A west coast music pioneer…
His name is Michael Johnson. He has no plans to put on a cowboy hat, affect an accent, wear one glove or be anyone but himself. Moreover, he is “The” Michael Johnson, and he has performed and lived more music and recorded more hits than you would imagine.
His voice immediately identifies him as the man who sings “Bluer Than Blue”, “Give Me Wings”, “That’s That”, “This Night Won’t Last Forever” and other landmark songs. His music shows a diversity, depth and heart that only come from years of dedication to a labor of love.
When asked what he would have you know about himself, Michael says: “Tell them that I love it.” He started playing at age thirteen and just never quit. Singing, playing, writing and recording are the only things he’s ever done and he loves it.
“Tell them I play guitar.” He really plays guitar. He studied in Barcelona and he plays on all his records with a unique and distinctive style. His playing is an important part of his show.
“I am a soloist at heart.” Michael often performs alone, and he has elevated the art. He prefers the intimacy and spontaneity of a show that can change with the moment.
“Tell them I’m a showman. I like to talk to people and I love to make them laugh. And, of course, I have to move them with the music. That’s the whole thing. Without that, there is no reason to be on stage.”
What one remembers of Michael is the texture of his voice, the meaning of the lyric and the music of the guitar – singer, song and sound. And the feeling of being at home with a friend.
Read more about Michael Johnson at his official website.
Discography
Moonlit Déjà Vu
Red House Records 2012
Tracks: April Fool, My Favorite Lies, One Mile Apart, Learning How To Love, Gee I m Glad I Worried About That, Emilio, Looking For Rainbows (Without An Umbrella), How Do You Know What You Know?, SoSo, The Day I m Over You & Kiss Me Goodbye.
Musicians on the Moonlit Déjá Vu album: Michael Johnson and others.
Always
2005
Tracks: Smile, It's All In The Game, Misty, The Shadow Of Your Smile, Our Love Is Here To Stay, Moon River, Mona Lisa, Vaya Con Dios, Moonlight In Vermont, The Very Thought Of You & Always.
Musicians on the Always album: Michael Johnson, Roberto Bianco and others.
There Is A Breeze
Wounded Bird Records 2010
Tracks: Pilot Me, In Your Eyes, There Is A Breeze, See You Soon, Old Folks, Rooty Toot Toot For The Moon, My Opening Farewell, Got You Covered, On The Road, Study In E Minor, Happier Days & You've Got To Be Carefully Taught.
Musicians on the There Is A Breeze album: Michael Johnson, Chris Dedrick, Phillip Markowitz, Gordon Johnson, Ted Moore, Leo Kottke, Gary Gauger, George Ricci, Margaret Ross, Jerry Niewood, Ralph Towner, Russell George & Ron Zito.
Classic Masters
Capitol Records 2002
Tracks: Bluer Than Blue, Sailing Without A Sail, Two In Love, Almost Like Being In Love, This Night Won't Last Forever, The Very First Time, I'll Always Love You, You Can Call Me Blue, Blame It On The Rain, You're Not Easy To Forget, Home Free & There's A Love.
Musicians on the Classic Masters album: James Taylor, Don Grolnick, David Lasley, Valerie Carter, Michael Landau, Kate Markowitz, Arnold McCuller, Carlos Vega, Clifford Carter & Jimmy Johnson.
Live At The Bluebird Café
American Original Records 2000
Tracks: Rosalie, Bluer Than Blue, Company Man, Dirty Hands, In The Name Of God, One Mile Apart, Rollercoaster Run, Heart & Soul To Me, It's My Job, If I Fell From Grace With You, Cain's Blood & One Note Samba.
Musicians on the Live At The Bluebird Café album: Michael Johnson, Jelly Roll Johnson & Suzanne Sherwin.
The Ballad Years
Hide & Seek Records 2000
Tracks: Bluer Than Blue, The Night Won´t Last Forever, I´ll Always Love You, Rosalee, The Love She Found In Me, Doors, Dialogue, After You, Blame It On The Rain, The Very First Time, Savin´It Up, When You Come Home, 20-20, Foolish Heart, Bluer Than Blue, I´ll Be Over You, You Needed Me, Who´s Holdin Donna Now, Reunion, Savin´It Up, Time To Say I´m Sorry, So Soft Your Goodbye, You Needed Me & Love.
Musicians on the The Ballad Years album: Michael Johnson, Randy Goodrum and others.
