John Wesley (born John Wesley Dearth, III aka Wes Dearth June 1962) is an American singer, songwriter and guitar player. John Wesley's professional music career began in the early 1980s in the Tampa, Florida area where he founded 1991 Southwestern Music Conference's showcase act Autodrive along with drummer/producer Mark Prator. The following year, Wesley embarked on a solo career and became the opening act for British rockers Marillion on seven consecutive tour legs around the world, especially North and South America, the UK and Europe.
In 1998, Wesley and ex-White Lion frontman Mike Tramp were the opening act for the Peter Frampton/Lynyrd Skynyrd tour. Following this was several world tours with Marillion's former singer Fish. In 2001, John Wesley was the primary co-writer of Fish’s Fellini Days album. Most recently, John Wesley has performed as sideman, guitarist/vocalist for Porcupine Tree, during the In Absentia, Deadwing, Fear of a Blank Planet and The Incident world tours.
In 2005, Wesley produced and recorded his fifth studio release, Shiver. The album was co-produced by drummer and co-owner of his Tampa, Florida recording studio, RedRoom Recorders, Inc., Mark Prator, and mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree.
In 2011, Wesley partnered with UK native Dean Tidey (Feeder live guitarist), to produce his EP, the lilypad suite. Wesley’s sixth full-length studio album, Disconnect, is currently under production, to be released in 2011.
Other people Wesley has worked include Sean Malone, Steve Hogarth (Marillion's singer since 1988), and Steve Rothery (Marillion's guitarist). He has also performed as an occasional fill-in bassist and lead guitarist for Florida-based group Sister Hazel.
On August 24, 2007, Wesley announced that he was making his back catalog of solo material available for free download on his website.
The current studio and touring line-up for John Wesley's band consists of:
- John Wesley - Lead guitar and vocals
- Travis Hearne - Bass
- Mark Prator - Drums and Percussion
- Dean Tidey - Guitar
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