John Wesley Harding

Wesley Stace (aka John Wesley Harding) is a British singer/songwriter and author. Taking his stage name from a play on the name of the famous outlaw John Wesley Hardin (also used by Bob Dylan on a 1967 album), Stace is an intelligent songwriter who is known to offer up poetic lyrics full of social satire and a yearning for simpler times. Usually performing solo, he will occasionally utilize a band or accompanying musicians to transform his singer/songwriter folk into more fleshed-out arrangements that dabble in blues and rock genres. In 1995, Stace was hand-chosen by Bruce Springsteen to open a series of shows for him. It was the first time in 20 years that Springsteen had called upon an opening act, offering proof of the under-the-radar but well-respected influence Stace possesses.