The Early Albums
MJP Records 1999
Tracks: A compilation of the albums: There Is A Breeze , For All You Mad Musicians & Ain't Dis Da Life. All original recordings.
Musicians on the The Early Albums album: Michael Johnson, Jim Johnson, Bill Peterson, Dave Williamson, Gary Gauger, Jeff Gilkinson, Robert Greenidge, Ted Sherman, Jeff Harrington, Mark Henley, Ramuald Teco, Tamas Strasser, Bruce Allard, Anthony Elliot, Dave Karr, Chris Dedrick, Phillip Markowitz, Gordon Johnson, Ted Moore, Leo Kottke, Gary Gauger, George Ricci, Margaret Ross, Jerry Niewood, Gordon Johnson, Ralph Towner, Russell George & Ron Zito.
Bluer Than Blue
Razor & Tie Records 1999
Tracks: Bluer Than Blue, Almost Like Being In Love, This Night Won't Last Forever, The Very First Time, You Can Call Me Blue, I Love You By Heart (Sylvia & Michael Johnson duet), Gotta Learn To Love Without You, Give Me Wings, The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder, Ponies, Crying Shame, I Will Whisper Your Name, That's That, Roller Coaster Run (Up Too Slow, Down Too Fast), It Must Be You, One Honest Tear & Almost Free.
Musicians on the Bluer Than Blue (1978-1995) album: Michael Johnson and others.
Back To Back
Dominion Records 1999
Tracks: Bluer Than Blue, Almost like Being In Love, Whenever I Call You Friend, Give Me Wings, Save It For A Rainy Day, On And On, It Might Be You, Separate Lives & Everybody Needs Love.
Musicians on the Back to Back album: Stephen Bishop, Michael Johnson and others.
Then & Now
Intersound Records 1997
Tracks: Almost Like Being In Love, Happier Days, Whenever I Call You Friend, This Night Won't Last Forever, The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder, That's That, Bluer Than Blue, Crying Shame, Give Me Wings & I'll Always Love You.
Musicians on the Then & Now album: Michael Johnson, Viktor Krauss, Kenny Malone, Ray Herndon, Dan Tyminski, Alison Krauss, Ron Block, John Catchings, Pat Bergeson, Jerry Douglas & Stuart Duncan.
Departure
Vanguard Records 1995
Tracks: Old Fashioned Love, Departure, Miami Beach, Distant Fire, Worth The Trouble, Dirty Hands And Dirty Faces, Unconditionally, Software, She's Real, Almost Free, Cain's Blood & Imogene.
Musicians on the Departure album: Michael Johnson, Pat McGrath, Viktor Krauss, Kenny Malone, Ron Block, Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson, Alison Krauss, Peter Wasner, Adam Steffey, Dan Tyminski, Randy Goodrum, Roger Williams, Stuart Duncan & Barry Bales.
Michael Johnson
Atlantic Records 1992
Tracks: Two Ships That Passed In The Moonlight, Rich Like Me, One Honest Tear, This Ain't The Night To Be Me, Mr. Sawyer/Mr. Finn, Half The Moon, Cheatin' On The Blues, Company Man, It Must Be You & Bristlecone Pine.
Musicians on the Michael Johnson album: Michael Johnson, Don Potter, Eddie Bayers, Gary Lunn, Matt Rollins, Bobby Ogdin, Sonny Garrish, Paul Franklin, Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson, Rob Hajacos, Jerry Kimbrough, Archie Jordan, Buddy Skipper, Juice Newton, Lisa Silver & Jack Sundrud.
The Best Of Michael Johnson
RCA Records 1990
Tracks: Gotta Learn To Love Without You, Give Me Wings, I Will Whisper Your Name, Crying Shame, Life's A Bitch (And Then You Die), Ponies, The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder, Roller Coaster Run (Up Too Slow, Down Too Fast) & That's That.
Musicians on the The Best Of Michael Johnson album: Michael Johnson and others.
Life´s A Bitch
RCA Records 1989
Tracks: Roller Coaster Run (Up Too Slow, Down Too Fast), True Love, Oh Rosalee, Give Me Wings, Jacques Cousteau (previous unreleased), Empty Hearts, That's What Your Love Does To Me, Hangin' On, Life's A Bitch (And Then You Die), Crying Shame, Magic Time, That's That, Samson And Delilah, The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder, Gotta Learn To Love Without You & Some People's Lives.
