For many people, singing in front of just one person is a nightmare. James Madison basketball player John Naparlo sang in front of 300 folks this summer - and had a great time. Known as "Johnny Napp" on stage, the budding country music artist said his debut as a headlining act felt natural once he got going.
"It was amazing," Naparlo, back in Harrisonburg for his senior year, said Sunday. "It was a feeling like no other. You start singing, then after a couple of songs, the whole crowd is singing back with you. Even if they don't know the songs, they can pick up on the choruses. The fans were great." Naparlo got his shot under sad circumstances. Hampton-based record producer Doc Holiday had paired his latest project, Naparlo, with country music veteran Big Al Downing for a show on July 1 at the Norva nightclub in Norfolk, figuring it would be good for "Johnny Napp" to open for an established act. Naparlo estimated that about 300 people showed up at the Norva. It was one of two gigs he had during the summer. On Aug. 24, Naparlo opened for controversial country music "outlaw" David Allan Coe, and apparently got a surprisingly good response to his music, which is poppier than Coe's fans are used to. "It was awesome," Naparlo said. "It was a great experience. The crowd was pretty responsive to my music. I had a good time. I got a chance to meet up with David Allan Coe and got a picture with him. It was great."
Naparlo, a guard on the JMU basketball team, is still fine-tuning details for the release of his debut album, "Cowboy Up and Party Down." Locally, he is scheduled to play a show at the Pub in Harrisonburg on Oct. 12. On Oct. 13, he will go back to the Norva, where he will open for Jason Aldean, whose song "Hicktown" is getting major airplay on country stations. Then it's back to basketball, starting with practice on Oct. 15.
To hear his music, log on to www.johnnynapp.com.