Today we’d like to introduce you to Lonnie Fisher.
Hi Lonnie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story, some would say, could be a book, but here is the condensed version.
I started singing opera at Kansas State University 1989
First rock band was Sleepy Hollow in Salina Kansas 1993
Moved to Lawrence KS in 1995 and was frontman of the rock band Sturgeon Mill 1996-2000
Had my first hit song “Kill Yourself Or I Will”in 1999 and the band toured the Midwest
I am self taught on guitar and play an unusual 5 string guitar missing the g-string open tuned that gives my songwriting a unique and different sound
Sturgeon Mill broke up in 2000 and I then formed my next band Lonnie Fisher and The Funeral 2001-2017 along with several solo projects and solo albums.
2009 my girlfriend died from brain cancer at age 27. This destroyed me and I got heavily into alcohol. My next girlfriend also died from a drug overdose and my father died from melanoma cancer. I spiraled even deeper contemplating suicide and literally was trying to drink myself to death.
while all of this was happening i still managed to be a chef at a restaurant and somehow keep the music going.
Finally my body couldn’t handle it anymore and i had two strokes which it took 2 years to rehab. I also quit drinking ( I’m now now 9 years sober. I had to re-wire my brain and learn to do everything without alcohol.
Several health problems have limited the number of shows i play these days but I have over a 1000 career performances.
I moved to Kansas City in 2015 and met my wife Tara and two children. Becoming a dad gave me a new purpose and is absoulutely amazing. They saved my life….I was a dead man walking.
I am now considered disabled due to a diagnosis of Severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and post stroke injuries butI still manage a small personal chef business and have released a few solo albums with a new one “MOJO MISFIT” due for release in October.
It’s been a wild ride and like an old Chevy I’m still running.
Can’t dive off a stage or run wild like the old days, but the songs I’m writing now are definetly my best ever and my voice is doing great now that I’m sober and living healthy.
I am very lucky to be alive. Most of my old friends are already dead. Music is my therapy. It keeps me going. It’s a beautiful place for the mind to be. My music is about tragedy, resilance and a never give up attitude. They are songs people can feel and relate to.
Keep rockin!
Thanks so much for helping tell my story
Lonnie Fisher
thelonniefisher.com
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Again, i gave most of those details in the first section.
I’ve been performing for 30 years.
I’m not well known but some people think I should have gone big.
I also have an interest in creating music for TV and Movies
My voice is compared to David Bowie, Roy Orbison and Peter Murphy
If you AI my name it actually does a good job of describing me.
I am however very Anti-AI created music.
It has no soul and sounds very mechanical lacking feeling and emotion.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Too Many to mention
Several musicians from Lawrence and Kansas City
my wife Tara deserves a ton of credit since I wouldn’t still be making music without her.
I had a lot of bad people in my life that do not deserve any credit
My high school music teacher Eddie B. Creer Jr. ( Salina High School South Salina Kansas) for discovering my voice and teaching me how to use it.
My studio engineer Ed Rose for recording my music and believing in my songs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thelonniefisher.com
- Instagram: lonniefishermusicofficial
