When John-Robert was only 13 years old, he was chosen to be on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The clip of him performing can be found on YouTube, where he graces the audience with his voice and acoustic guitar. This is a pretty daunting task for a teenager, as he is not only performing for a huge crowd in-person but also for the viewers at home. And for Ellen Degeneres. No pressure.
But it’s clear after just the first few seconds that John-Robert is right at home. His passion for the music he is playing is bigger than any fear or nervousness, and this passion can be found in his songs today. Also found is his family and his hometown of Edinburg, Virginia, as he incorporates an Appalachian heart into the sonics and storytelling. His 2023 song “Come Pick Me Up” puts this sound on display, and when he went on tour with Madi Diaz, Rayland Baxter, Leon Bridges, and Liam Gallagher, John-Robert was able to share this sound with a growing fanbase. Last year, he moved back to Virginia from L.A., where he was able to reconnect with the people and places that make him whole. We can hear this reconnection in his latest releases, and he continues to share these facets of his life with his first release of 2026, “Anna.”
Filled with romantic tension, “Anna” is a warm yet moody confession of love. Against the twangy guitar lines, John-Robert sings, “Anna, I feel it in the air tonight / Anna, I see it in the look in your eyes / Oh, Anna, I hope it don’t come as a surprise / See, I’ve been craving you, Anna / You’re all I fantasize.” He feels close to Anna, and he feels her love. This feeling only intensifies the further we get into the song, with John-Robert singing his heart out. The love is young and powerful here, and it all leads up to, “If you want me how I want you / You can have me tonight.” You can check it out in the live video below.
About “Anna,” John-Robert shares,
“It’s a declaration! I had a big crush on someone, not naming any names, and wanted to address it in a direct way. That game of emotional chicken, who’s gonna blink first and confess they have feelings.”
In April, John-Robert will join Buffalo Traffic Jam for three sold-out shows in Colorado. He will then headline five shows in May. You can find tickets and more information here.
You can listen to “Anna” here.
Keep up with John-Robert: Instagram // X // Facebook // TikTok // YouTube // Website
