticipate the songs that John will now bring to life for us.  We might even see some piano riffs and bass lines from the “Manus” himself – he’s taking lessons.  You can spot him in bustling, sociable places like bars and cafes.  But if he’s busy typing into his iPhone don’t distract him – he just might be storing lyrics in his notepad.  With an album on the way and venues stretching their necks to see what the commotion is all about, John better lace up those Converse sneakers he likes so much -  he’s got quite a ride ahead of him.


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