Musicians on the Life´s A Bitch album: Michael Johnson, Don Potter, Eddie Bayers, Edgar Meyer, Roy Huskey Jr, David Schnaufer, Jerry Douglas, Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson, Tim McFadden & Brent Maher.
That´s That
RCA Records 1988
Tracks: Roller Coaster Run (Up Too Slow, Down Too Fast), I Will Whisper Your Name, Crying Shame, It Must Be You, That's That, Oh Rosalee, Too Soon To Tell, Samson And Delilah, The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder, Diamond Dreams & Some People's Lives.
Musicians on the That´s That album: Michael Johnson, Don Potter, Craig Bickhardt, Larry Byrom, Eddie Bayers, Jack Williams, Edgar Meyer, Sonny Garrish, Russ Pahl, Farrell Morris, John Jarvis, Bobby Ogdin, Gene Sisk, Shane Keister, Sonny Garrish, Jerry Douglas, Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson, Carl Gorodetsky and The Nashville String Machine, Archie Jordan, Brent Maher, Lisa Silver & Larry Strickland.
Wings
RCA Records 1986
Tracks: Gotta Learn To Love Without You, It's Only Over For You, That's What Your Love Does To Me, Give Me Wings, Hangin' On, Ponies, Magic Time, True Love, Cool Me In The River Of Love & The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder.
Musicians on the Wings album: Michael Johnson, Don Potter, Eddie Bayers, Jack Williams, Sonny Garrish, John Jarvis, Shane Keister and Bobby Ogdin, Gene Sisk, Mat Morse, Hollis Halford & Archie Jordan.
Lifetime Guarantee
EMI Records 1983
Tracks: There's A Love, If You Can't Feel Love, Lifetime Guarantee, We Can Live On Love (Baby You're Just Like Me), I'm Gone, Q.T., Temptation, Who's That Look In Your Eye, City Of The Angels & I Still Love You.
Musicians on the Lifetime Guarantee album: Michael Johnson, Rob Mounsey, Andy Newmark, Wayne Pedzwater, Randy Waldman, Nick Moroch, Ray Bardani, Gordon Grody, Kurt Yaghijan, Jeremy Lubbock, Harvey Mason, Dave Boroff, Steve Foreman, Nick Uhrig, Marc Piscitelli, Roscoe Beck, Jay Winding, Chris Montan, George Sopuch, Yogi Horton, Marcus Miller, Ted Moore, Sherilyn Huffman, Diane Tidwell, Lisa Silver, Michael Colina, Neil Jason, Dave Sanborn, Randy Goodrum, Ray Bardani, Kacey Cisyk, Vivian Cherry, Ullanda McCullough, Richard Tee & Buddy Williams.
There Is A Breeze
EMI Records 1981
Tracks: Pilot Me, In Your Eyes, There Is A Breeze, See You Soon, Old Folks, Rooty Toot Toot For The Moon, My Opening Farewell, Got You Covered, On The Road, Study In E Minor, Happier Days & You've Got To Be Carefully Taught.
Musicians on the There Is A Breeze album: Michael Johnson, Chris Dedrick, Phillip Markowitz, Gordon Johnson, Ted Moore, Leo Kottke, Gary Gauger, George Ricci, Margaret Ross, Jerry Niewood, Ralph Towner, Russell George & Ron Zito.
Home Free
EMI Records 1981
Tracks: You're Not Easy To Forget, The Love She Found In Me, Rosalee, The Power (This Love Has Over Me), I Can't Get to You From Here, Home Free, Just One Look, Love Me Like The Last Time, Leave It Alone & Let Me Go Back Home.
Musicians on the Gorilla album: Michael Johnson, James Stroud, Tom Robb, Randy McCormick, Larry Byrom, Mickey Buckins, Jay Scott, Jay Dee Maness, Terry McMillan, Earl Dumler, Maxine Waters Willard, Julia Waters Tillman, Oren Waters, Luther Waters, Marti McCall, Sheri Huffman, Diane Tidwell, Lisa Silver, Richard Mainegra, Dennis William Wilson, Steve Dorff, Randy McCormick & Jimmy Getzoff.
You Can Call Me Blue
EMI Records 1980
Tracks: You Can Call Me Blue, After You, Savin' It Up, You You You, Blame it On The Rain, Right Through The Heart, Don't Ask Why, Staying With It, You Sure Fooled Me & Empty Hearts.
