By Ted Slowik
Mokena’s John Narcissi is building a name for himself as a
talented young musician and budding songwriter who delivers entertaining live
performances.
Now the 17-year-old Providence Catholic High School senior is
poised to make one of his most high-profile performances to date at the third
annual Hopstring Fest Aug. 23 at Silver Cross Field in Joliet. Narcissi is set
to play from 1:40 to 2 p.m. on the Deschutes Brewery Stage, one of two side
stages showcasing local talent at this year’s festival.
Narcissi studies guitar with Kev Wright of New Lenox, guitarist for
The Righteous Hillbillies, one of Hopstring’s mainstage performers. Hopstring
is headlined this year by rock band Cracker, known for such hits as “Get Off
This,” “Low,” “Teen Angst,” “Happy Birthday To Me” and “Euro-Trash Girl.”
Tickets for the 12-hour celebration of live music, food and craft beer
are $20 and available through hopstringfest.com.
Narcissi says he’s always been interested in music and that his
parents, John and Jane, played music around the house since he was a baby. He discovered guitar at Axes Music in
Mokena, which led to taking lessons there.
“The owner Clyde put a guitar in my hand and I said, ‘This is me,’”
John says.
He remains a multi-instrumentalist who can play
violin, cello, bagpipes and other instruments. He plays percussion with the
Providence band and he was a finalist in the 2011 and 2012 Rialto Idol Jr., singing competition.
He often performs cover versions of songs by The Beatles and such
other artists as Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Coldplay, Mumford and
Sons, Jason Mraz, Tom Petty and Blake Shelton.
Last year during a visit
to Tennessee Narcissi performed at the legendary Blue
Bird Cafe in Nashville, sharing a stage with singer/songwriters Scotty Emerick
and Marc Beeson. When the Breidert
Green stage in Frankfort was torn down and replaced in 2013, Narcissi was the
last to perform on the old stage and the first to perform on the new one.
Though he
often performs covers Narcissi writes his own poetry, has been studying
composition and has written a half dozen or so originals, including one called "Thank
You." He’s also performed on several occasions with The Righteous
Hillbillies.
“John’s a
brilliant young musician,” Wright says. “He’s got so much going on musically as
a multi-instrumentalist. And he’s very passionate about making music.”
If You Go
What: Hopstring
Fest
When:
Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Where:
Silver Cross Field, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet
Who: Local
talent and headline bands like Cracker
How much:
Tickets are $20 presale/$30 at the door
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