Johnny Hawthorn Band
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Johnny Hawthorn Band

Band Rock Blues

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"Spotlight column July 2005"

Hawthorn began playing guitar at age 15. He was self taught until attending Guitar Institute of Tech. in Hollywood, CA where he studied with such instructors as Paul Gilbert. After performing throughout the L.A. scene with his blues band Hawthorn began fielding offers that at one point landed him in six groups simultaneously. He has worked with Todd Nichols of Toad the Wet Sprocket(and toured with Toad on lap-steel, guitar and mandolin), performed with the band Lapdog, taught for the National Guitar Workshop, and done session work for FOX, NBC, and HBO. Hawthorn is a gifted player on all fronts, with phrasing reminiscent of Clapton and Hendrix and his recordings range from Texas shuffles to classic rock in the tradition of the Black Crows and Tom Petty. - Guitar Player Magazine


"Uncovering Guitar potential"

Produced by Todd Nichols from the band Toad The Wet Sprocket, Johnny Hawthorn's CD The Johnny Hawthorn Band is equal parts blooze, Texas chili, butt kickin' riffs, slippery rock solos, King-inspired (Freddie, Albert, Earl) licks, deft acoustic moments and explosive leads. The Johnny Hawthorn Band breathes the rarefied air reserved for albums that strive to ascend to the peak of musical achievement in their audience-defined genre. When you can convincingly pull off a lap-steel version of "Crossroads" and follow it with the attitude of a blazing "Shadow Man", well, your biggest problem will be remembering that it's Hawthorn without the 'e' when you go online to search for it. Get a hold of a copy before the next album comes out, or you'll then find yourself two albums behind.
Originally from Philadelphia, Johnny came to Los Angeles to attend Musicians Institute in Hollywood, and upon graduation became a hired "gun" guitar player in the LA music scene. He has performed with and/or recorded for many artists including Toad the Wet Sprocket, Debby Holiday, Michael Duff, Shane Alexander, Nicole Gordon, and Grant Langston to name a few. Johnny was featured in the July 2005 edition of Guitar Player Magazine in the Spotlight column and has product endorsements by Framus guitars/amps and Dana B. Goods Music Products. He also teaches at the world renowned National Guitar Workshop.
The Johnny Hawthorn Band recently performed at the 2006 NAMM Show with guitar legend Dick Dale at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA.
- Guitar Nine Magazine


"New artist section"

The Johnny Hawthorn Band features a potent mix of rock and blues in their self-titled release on the Abe’s Records label. Hawthorn is a fantastic guitarist in the Clapton/Hendrix vein who has previously toured with Toad the Wet Sprocket, and also has a great way with a lyric, composing nine of the 11 tracks. The original songs will remind you of Tom Petty with their classic rock sound, but there are also occasional echoes of Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Allmans present as well. “Walden’s Pond,” “Sorry,” “Still In Love,” and “Hey Baby” are highlights.
Though not exclusively a blues band, they do pay a visit to the genre with a take on Earl King’s “Come On” that would do Jimi Hendrix proud, and an all lap steel version of “Crossroads” that will definitely make you stand up and take notice. The band is a trio, composed of Hawthorn on guitar, Steve Heidtman on bass, and Mike Sauer on drums, with Frank Zappa alum Arthur Barrow contributing some Hammond B3 on a couple of tracks. Toad the Wet Sprocket singer/guitarist Todd Nichols produced the disc. Fans of blues or classic rock will find much to enjoy on this disc. It’s available at www.cdbaby.com. For more information on the band, visit www.johnnyhawthorn.com.
--- Graham Clarke
- Blue Bites Review


Discography

The band has released it debut CD "The Johnny Hawthorn Band" this year. Since then we've received airplay on 95.5 KLOS fm in Los Angeles, CA, reviewed at Guitar Nine Magazine
and Living Blues Magazine toured up and down the west coast. We are in regular rotation at: UpstageRadio.com & Radio ZRO 106.2 FM BELGIUM, RADIO HOLSTEBRO 97,4 MHZ
www.RadioHolstebro.dk

Photos

Bio

Johnny Hawthorn (vocals & guitar) has been on the Los Angeles music scene for about ten years. “I started out playing guitar with a blues based band called Big Johnson and had really good regional success but broke up. After that project I became a “hired gun” around town playing in at one time six different bands!
Some standout projects that he became involved with include LAPDOG which is the band Todd Nichols from Toad the Wet Sprocket formed after they broke up. “I’ve toured and completed a record with Lapdog and it’s been a great band to be associated with. I also tour the country with other acts including Toad the Wet Sprocket playing guitar, lapsteel and mandolin.”
“Summer 2004 I taught guitar at the National Guitar Workshop in New Orleans, Louisiana and had a revelation that I should try my luck at fronting my own band. I came back to Los Angeles and called up some friends just to see if it could work. Drummer Mike Sauer and bassist Duke Carpenter are two of the coolest musicians I know and they’re super talented. We rehearsed a few times and put together a set list of the best blues covers we could think of – booked a gig at the world famous BB Kings Blues Club. Todd Nichols from Toad the Wet Sprocket produced the CD.