John Mehler

John was born and raised in Southern California. He was an only child and therefore received “all” the attention and support that his parents could give. Because his father was formerly a drummer in the United States Navy, John’s home was always filled with the music of Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Because his mother loved Country Western Music, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, “early” Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis played continuously while dad was away at work. It would be safe to say that from the beginning, music was enculturated in John’s heart and soul before he could walk.

John’s first taste of the so-called “Big Time” came when his first real band played at the Hollywood Palladium on the same show as Sonny and Cher – (“I Got You Babe”) – during the initial phase of what the media called “The British Invasion”. Everyone grew their hair long to look like “John, Paul, George and Ringo”. John’s life was cast, or so he thought ...John met Jesus of Nazareth the summer of 1968. This encounter with the King of Kings radically changed everything in John’s life. He was given a whole “new life”.

Just prior to Love Song, John had put together a three-piece “power trio” with Chuck Fraher and Jay Truax called Spirit of Creation. This trio opened rock shows for the biggest groups of the day... Three Dog Night, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Spirit, The Grateful Dead and many others. “I think we even played with a brand new group called Alice Cooper... it was a long time ago.” And then, the summer of 1970 he joined Love Song. After Love Song, the list of performers that John worked with grew to include:

Frank Sinatra; Tony Bennett; Sammy Davis Jr.; Dean Martin; Rodney Dangerfield; The Merv Griffin Show; Debby Boone; Wayne Brasel – The Wayne Brasel Trio – Norway; John Patitucci; Lee Ritenour; Andy Narell; Michael Omartian; Richie Furay – The Richie Furay Band; Jan and Dean; The Surfaris – The New Gidget Show; Andraé Crouch and The Disciples; Mark Heard; Denny Correll; Phil Keaggy; Randy Stonehill; Larry Norman; Darrell Mansfield; Paul Clark

Memorable gigs include: The White House – Washington D.C.; 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games; The Cottonbowl – Explo ’72; Madison Square Garden; U.S. Marine Fire Bases with Andraé Crouch during the Vietnam War; Berlin Wall – Berlin, Germany;

John’s solo recording and production experience includes: Bow and Arrow – John Mehler ’82; Light the Night – Mehler/Nash ’84; Jazz Praise – Mehler/Nash ’85; Shine On – Mehler/Nash

In addition, John has served as an assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa.

John, Susie and their beautiful children have lived in Karlstad, Sweden for 12 years. John is the father of six children, three sons and three daughters. He is also the proud grandfather of 3 beautiful grandchildren. John’s favorite scripture – “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14 – Paul the Apostle.