The Exceptional Music Journey of Justin Johnson and his Inspiring Wife
Justin Johnson: The Renowned Guitarist Who Plays A Shovel
Justin Johnson, a name that evokes images of soulful blues and roots music, is a highly acclaimed guitarist and a distinguished representative of the genre. Known as 'The Wizard', Justin has earned recognition as the International Slide Guitar Champion. Based in Tennessee, Justin's life is as picturesque as his music, with a sun-bleached porch, a creaky old rocking chair, and a rusty tractor turned home for the farmyard rooster.
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Currently, Justin is in the process of recording his fourth solo album, titled 'Turquoise Trail.' The recording takes place in his house, which has been transformed by his engineer and producer, Chuck Turner, into one large instrument. The unique setup includes a swimming pool room that provides enormous reverb for recording vocals and guitar tracks, creating a big and expansive ambient sound. Inspired by the concept albums of Pink Floyd and The Beatles, Justin has crafted 'Turquoise Trail' as an immersive experience, with songs that fuse together to tell an emotional story.
The album incorporates rock, blues, and various influences, blending them with new and exotic sounds. Justin's passion for classic western songs is evident as he covers Marty Robbins' 'El Paso,' Roy Orbison's 'Pistolero,' and Doc Watson's 'St. James Hospital.' To bring the album to life, Justin has enlisted the help of esteemed musicians like three-time Grammy Award winner Bill Miller, who provides vocals and Native American flute playing, and members of POCO and the Brian Setzer Orchestra.
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Apart from his album work, Justin shares his passion for music and handmade instruments on his YouTube channel. He showcases various instruments, including banjos, acoustic guitars, and cigar box guitars, and demonstrates his skills in fingerpicking and slide blues. Justin's creativity also extends to building and selling cigar box guitars and his unique invention, the Shovel Guitar, which gained popularity after he used it during a tour and posted a viral video.
When touring, Justin relies on his Fusion Urban double bag for bass guitar to safely transport his instruments. The bag allows him to pack four instruments in one gig bag, providing convenience and peace of mind.
Through his website and online resources, Justin aims to give back to the musical community and share his knowledge of teaching and guitar building. He believes in helping others overcome hurdles in their development and maintaining the importance of blues and roots music.
With his remarkable talent, genuine passion, and commitment to preserving and sharing the blues tradition, Justin Johnson continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
