Artist Information
He went on to star in a number of made-for-television projects including Dream House, Stagecoach (Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash) Happy Endings, and Run (Kirk Douglas). John appeared on Desperate Housewives (ABC), 90210 (CW), The Secret Life of The American Teenager (ABC Family), Nip/Tuck (F/X), Touched by an Angel (CBS), and provided voice-over The Mummy (Kids’ WB) animated series.
John starred in the CW hit, Smallville as Jonathan Kent, and currently plays the powerful Judge Jim Cryer in the smash Tyler Perry’s The Haves and Have Nots on OWN.
As a budding young musician in the early ‘80s, John signed with the Scotti Brothers Label and released his debut album Now or Never, which peaked at No. 8 on Billboard, with the single of Elvis’ “It’s Now or Never” launching to No. 4 on Billboard, and remains the top Elvis cover of all time.
In 1984, John signed with MCA Nashville and released Too Good to Stop Now which included his first two Billboard No. 1 singles, "I've Been Around Enough to Know" and "Country Girls” with “Country Girls” a simultaneous No. 1 on CAN Country music chart.
The following year, he released Tryin' To Outrun the Wind, and was followed by A Memory Like You which debuted as the No. 1 Country Album on Billboard, and included two No. 1 singles on Billboard and CAN Country, "What's a Memory Like You (Doing In A Love Like This)" and "You're The Last Thing I Needed Tonight”.
In the late '80s, John continued recording and releasing albums including his quintessential John Schneider’s Greatest Hits record on Geffen. Taking some time off to pursue acting opportunities, returned to recording with Worth The Wait, John's Acoustic Christmas, The Promise and his most recent album, Home For Christmas, with The Dukes of Hazzard co-star, Tom Wopat in 2014.
John and producing partner, Alicia Allain of Maven Entertainment own and operate John Schneider Studios producing films such as Like Son, Anderson Bench, Inadmissible, Smothered and 4:GO. The duo created CineFlix Digital on Demand a premium subscription-based streaming service showcasing their films and exclusive behind-the-scenes content for fans, and CineFlix Fest. a traveling film festival.
John Schneider Studios’ Moonshine Barn is the site for his new live variety show entitled Yee Haa!, named as an ode to the beloved show, Hee Haw and a nod to John’s iconic “yeehaaww!” in the opening scene of Dukes of Hazzard. The show will include an ensemble of comedians, singers, dancers, and world-class musicians and already has already filmed episodes with the legendary comedienne Ruth Buzzi and Hee Haw’s own Lulu Roman.
Returning to music in 2017, John released Ruffled Skirts, an homage to Louisiana music royalty including members of LeRoux ('New Orleans Lady'), Jo-El Sonnier, Doug Kershaw, David Hyde who played bass on the album, and Randy Carpenter. In 2016, Southern Louisiana experienced two major flooding events in a matter of six months. John Schneider Studios was inundated with nearly 4 feet of water. Sitting in the recording studio with no furniture, John began conceptualizing songs like "How Do You Stop The Water," "The Cajun Navy, " and "Every Friday Night". Enlisting songwriters Scott Innis and Phil Redrow, John sent the songwriters photos and videos of the devastation as inspiration for the project. The songs came to life and were recorded in his bare studio. Nelson Blanchard (LeRoux) mixed and master the 10-track album.
In 2018, John releases Odyssey, a 52-song collection including encompassing both music video content of “the best songs never recorded” by some of Nashville’s most acclaimed and renowned songwriters. The project includes Artist Studio Access, a 30-minute TV show via CineFlix Digital on Demand, and is a behind-the-scenes access of the writing, recording, and inspiration of each song including guest interviews with Nashville's most renowned songwriters (Paul Overstreet, Chuck Cannon, Keith Stegall, Jenee Fleenor, Mac Davis, Bill Anderson) and musicians (Steve Gibson, Matt Rollings, and Glenn Worf). John, producing partner Alicia Allain, and famed drummer/producer Paul Leim recorded the project with Bob Bullock at Backstage Studios.
Odyssey melds traditional country music with Americana, Southern Rock, Blues, and a hint of R&B, with guest artists including Tanya Tucker, John Conlee, Matthew Nelson, Gunnar Nelson, Doug Supernaw, Mark Wills, Heidi Newfield, Bobby Bare, Dave Gibson, Ray Scott, T. Graham Brown, T.G. Sheppard, Jo-el Sonnier, Kelly Lang, Jim Brown, Allie Coleen, Steve Wariner, Colin Raye, Max T. Barnes, Jamie O'Neal, Kalie Rose, Danny Shirley, and Marty Raybonwith.
The debut single is a tribute to Waylon Jennings and the a nod to where it all began for John Schneider, a cover of Waylon’s "Good Ole Boys," the iconic theme song from The Dukes of Hazzard. All proceeds from the single will benefit The Waylon Jennings Fund for Diabetes Research.
