Featuring songs like his original hit “The Men of the Linda E,” Captain John brings nautical, folk, country, oldies and gospel to Joe Jo’s, north of Ephraim on Saturday, March 12 from 5 to 7pm.
Captain John Nolte is a retired Great Lakes, 100-ton, Master Captain, a singer and a songwriter. He spins a web of yarns and ballads that paint images of working sailors on the decks, under sail, in storms and in shipwrecks. Watch aloft because your emotions may start to ebb and flow like the tides he unleashes.
The Captain’s fans say, “You’ll definitely know him when you see him.”
He stands 6′ 4″ in his sea boots and blue felt Captain’s Brim, lending a bit of shade to his steely blue eyes. The Captain’s booming baritone evokes memories of Johnny Cash and Stan Rogers with a hint of a southern drawl. His acoustic Taylor, 12-string guitar playing includes finger and flat-picking styles -quite easy to listen to. In order to take you into his world of wind, waves and shipwrecks, Captain John likes the minor chords, especially A and E. He often uses them to create an ominous mystic sea sound that supports some deeply emotional subjects evolved out of a life of experiences. The Captin’s work stands in sharp contrast to much of today’s lyrics.
Captain John’s “Safe Harbor” CD and original work is featured on satellite radio. But, you can see him live at Joe Jo’s Pizza and Gelato in the Red Barn collective on Saturday March 12.
Here’s a compilation of what they’re saying about Capt. John at the Fisherman’s Village, Navigator, MTOA Boat Club and all in South Florida: “Captain John’s unique blend of original recordings such as ‘The Men of the Linda E’ and ‘The Ship Beleavin’ along with many riveting nautical ballads of the Great Lakes such as the ‘Edmund Fitzgerald’ and ‘Sailing Into History’ thrills audiences from Ellison Bay, Wisconsin to Key Largo, Florida. Throw in a sea shanty, a few Caribbean tunes, some oldies by Elvis and Roy Orbison not to mention one of his humorous educational stories drawn from his many years as a commercial fisherman for a nautical set that captivates everyone, especially those who love boats and the sea. And if the Captain is in a playful mood you might even hear some political satire.”