JOHN DILLON is a performing songwriter, guitar-maker, author, and producer in long-term recovery from substance use disorder. He began his journey of recovery in 1992 at Marworth Treatment Center in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
He is recognized for his 21-year career as producer and co-host of Art of the Song – a public radio program about songwriting and creativity that was heard nationwide on over 100 stations. His book The 20-20 Creativity Solution gives readers a step-by-step process to enhance their creativity. As a luthier, John has built over 80 custom acoustic guitars for the likes of Hank Williams, Jr., Trisha Yearwood, the Mavericks, Tish Hinojosa and Steve Earle.
In 2022, he released his fourth album Hope Road which tells his story from 1960s traveling hippie to active addiction and on to recovery. John’s next album The Lighthouse Project is a collection of songs written with members of the Creative Recovery Group who meet weekly online.
John has developed this collaborative songwriting process into a workshop for people in treatment and recovery centers. Through a series of writing exercises, they choose a topic and begin writing lyrics. John takes their writings home and distills them into a song, which is later recorded and sent back to the participants. His latest album We Do Recover - Voices of Hope consists mainly of songs written in collaboration with people in treatment for substance use disorder.
He makes monthly visits to Blaisdell Treatment Center, Conifer Park Treatment Center, Cornerstone of Rhinebeck, and BriteLife Recovery, where he performs recovery concerts and facilitates writing workshops with the clients.
John lives on an upstate New York farm with his wife Vivian, surrounded by family, horses, dogs, and (some would say) too many guitars.
VIVIAN NESBITT is a third-generation actor, singer, producer, and storyteller whose work explores the intersection of theater, music, history, and social justice. She is the performer of the acclaimed one-woman play Mother Jones in Heaven, bringing the legendary labor organizer to life for audiences at theaters, colleges, labor conferences, and community venues across the country.
Her stage credits include productions with Roundabout Theatre Company (New York City), George Street Playhouse (New Jersey), and Pittsburgh Public Theater (Pennsylvania), along with numerous regional productions, Shakespeare, and summer stock. A member of SAG-AFTRA, Vivian has appeared on television in Breaking Bad, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Longmire, The Night Shift, Wildfire, and In Plain Sight.
Vivian holds a Master of Fine Arts in Acting. She and her husband, acclaimed musician John Dillon, co-hosted the nationally syndicated radio program Art of the Song, celebrating the craft of songwriting through conversations with many of the world's most respected songwriters.
Whether portraying an iconic historical figure or collaborating with fellow artists, Vivian believes that stories can build community, deepen understanding, and inspire action. When she isn't performing, she is an avid horsewoman.