Artist description Johnny Hofbauer is a 19 year old student in Chicago, Illinois, a devout Bible-believing Christian and a true bluesman. Johnny goes back to the original roots of blues music...the Mississippi Delta and creates a ghostly sound, whether he's playing slide on his national steel guitar, fingerpicking his 12 string or chugging on his harmonica, listening to his music will bring thoughts of lost love, lost life and enless highways. "I think Elmore James influenced me dramatically" explains Johnny, "not necessarily because of his slide guitar work, or his amazing use of amplification, or even his soulful voice or mystical licks he used over and over. I think he influenced me the greatest because he was the one that set in my mind the same thing I think every morning getting out of bed, 'I'm gonna get up in the morning, I believe I'll dust my broom.' It wasn't Robert Johnson but him that made me say that all the time." NOTE: The term "Dust my broom" was originally an English expression centuries old meaning simply "to leave one's home."

Music Style Acoustic/Country Blues

Musical Influences John Hammond Jr, Elmore James, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Son House, Willie Brown, Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Canned Heat, Frank Hutchison, Paul Rishell

Similar Artists John Hammond Jr., Charley Patton, Son House, Robert Johnson, Frank Hutchison, Blind Willie McTell, Elmore James, Big Joe Williams, Paul Rishell, Rory Block, Chris Thomas King, The Soggy Bottom Boys

Artist History Johnny first picked up the harmonica as a child in admiration of his grandfather, a country harmonica player. "When I first heard Frank Hutchison, I almost thought it was my Grandpa, John Hofbauer. The style was the same, the harmonica was the same and I'll be darned if anyone tells me that didn't sound exactly like him. It brought tears to my eyes." Johnny started playing his first songs at his grandfather's deathbed in 1995 and played his first for him minutes before he died. He picked up guitar when he was about 13 years old and hasn't looked back. "When I first heard Charley Patton" Johnny says, "I discovered truth in music, and I never looked back." Johnny first picked up the slide at the feet of Bob Brozman in 1998, the same year he dedicated his life to Christ. "I play for Jesus" Johnny says. "Him and no one else. He gave me this gift, I gotta share it. I always try to sing about Him, but no matter what I sing, I try to reflect God in all of it." Since then, Johnny has played in many different bands, recently breaking up with his one of 3 years, "Fifth Sunday", and Johnny has recorded an album with his uncle in Europe of instrumentals, which some can be found at this site. Johnny, while a solo musician in the likes of John Hammond Jr, hopes to one day organize a blues band in the likes of the group "Canned Heat". "They were just amazing" says Johnny "Alan Wilson brought emotions out and worked so well with Bob Hite, they redefined Country blues and made it for the average electric band and the rock audiences"

Group Members Johnny Hofbauer

Instruments Guitar (Slide & Fingerpicking), Banjo and Harmonica

Albums Live at the Chapel '99 (no longer made), Joy Of My Life, Just For You, Babe

Press Reviews "An up & coming blues musician following in the footsteps of the great John Hammond Jr. himself" -Guitarist Ted Burnett "Music skills like Johnny Hammond Jr., faith like the great Blind Willie Johnson" -HABIB Records

Additional Info Any questions, comments, album purchases or bookings can be directed to the e-mail address rjphtiu@hotmail.com or (847) 331-9400, ask for Randy

Location Chicago, Illinois - USA

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