Children Musician and Folk Rocker John Flynn Engages Audience In a Memorable Night of Stories and Songs

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Saturday was a great night for local coffeehouse .  Nancy Micciulla and headliner, John Flynn each gave performances filled with stories of sorrow, hope and good old-fashioned American bliss. The two singer-songwriters both have light-hearted stage personas paired with a classic folk-rock sound. Audiences were tapping their feet and singing along all night long.

Opener Micciulla, commutes up to Philly from her home in Rehoboth Beach on a regular basis to preform. While a lot of artists count down the days until they can quit the day job, Micciulla has found the perfect balance between her job and her music.

"I really like dealing with the public and people," she explained. Recently, she started a new job as a bank teller, which she thoroughly enjoys.

The job gives her the chance to work with people as well as maintain banker's hours, which lets her perform during weekends and nights. Most evenings you will be able to find her playing solo or with her band, Ginger, throughout the seaside town of Rehoboth. 

Her busy schedule and genuinely kind nature has led her to "bite off more than she can chew" in the past, but this year is about time management. Her New Year's resolution was to not say "yes" to everything.

"I am known for burning the candle at three ends," said Micciulla. "There are only so many hours in the day if you want me to be pleasant," she joked.

Micciulla's music is sweet, a little sensual, and usually contains a happy ending.  Her set that evening included some older material, but she also shared a few new songs. She joked with the crowd about them not having titles and then opened it up to the audience to help out. At the end of the night, a few people were lined up to give their take on the untitled songs. 

Her sound has the soft country undertone of Jewel and the folksy storyteller feeling of Joni Mitchell. Her lyrics have a quaint irony, as heard in lines like, "I packed a camera, pictures are clearer," or "I was lonelier with you than without."

Headliner for the night Flynn was found to be smiling throughout the entire night. A seasoned musician with about eight albums under his belt, he also always has his hand in some outreach program helping people find solace and excitement in music. 

After recording two children's albums, he began working with schools doing workshop programs. He works with children of all ages on various types of song projects. As a self-taught musician, he has a great way of connecting with students who have yet to pick up an instrument.

"For little kids, I would break out a harmonica on stage and tell them I didn't know how to play anybody else's songs so I started making up my own and the big secret about making up your own songs is you can't do it wrong. Kids kind of liked that; they would be the boss of their little song and when you're little, you're not the boss of very much," he explained.

Flynn's set for the evening had the energy of a rock concert rather than a "listening room." Right from the beginning, he had the crowd clapping and singing. On a few songs, the audience even took over the chorus for him.

His music is filled with uplifting and inspiring lyrics like, "strap on a guitar and open a vein, bleed for those out in the rain."

He never preaches, he's never political; he just makes the listener aware of what is out there in the world and his enthusiasm makes them realize that they can make a difference. 

Flynn preformed songs inspired by heroes such as a young marine corporal who had lost both legs and an arm in Afghanistan, but the young man's wish was only that he could go back to bring the rest of his squad home. Flynn pointed out that no matter what side of war people are on, bringing soldiers home safely is something we all agree upon.

The last song of his main set could only be described as if Alro Guthrie's "Alice Restaurant" was about a pick-up line. Flynn's humorous timing and perfect storytelling had the audience laughing and singing. Those who were not familiar with the song caught on quickly, and will not forget this performance. 

After a rousing round of applause, he picked up the guitar for two more songs. He ended the evening on a more somber note with his emotionally driven song, "Without You With Me."

Micciulla and Flynn play music that reminds us that the world isn't always perfect, but shining through is always an element of positivity. Micciulla had more personal stories that were sweet and uplifting, while Flynn touched on the big picture. Either way, they both showed that things can only change if you want them to.

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