Justin Johnson

2013 Nominee – Solo Performer of the Year – 23rd Annual LA Music Awards

One of the world’s leading ambassadors for the homegrown music movement, international touring and recording artist Justin Johnson has been hailed by Guitar World as a “must-see act”, dubbed “The Wizard” for his mastery of stringed instruments, and recognized as Slidestock International Slide Guitar Champion. He has also earned endorsements from guitar builders around the world… But it is a deep commitment to sharing his passion for Roots traditions that fuels his nonstop tour.

In 2014, Justin Johnson recorded his groundbreaking double album, “Smoke & Mirrors,” the most comprehensive musical statement yet made about the art, history, and traditions behind Cigar Box Guitars and handmade roots instruments. Along with 18 modern-built roots instruments representing builders from all over the world, the album resurrects the voices of 8 of the oldest cigar box guitars and banjos known to exist… instruments procured on loan from Bill Jehle’s International Cigar Box Guitar Museum. Having never previously been recorded, these fragile relics emanate voices on the album that would otherwise have been lost to time.

“Smoke & Mirrors” saw it’s official release in March of 2014, as Johnson took the stage to present his signature approach to Roots music to thousands of enthralled fans at Port Fairy Folk Festival, Australia’s largest and longest-running Folk Festival, thus ushering in the “2014 Smoke & Mirrors World Tour,” which spanned Australia, North America, Europe, and the UK.

In response to worldwide demand for his educational workshops, Johnson filmed the 3-part instructional DVD series “Roots Music According to Justin Johnson,” in the midst of the North American leg of the Smoke & Mirrors World Tour, and offers interactive workshops at many of his concert and festival appearances.