Willamette University

Music

John Doan

John Doan

John Doan is an Emmy Nominee and one of the few masters of the rare twenty-string harp guitar, has performed with a diverse range of artists including pop star Donovan, folk legend Burl Ives, jazz ace Larry Carlton, Mason Williams (of "Classical Gas" fame and more), as a member of the New Christy Minstrels with Randy Sparks, among others and his virtuoso playing and arranging has attracted praise from no less guitar luminaries than Chet Atkins and Doc Watson.

His recordings on Hearts O' Space Records have been nominated for "Best Celtic Album of the Year" with Eire - Isle of the Saints winning that title. His music has also been featured on numerous prime-time television and movie productions including Walt Disney, HBO, among others. He starred in two Public Broadcasting television specials seen on PBS with his "A Victorian Christmas with John Doan" receiving an Emmy Nomination for "Best Entertainment Special of the Year." His latest video project is a 90 minute documentary that he wrote and starred in titled "In Search of the Harp Guitar." John also hosted an International Harp Guitar Festival at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon where he is an Associate Professor of Music.  John's most recent recording is "The Lost Music of Fernando Sor" on an original 1829 three-necked guitar called a harpolyre.

  • "John returns audiences to a time when we use to dream before movies did that for us." Mason Williams
  • "I have no idea where I have been for the past several minutes! What incredible music you make!" Doc Watson
  • "John's music is simply beautiful. No, it is more than that, it is heavenly!" Burl Ives

He lives near Salem, Oregon with his wife Deirdra, where he is an Associate Professor of Music at Willamette University.