- Pittsburgh, PA
- Singing Guitarist
- $800 and up
Amy P. said
“Gary was phenomenal! We couldn’t have asked for a better set list… he played all the hits! We loved him and so did all our guests! ”
John Kolar
Overview
I sing and play (guitar & piano) for up to 4 hours. I have a song menu of nearly 100 pop, rock, country, and jazz covers, and I take requests. If you have specific songs you'd like me to play that aren't on my list, I'll be happy to learn them for our gig. Looking forward to working with you!
Reviews
11 reviews
Mason H.
February 12, 2026Great Player
John is the man and puts on a great show! I would recommend him for any event you need live music for!
Hired as: Singing Guitarist
Anne I.
April 24, 2025We are hiring John for other events!
John is an excellent singer and musician playing guitar and keyboard. He was very gracious to our dinner guests taking special requests. We plan to use John at other events.
Hired as: Singing Guitarist, Singing Pianist
Frank A. D.
October 15, 2024Don’t know
I’ve followed John from Morgantown to Pittsburgh and back, seeing him three times in as many months. His talents, guitar, keyboard and voice, are matched by his use of technology. He’s pretty close to a one-man band. He helped me to get my start. I hope that I can bring as much joy to my audiences as he has brought to me.
Hired as: Singing Guitarist, Singing Pianist
John Kolar
Thank you very much!!
Ben A.
August 19, 2024John Brought the House Down!
John brings a show for everyone, including pop, blues, country, and originals. He can do it all, from singing, playing guitar & piano, and handing out his signature song menus. I would gladly have him back to perform anytime!
Hired as: Singing Guitarist, Singing Pianist
John Kolar
thank you!
Auggie C.
August 19, 2024Excellent performer. Easy to work with
John made the gig coordination very easy and transparent through the whole process. Really delivered on the performance as well. Couldn't recommend enough.
Hired as: Singing Guitarist
John Kolar
thank you!!
Booking information
Price range: Contact for rates
Languages: English
Gig length: 30 - 240 minutes
What to expect
John performs acoustic guitar, piano, and sings. He plays rock, pop, country, and jazz covers. He has a song menu of nearly 100 songs and takes song requests at his gigs.
John can improvise on the piano and guitar to create a background music ambiance that's perfect for a cocktail hour. John can also play and sing covers of popular songs while engaging with the audience and taking requests from his song menu.
About
From the hills of Morgantown, WV, John Kolar is a guitarist, piano player, and vocalist. He regularly plays solo gigs, performing acoustic guitar, piano, and vocals, playing originals and rock, pop, country, and jazz covers. He has a song menu of nearly 100 songs and takes song requests at his gigs.
John is currently a professor of Music Media Production in The School of Music at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
If you’re looking for a solo musician for your next event, contact John!
Additional booking notes
John will bring all of his own gear for great live sound. His equipment can be used to provide live sound for audiences as small 3 people and for as large as 600 people.
Services offered
Past booked events
April 2025
21
Monday
Dinner Party
5:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Indianapolis, IN
Set list
7 Summers - Morgan Wallen
all i need - Kiolo
All My Loving - The Beatles
All of Me - Gerard Marks and Seymour Simon
All of Me - John Legend
Amanda - Boston
Autumn Leaves - Joseph Kosma
Big Green Tractor - Jason Aldean
Blackbird - The Beatles
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
Chicken Fried - Zac Brown Band
Closer - The Chainsmokers
Collide - Howie Day
Come on Get Higher - Matt Nathanson
Country Roads - John Denver
Crazy - Gnarles Barkley
Dancing in the Moonlight - King Harvest
Dare You To Move - Switchfoot
Daughters - John Mayer
Derrick's Song - Stray Tuesday
Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
Drops of Jupiter - Train
Dust in the Wind - Kansas
Everlong- Foo Fighters
Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison
Face Down - Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Faithfully - Journey
Feathered Indians - Tyler Childers
Fix You - Coldplay
Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra
Found a Way - Drake Bell
Free Fallin’ - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Good Riddance - Green Day
Hallelujah - Jeff Beck
Hero - Enrique Iglesias
Hey There Delilah - Plain White T’s
Hey Ya! - Outkast
Home - Stray Tuesday
Homegrown - Zac Brown Band
I Want to Know Your Plans - Say Anything
I’m Yours - Jason Mraz
Imagine - John Lennon
It Goes Like This - Thomas Rhett
It’s Gonna Be Hard (When I’m Gone) - The Audition
Jumper - Third Eye Blind
Just the Two of Us - Bill Withers
Just The Way You Are - Bruno Mars
Kings and Queens - Mother of Earl
Knee Deep- Zac Brown Band
Kristy Are You Doing Okay? - The Offspring
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
Let It Be - The Beatles
Let It Go - James Bay
Little Light - Lewis Watson
Location - Khalid
Love Story - Taylor Swift
Loving You Easy - Zac Brown Band
Oh Well, Oh Well - Mayday Parade
One Year Six Months - Yellowcard
Remembering Sunday - All Time Low
She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
She’s So High - Tal Bachman
Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynrd
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer
So Long Goodbye - Sum 41
Stand by Me - Ben E. King
Sunday Morning - Maroon 5
sunshine - Kiolo
Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
The Only Exception - Paramore
Trouble- Taylor Swift
Unaware - Allen Stone
Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker
Wonderwall - Oasis
Yesterday - The Beatles
You Belong with Me - Taylor Swift
Influences and inspiration
The Beatles, John Mayer, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Journey, Zac Brown Band, Tyler Childers, Frank Sinatra
Setup requirements
n/a
Report John Kolar
Singing Guitarist
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