Artist description Acoustic folk/blues artist

Music Style Acoustic Blues

Musical Influences Dylan, Presley, Springsteen

Similar Artists Sprinsteen, Van Morrison, Pearl Jam, Johnny Blackthorn

Artist History Johnny landed on the scene by way of the meandering journey of self discovery. After completeing his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering, Johnny served a number of years in the Nuclear Industry. In 1996, he came to see his desire for something more--a window of time he could no longer deny. He left his career in Dallas, Texas to study Theology in Richmond, Virginia. Blackthorn's music slowly began to expand outside the pages of a traveler's journal into the city of Richmond. When he recorded "I Belong Here" in 1999, he left the logic and goals of his first life behind. He stated in an interview for Zebra Magazine in Los Angeles that while recording the song "Visions," he knew he was growing into himself and would sing and play his music forever.

Group Members Johnny Blackthorn, songwriter, guitar, vocals & harmonica. The Good Dr. Brian Fones: dobro & percussion. Ginna Beavis: backup vocals

Instruments acoustic guitar, harmonica

Albums Basement Recordings, I Belong Here, A Resurrection by Degrees

Press Reviews Johnny Blackthorn made a menacing first impression that vanished when he opened his heart with his songs. Blackthorn's original music has a distinctive sound and a greater depth in the age of pop and alternative repetition...all delivered in a voice expressing a range of emotion...when it's not blowing some harp." - Walter Boelt, Nightcrawlers: Sweet Time at the Strawberry St. Festival. Richmond Music Journal, Vol. 6, No. 8, Issue 68, June 1999. p. 10. "Johnny Blackthorn's...clean fingering and bottleneck acoustic-guitar sliding can work like a massage for the soul"--Style Weekly Magazine, volume XVIII, No 20May 16, 2000 Johnny Blackthorn has produced a rare work - a deeply spiritual journey with emotionally riveting music and vocals. It is above all else an honest reflection into the soul's transition from insecurity and immaturity to confidence and wisdom. The album is best when heard in its entirety - as the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and it requires almost a meditative state to be truly appreciated. It is a deep album for deep thinkers and deep feelers.Blackthorn's sound is influenced by the likes of Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, and Pearl Jam - but is fiercely unique.This man has poured his heart and soul into these tracks, and the album expresses much more than most. Buy it, take it home, light some candles, get comfortable, close your eyes, and take the trip. Tim Crews-Anderson, Amazon.com review In that Bob Dylan sort of way, Johnny Blackthorn creates a mixture of folk and blues with little more than an acoustic guitar and great harmonies. The songs on this album have a great structure and are almost story-like in their progression. The music takes on a strong folk influence with a deep rooted blues groove. The songwriting is excellent as every song is portrayed with a magical essence in lyrical poetry. Though all songs on this album are notable, the one that stands out for me is "Slave to the System." The song begins and ends with a very creative rhythmic groove of chains and acoustic guitar body taps. The lyrics are perfectly worded and very inspiring. The music that you will be confronted with on this album is more down tempo and structured more around the music and meaning of the song rather than popish hooks and phrasing. I took to this album right away. This is the kind of music that makes you think. It's very refreshing to hear music with such passion and deep thoughtfulness. The music isn't too complex so you don't need to worry about being overwhelmed by the meaning, but you will be inspired. This is very good music and well worth checking out for any acoustic/folk music fan. - Michael Allison - THEGLOBALMUSE.COM

Location Memphis, Tennessee - USA

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