John Gooding
Musician · Northern California
Best known for
Guitar
John Gooding is a young bluegrass guitarist raised in northern California, best known for his years driving the rhythm and flatpicking lead in the Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band and, since 2024, for joining the touring lineup of The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys.
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- Joined The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys as guitarist in 2024, succeeding founding guitarist Josh Rinkel.
- Spent roughly seven years and four albums as guitarist for the Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band, a fast-rising west-coast youth group.
- With Crying Uncle, was nominated for the IBMA Momentum Band of the Year (2021) and won the Pickin’ the Pines band contest in Flagstaff, Arizona (2018).
- Began playing guitar at age seven, raised in a deeply musical northern California family; both parents have served on the board of the California Bluegrass Association.
- Played in The Blue J’s, formed in 2015 alongside his two brothers.
- Relocated to east Tennessee to perform with The Little Roy & Lizzy Show, appearing on their album All for the Love of Sunshine.
- Earlier credits include the groups Windy Hill, North Country Blue, and 35 Years of Treble.
