21st Century Troubadours-Songwriter Series at The GEM with Host J.D Malone

Dating back to the 12^th century, Troubadour refers to the song-meisters of the Middle Ages, but it has been extended to cover contemporary poet-musicians as well. Troubadour is a fitting name for such creative artists: it derives from an Old Occitan word meaning "to compose." Troubadours perform their own songs. Jongleurs (instrumentalists) and Cantaires (singers) also perform troubadours' songs.

Line-up for the Evening:

J.D Malone

Dad, husband, son, brother, friend, singer/songwriter, recovering philosopher. J.D Malone was born and raised under a bright blue sky in a small town called Bennington in the Green Mountain State of Vermont, U.S.A. He writes and sings songs about love and hate, angels and demons and the universal struggle to feel safe under the stars.

“J.D Malone writes songs that grab you right away and then resonate deeply.”

- Nick Cristiano (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

New music is available on all streaming services and at

J.D Malone

John Faye

With eleven full-length studio albums, two live albums, a B-sides record, three EP’s, two DVDs, and a slew of singles to his credit, John Faye has amassed an impressive musical resume.

Through his career of 30+ years, Faye has seen the music business from every conceivable angle - as both a signed and independent artist. As one of the only mixed-race Asian American frontmen to sign a major label recording contract in the 90’s heyday of alternative rock, Faye released two albums on A&M Records with his band The Caulfields, landed a publishing deal with Warner-Chappell, and toured nationally and internationally. 

In late 2024, Faye's first full-length album in close to a decade - “The Long Game” - became his 16th studio release. Faye celebrated the release with a sold-out show at Ardmore Music Hall and announced the album's promotional partnership with Hooters drummer David Uosikkinen's ITP Entertainment with nationwide distribution through MVD Entertainment. In August of 2025, “The Long Game” received “Album of the Year” honors at the 19th Annual Homey Awards, where Faye also won the statue for “Best Songwriter.”

John Faye

Greg Sover

While Greg Sover’s friends in his Philadelphia neighborhood, where he grew up, were listening to local rappers he was immersed in classic rock, country and the blues ever since he first picked up a guitar at the age of five.

“From the beginning, it’s been the greats that have intrigued me,” says Sover, naming Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Duane Allman, Dwight Yoakam guitarist Pete Anderson and, of course, all three Kings – B.B., Freddie and Albert as early influences. “Hearing those first few notes of ‘Purple Haze’ changed my life.”

Greg cut his performing teeth as a bassist in the church while in his teens, then played guitar in various bands, including heavyweight champion Joe Frazier’s group, before “muscling up” as a vocalist and bandleader himself. Sover soon became an integral part of the local Philadelphia music scene, releasing two full-length albums, 2016’s Songs of a Renegade (S.O.A.R.) and 2018’s Jubilee, and 2020’s Parade six-song EP, performing locally and at festivals with the likes of the David Uosikkinen's In The Pocket, Yardbirds, Jeffrey Gaines, Jimmy Vivino, Tommy Conwell & the Young Rumblers, Walter Trout, Sonny Landreth, Popa Chubby and the Marcus King Band.

Greg Sover

Morgan Pinkstone

Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, Morgan Pinkstone has been singing, strumming and keeping the beat in bands like Swedeland, Wes Mattheu and The New Way Down, Citizen Riot, No Sailor and The Primaries.

Songs from her debut solo album, ‘Swimmer’ showcase Pinkstone’s signature vibrato and rich harmonies. Each track paints lyrical moments in time, charting emotional journeys in sound.

With comparisons to Joni Mitchell, Chrissy Hynde, Natalie Merchant, Fiona Apple, Angel Olsen and more, Morgan Pinkstone demonstrates a range of vocal and songwriting talents.

https://www.facebook.com/morgan.pinkstone/