Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

JOHNSON, Michael

(b 8 Aug. '44, Alamosa CO) Country/folk singer-songwriter, classically-trained guitarist, session player. Performed on local Denver music scene during his teens and won national talent contest resulting in contract with Epic Records '64. Toured on the folk club and college circuit '64--6; moved to Spain for a year studying classical guitar under Graciano Tarrego; returned to Denver '68 and joined David Boise and John Denver in the 'new' Chad Mitchell Trio. That lasted a year; Denver embarked on successful solo career; Johnson joined touring production of Jacques Brel Is Alive And Living In Paris. Signed with Atlantic Records '71 and cut first solo album There Is A Breeze. Then formed his own Sankrit label and recorded mainly his own songs; he toured on club and college circuit, his songs attracting attention in Nashville; he moved there '77 and worked with producer Brent Maher, landed contract with EMI-America and such pop hits as 'Bluer Than Blue' and 'Almost Like Being In Love' '78, but was dropped by the label '81. Along with session work etc he teamed with Maher again (now producing the Judds); contract with RCA '84 led to major country hits incl. 'I Love You By Heart' duet with Sylvia '85, 'Give Me Wings' '86 and 'The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder' '87 (both no. ones), 'I Will Whisper Your Name' '88. At the height of this success he suffered ill health; resurfaced briefly on Atlantic Records '92, then signed to Vanguard '95, a label more suited to his folk-country style. Other albums incl. For All You Mad Musicians '75, Ain't Dis Da Life '77 (both Sankrit); Dialogue '79 (EMI-America); Wings '86, That's That '88, Life's A Bitch '89 (UK only) all on RCA; Michael Johnson '92 (Atlantic); Departure '96 (Vanguard).