John Winn always has a tune in his head. Among his many musical talents, he has a special flair for giving ordinary things new life through song. 

The 89-year-old folk singer—whose career took him from his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri to New York City’s Greenwich Village, where he met contemporaries Judy Collins; Bob Dylan; Peter, Paul & Mary; and José Feliciano—finds inspiration from friends and family, the earth’s beauty, social causes and life experiences. 

For those who know Winn, it should come as no surprise that he’d find inspiration even after an emergency surgery last fall revealed health complications that led him to hospice care and into the loving hands of HopeWest. Winn’s cardiologist told him that only open-heart surgery could treat his problem, but he wasn’t strong enough to survive that particular surgery. 

Shortly after the surgery, Winn created “Circle of Life,” a pre-obituary recording of sorts with photos, video clips and music spanning his musical career. With the help of videographer Jon James of Shedd Studio, it debuted in Fruita last year and is one of many music videos the two have worked on together and posted on Winn’s YouTube channel. 

“I usually take a new song in once a week and play it, then Jon works his magic and it appears on my YouTube channel,” said Winn.

“Angels and Nurses,” one of Winn’s more recent songs, was inspired by the nurses and caregivers at HopeWest, whom he credits for improvements in his health. His wife, Kristin, also takes advantage of HopeWest’s grief counseling services.

“The surgeon kept me from dying and the HopeWest staff has kept me alive,” said Winn. “They gave me six months, and now it’s been nine.” 

The video was shared with the HopeWest staff at the end of their quarterly meeting. 

“His testament illustrates the incomparable impact our team makes each day, profoundly bound to the lives of the patients we humbly serve,” President & CEO Cassie Mitchell said.

EARLY ROOTS

A dynamic musician, Winn trained in classical music, singing opera and performing in summer stock productions before settling in to a comfortable folk style that accommodates his mellow tenor voice, guitar skills and composing talents. 

Terri Thal, his longtime friend and Bob Dylan’s first manager, noted two outstanding qualities to Winn’s music: his lyrics are singable and they always highlight an underlying message. 

“You can march or carry a poster to get your ideas across, but if I can put meaningful words to music to voice how I feel and share it all over the world on the Internet, then that’s what I will do,” said Winn.

In his song, “By the Old Cook Stove,” Winn reminisces about growing up in a one-room house in Hannibal, Missouri. His love of skiing in the mountains is told in “Dancing Down the Mountains Once Again,” and “Remembering the First Night We Danced” is a love song he wrote to Kristin. His concern for the world is expressed in “In the Year of 2020,” a series with a plea for change for a world at peace.

BOOKS & MUSIC

Despite his health issues, Winn continues to write music.

“He is working on his music all the time,” said Zanna Davis, his CNA. 

Colin Purser, a local musician mentored by Winn, verified his perseverance. 

“Winn will create and produce right up to the finish line,” said Purser.

Winn’s YouTube channel features over 60 music videos. He has released 13 CDs of original songs. In 2015, Winn wrote his autobiography, “This Singin’ Thing,” which is available on Amazon Books and Kindle. He also released a book of lyrics, “Songs of a Traveling Troubadour” in 2020.

Check out Winn’s music on YouTube!
@johnwinntheoldtroubadour or visit JohnWinnMusic.com

Songs from a local troubadour

88-year-old John Winn played the ’60s Greenwich Village music scene with greats like Judy Collins and Bob Dylan. Read More »