Jeremiah Johnson has been writing original music for decades and continues to polish his art through consistent rehearsals and tireless touring. Though born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, he seasoned his songwriting by spending a decade on the Gulf Coast of Texas, working hard at making a name for himself as an original blues artist. Boasting a five album discography, just off a European tour and a week performing on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, Johnson is a rising star in the music world!
Singer Songwriter – guitarist
Born and raised in St. Louis, Jeremiah Johnson is the voice of Mississippi River blues blending with the struggles of everyday life. He began learning guitar at age 6, drawing inspiration from his rich St. Louis blues heritage and legendary guitarists, like Alvin Lee, Eric Clapton and Hank Williams Sr. and Jr. With these influences, Johnson began building his musical foundation.
After relocating to Houston, TX, in 1999, Johnson finished in first place for three consecutive years at the Houston Regional Blues Challenges, sponsored by the Houston Blues Society. Johnson returned to St. Louis in 2009, and merged Texas style with STL blues to create the unique sound you hear today. The 10 years Johnson lived and performed in Texas changed his musical style in ways you can still hear in his music today. In 2011, Johnson was the proud winner of the St. Louis Blues Society IBC Challenge and went on to the semifinals to represent St. Louis in Memphis, TN. One year later, Sirius XM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville picked up the Jeremiah Johnson Band, where they can be heard nationwide, and they have been playing his music ever since. You can also hear Jeremiah Johnson on Touch Tunes Jukeboxes in bars/clubs across the US and on radio stations around the world. In September 2014, Johnson filmed his docu-concert, Ride the Blues, directed by Australian Producer/Director Gary Glenn, at the historic Capitol Theater in downtown Burlington, IA. The film is live music video about Johnson’s rise to prominence, featuring intimate interview segments, still photography, guitar solos and stunning vocals. Donations from concert attendees were generously given to the theater and to the National Blues Museum, connecting Johnson’s roles of musician and music advocate. 2014 Johnson records Grind, produced by Devon Allman, features Grammy award winner Yonrico Scott on drums. Grind has been featured on SiriusXM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville, and on the international radio show “Confessing the Blues”, broadcasting on 50 stations in 10 countries worldwide. Grind reached the #8 slot on the Billboard Blues Charts the week of November 7th, 2015.
Johnson follows the success of Grind with a self-produced release, Blues Heart Attack, released worldwide on July 22, 2016. This unique record is a blend of Johnson’s entire musical career. “It’s a combination of our earlier works, and then Grind,” he explained. “There’s horns and keyboard reminiscent of Brand Spankn’ Blues, but also some heavy guitar driven tracks. It’s the evolution of everything in a Blues Heart Attack.” Special guest performers include Tom ‘Papa’ Ray on harmonica, and Nathan Hershey on keys. Blues Heart Attack reached #5 on the Billboard Blues Charts following its release in 2016.
After signing a record deal with Ruf Records in March of 2018, Jeremiah immediately went to Texas to record his debut Ruf Records release, Straitjacket, with BMA award winning Mike Zito producing. Straitjacket debuted #1 on iTunes New Blues Releases and #6 on Billboard Blues Album Chart and has been in the top of the Roots Music Report ever since. After a European tour with Mike Zito in the Beginning of 2019 and then followed by a Northeastern USA tour with Zito again, Johnson has truly electrified a whole new audience.
His 2nd Ruf Records Release happened on February 14th 2020! Johnson went touring with the Ruf Records Blues Caravan 2020 and separately with his now 5 piece band though out 2020. With 70+ dates in Europe, the Legendary Blues Cruise and many top festivals already in the books, 2020 was going to be the year of Jeremiah Johnson.
Then, a worldwide pandemic put it all on pause.
So what did JJ do?
It’s easy to picture him pacing around his home, frustrated by the pandemic and his inability to tour Europe with Heavens to Betsy, his prior album released in February of this year. He instead used the down time to create his next album – “Unemployed and Highly Annoyed”.
American Blues Scene – Quarantined at home for months, Johnson decided it was time to get creative. “Being forced into unemployment has been beyond frustrating,” Johnson exclaims. “I decided to produce an album of songs inspired by the ‘Covid-19 Pandemic’ and try to turn the roller coaster of emotions into something musical. This is truly a concept album.” Unemployed Highly Annoyed is a striking musical reflection of the times that delivers a message the entire world can relate to.
Read the entire article here!
June 2021 – “Named one of the 75 Modern Blues & Blues Rock Artists You Must Hear 2021” – Martine Ehrenclou, Rock and Blues Muse
February 2020
– Releasing February 14, 2020 on Ruf Records, Jeremiah Johnson’s “Heavens To Betsy” is another bold creative leap for an artist on fire!
September 2018
– Jeremiah Johnson debuting at #6 on the Billboard Blues Album chart with his new release STRAITJACKET!
December 2016
– BLUES HEART ATTACK nominated for Blues 411’s Jimi Awards Rock/Blues Release of the Year
August 2016
– Jeremiah Johnson’s sixth album, BLUES HEART ATTACK, reached #5 on the Billboard blues charts
June 2016
– “Black Lingerie” from GRIND won Best Blues Rock Song in 2016 Independent Blues Awards
November 2015
– GRIND reached the #8 slot on the Billboard Blues Charts
September 2014
– Released full length docu-concert, RIDE THE BLUES
February 2011
– Won St. Louis Blues Society’s International Blues Challenge and went on to the semifinals representing St. Louis in Memphis
Unemployed and Highly Annoyed – 2021
Heavens To Betsy – 2020 Straitjacket- 2018
Blues Heart Attack – 2016 :: GRIND – 2014 :: Brand Spank’n Blue – 2011 :: 9th and Russell – 2011 :: Dirty Mind – 2010 :: Red, White and Blues – 2006