Born and raised in Utah, this new "Sweat Wet Acoustic Rock Star" was musically bred on a hearty helping of The Beach Boys, The Beatles and The Oak Ridge Boys. Destined for success, he traveled the country with various bands on the bass and the acoustic guitar, ending up in Nashville, Tennessee in 1995, where he had the amazing experience of playing at the Bell Cove Club alongside the Father of Bluegrass, Mr. Bill Monroe.
“My fondest memory of Mr. Bill Monroe was New Year’s Eve 1995,” says J...
Born and raised in Utah, this new "Sweat Wet Acoustic Rock Star" was musically bred on a hearty helping of The Beach Boys, The Beatles and The Oak Ridge Boys. Destined for success, he traveled the country with various bands on the bass and the acoustic guitar, ending up in Nashville, Tennessee in 1995, where he had the amazing experience of playing at the Bell Cove Club alongside the Father of Bluegrass, Mr. Bill Monroe.
“My fondest memory of Mr. Bill Monroe was New Year’s Eve 1995,” says Johnny. “My band, 'The Arrleys', and I were playing ‘Twist and Shout,’ the Beatles version, and the old dog came waltzing up on stage, mandolin in hand, and proceeded to blow the audience away with his presence while jamming with us! It is something I can’t wait to see on a ‘Behind the Music’ show someday.”
Influenced by many diverse and talented musicians over the years, Johnny Austin has latched onto his roots in classic rock and country and developed a new Country Rock that he likes to attribute to Mr. Garth Brooks for making possible. “I remember hearing Garth do an interview explaining where his showmanship came from, and he rattled off a ton of rock musicians along with his country favorites. That was inspiring to me—to have Aerosmith influence a major country star..."
Johnny Austin takes his cues from Garth Brooks & Keith Urban with his live show. He is one of the most high-energy shows you will ever witness. Whether it’s in front of a small room filled with very few fans, or a large amphitheater filled with thousands, Johnny Austin can be seen throwing his body into the music like a young Elvis Presley. Vocally diverse, the boy can growl with the best rock and rollers, as well as lay down deep rich tones and a push and pull vibrato as smooth as silk, likened to the infamous Aaron Neville. Instrumentally, he was raised playing the bass, starting out at 12 years old as a Paul McCartney wannabe in Beatles cover bands. However, he also wrote and recorded original music on acoustic guitar and piano. It’s always fun to catch a solo show of Johnny Austin’s when he is crooning out the ballads and cradling his acoustic guitar “Rachel” like he is in love with her.
Johnny Austin earned his stage name after returning from his first trip to SXSW in 2000. “He never stopped talking about Austin, it was Austin This... & Austin That... So we just started calling him Johnny Austin to mess with him, sept he took the name and ran with it...” says Skot Hofheins, longtime friend and drummer. Johnny Austin made Texas his permanent home when he moved back to Austin for keeps in 2001.
Destined for international acclaim, Johnny Austin is determined to make his mark in the music industry and has strived for greatness at every turn. If you’re just now becoming a fan, or if you’ve been there from the beginning, keep the faith and watch your boy accept that coveted Grammy award someday soon.
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