Musicians on the You Can Call Me Blue album: Michael Johnson, Shane Keister, Bobby Ogdin, Bob Wray, Roger Clark, Steve Gibson, Jon Goin, Jay Patton Terry McMillan, Marie Clark, Greg Gordon, Tom Snow, Jack Williams, Kenny Malone, Farrell Morris, Mark Phillips, The Shelly Kurland String Section & Del Newman.
Dialogue
EMI Records 1979
Tracks: This Night Won't Last Forever, Let This Be A Lesson To You, The Very First Time, Drops of Water, I'll Always Love You, Doors, Blackmail, She Put The Sad In All His Songs, I Just Can't Say No To You & Dialogue.
Musicians on the Dialogue album: Michael Johnson. Shane Keister, Bobby Ogdin, Jack Williams, Kenny Malone, Farrell Morris, Steve Gibson, Jon Goin, Sheri Kramer, Diane Tidwell, Greg Gordon, Del Newman, Randy Goodrum, Billy Puett, Norm Ray, Dennis Good, Don Sheffield, Patti Leatherwood, Bergen White, Mike Leech, Buddy Skipper, David Sanborn, Tom Malone, John Gatchell, Danny Cahn, The Shelley Kurland Section, Tom Snow & Bob Taylor.
The Michael Johnson Album
EMI Records 1978
Tracks: Sailing Without A Sail, Foolish, Dancin' Tonight, Two In Love, Ridin' in the Sky, Bluer Than Blue, Almost Like Being In Love, Twenty-Five Words Or Less, Gypsy Woman & When You Come Home.
Musicians on the The Michael Johnson album: Michael Johnson, Shane Keister, Mike Leech, Kenny Malone, Farrell Morris, Steve Gibson, Sheri Kramer, Jack Williams, Jon Goin, Buddy Skipper, Bobby Ogdin, Bill LaBounty, Don Sheffield, Roger Bissell, Lisa Silver, Diane Tidwell, Norbert Putnam, Roger Williams & Shelly Kurland.
Ain´t Dis Da Life
Sanskrit Records 1977
Tracks: O.B. Glad, Lucky Stars, Movin In The Same Circles (Damn It All), Time Sweet Time, Our Snowflake Dreams, Ain't Dis Da Life, Circle Of Fifths, Chicken Road, High On The Border & Mr. Arthur's Place.
Musicians on the Ain´t Dis Da Life James album: Michael Johnson, Jim Johnson, Bill Peterson, Dave Williamson, Gary Gauger, Jeff Gilkinson, Robert Greenidge, Ted Sherman, Jeff Harrington, Mark Henley, Ramuald Teco, Tamas Strasser, Bruce Allard, Anthony Elliot, Dave Karr & Tony Elliot.
There Is A Breeze
Sanskrit Records 1976
Tracks: Pilot Me, In Your Eyes, There Is A Breeze, See You Soon, Old Folks, Rooty Toot Toot For The Moon, My Opening Farewell, Got You Covered, On The Road, Study In E Minor, Happier Days & You've Got To Be Carefully Taught.
Musicians on the There Is A Breeze album: Michael Johnson, Chris Dedrick, Phillip Markowitz, Gordon Johnson, Ted Moore, Leo Kottke, Gary Gauger, George Ricci, Margaret Ross, Jerry Niewood, Ralph Towner, Russell George & Ron Zito.
For All You Mad Musicians
Sanskrit Records 1975
Tracks: Troubled For You, Cain's Blood, Love And Sex, The Good Life, The Gypsy In The Photograph, Walk Me Round Your Garden, Hello, Goodbye, May You Never, Take My Body Home, Poor Little Robin, To Feel A Friend, The Glory & Here Comes The Sun.
Musicians on the For All You Mad Musicians album: Michael Johnson, Mark Henley, Tab Laven & Herb Philhofer.
There Is A Breeze
Atco Records 1973
Tracks: Pilot Me, In Your Eyes, There Is A Breeze, See You Soon, Old Folks, Rooty Toot Toot For The Moon, My Opening Farewell, Got You Covered, On The Road, Study In E Minor, Happier Days & You've Got To Be Carefully Taught.
Musicians on the There Is A Breeze album: Michael Johnson, Chris Dedrick, Phillip Markowitz, Gordon Johnson, Ted Moore, Leo Kottke, Gary Gauger, George Ricci, Margaret Ross, Jerry Niewood, Ralph Towner, Russell George & Ron Zito.