The Musical Journey of John McCallum: From Tribute Bands to YouTube Stardom

 

If you're in the Salt Lake area, you might want to check out the upcoming performance of a Pink Floyd tribute band featuring none other than John McCallum. Having recently reconnected with childhood friends, he’s excited to fill in as a utility musician for this unique gig where they’ll sync *Dark Side of the Moon* with *The Wizard of Oz*. It promises to be an all-ages event on March 7th, and knowing John's talents, it's sure to be fantastic!

A Trip Down Memory Lane

In a recent podcast episode hosted by Matt Allen and Zak Davis, John shared his nostalgic journey through music—a path marked by friendship and creativity. Growing up together allowed them to bond over guitars and their shared love for music. As life progressed, they drifted apart but fate intervened when John's mom mentioned him at an art event attended by Zak's family.

"This reconnection led us back into making music together," said John. With Zak’s project Z Frequency underway, he reached out to collaborate which resulted in a song titled "Splendid Situation." “It turned out so good,” Zak remarked during their chat; it quickly became one of his favorites.

Multi-Talented Musician

John's musical versatility is impressive—he plays around 20 instruments! While many musicians focus on mastering just one or two instruments, John has dabbled in everything from guitar and keyboard to even bagpipes—a nod towards his family's Scottish heritage. His diverse musical experience is evident not only from his instrument collection but also through his ability as a producer.

John recently started his own YouTube channel focused on helping musicians improve their skills—particularly guitarists. “I initially wanted it to cater more broadly,” he explained but soon found himself gravitating toward more guitar-oriented content instead.

"My real goal is just trying to help musicians who are either starting or maybe intermediate," he adds while emphasizing that each video offers insights based on personal experiences rather than rigid ‘how-to’ methods.

The Heartfelt Covers Project 

Reflecting deeper connections through music, John's recent covers pay tribute not only to classic songs but also hold sentimental value related directly back home—with many being dedicated memories linked closely with his father. For example:

- **"Dreams"** - Fleetwood Mac

- **"We Gotta Get Outta This Place"** - The Animals

- **“Carry On”** – Crosby Stills Nash & Young

- **“Happy Together

📺Watch the full episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@zhzpodcast

Also available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

John McCallum's Links:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0c2tzLGwwclgq7opdeEX6J?si=qr_TLTBRTTGYNDZz3G1T0g

Official Website: https://johnmccallummusic.com

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@johnmccallummusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/John-McCallum-Music/61566369245122/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmccallummusic/