Mr. John Pennell attended Parkland College for two years prior to transferring to Southern Illinois University where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in education. He continued his education at Arizona State University where he earned a bachelor of music degree graduating Magna Cum Laude. Mr. Pennell then enrolled at the University of Illinois and graduated with a master's degree in music theory and composition. Mr. Pennell's career has encompassed a variety of musical endeavors from substitute teaching and free lance acoustic bass performances with jazz groups in Champaign, to professional musical performances with the Harley Allen Band, Chris Jones and the Night Drivers as well as playing bass with Union Station and Alison Krauss. Mr. Pennell is a well known songwriter and has written songs for Alison Krauss as well as Alan Jackson.Mr. Pennell is now plays bass for The Charlie Sizemore Band, who will be releasing a CD later this summer(2007) entitled, "Good News:The Charlie Sizemore Band", on Rounder Records. Mr. Pennell has also released a CD of his original material entitled "All the Lonely"(2000)as well as having his songs performed on the Jay Leno Show,the David Letterman Show and the Country Music Association Awards show. Mr. Pennell has been twice nominated for bluegrass song of the year by the International Bluegrass Music Association and was nominated as a member of Alison Krauss and Union Station by the Grammy awards committee for the best bluegrass recording in 1990. Mr. Pennell is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and remains involved in community activities.