--The Johnny Staats Project--
Johnny Staats-Mandolin/Vocals--
Robert Shafer-Guitar--
Chris Stockwell-Dobro/vocals--
Calvin Leport-Banjo/Vocals--
Roger Bissel-Bass/Vocals--
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NOW BOOKING FOR 2008!
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Influences
Bill Monroe, Sam Bush, David Grisman,Django,Flux,Bela and countless others
What the Critics are saying about Johhny Staats: "Amazing" - Amazon.com "Bewitching" - New York Times "Dazzling" - USA Today "Astonishing" - New York Post ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Johnny Staats & The Delivery Boys new release, "Wound For Sound" features seven songs written or co-written by Johnny, as well as Johnny's arrangement of classics such as "Minor Swing" and "Amazing Grace". Also included is a LIVE performance by Johnny and The Delivery Boys of "I Saw the Light" recorded live at the WV Cultural Center in Charleston, WV. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Born and raised in West Virginia, Johnny Staats caught the bluegrass bug right from the start. With his mother playing piano, his father playing on the guitar, and his sister on the banjo, it seemed only natural that Johnny would get his first mandolin at the young age of seven. --------------------------------------- "Just as I started to take mandolin lessons, my teacher passed away," Staats stated, "so I took matters in my own hands, and learned to play by ear from listening to records and 8 tracks of Bill Monroe, Country Gentleman, and many more. There were many nights I listened to those guys all night l..----------------------------------------------- Johnny joined his first band (Bluegrass Heritage) at age 9, and became a regular at competitions from age 13 on. Driven to succeed; Johnny devoted countless hours a day to practice. In fact he never entertained the thought of playing sports in school, because he was fearful he might injure his "hands". -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In West Virginia, Staats established dominance at his home turf - Charleston's prestigious Vandalia Gathering-Mandolin championships in 1996, 1997, and 1999. 1997 was particularly notable in that he pulled off the rare feat of also winning the guitar title and placed third in the fiddle competition. As noteworthy as these awards were though, they did not go far towards keeping the family fed, so from 1998 to present, Johnny Staats has kept the home fires burning as a full time driver for UPS . A devoted husband and father of two, Johnny's musical accomplishments are all the more impressive for having been achieved around family and job responsiblities, not to mention his passion for raccoon hunting with his trusty coonhound. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bursting with creative energy, Staats finally made his way to Nashville to lay down tracks on his first CD, "Wires and Wood" with Giant Records as his recording label. "Wires and Wood" demonstrates Johnny's dazzlling mandolin and expressive voice with a stellar cast of bluegrass legends including: John Cowan, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Jim Hurst, and Tim O'Brien. Other co-stars on the CD were Sara Evans and Kathy Mattea. =============================================== Six of the tracks from "Wires and Wood" are Johnny Staats originals, and each displays a strong lyrical sense shot though with streaks of playful inventiveness. For example, on the opening of "Mandolin Meltdown", Johnny spars with extraordinary mandolin master Sam Bush, and manages to conjure up shades of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli's seminal Quintet of the Hot Club of France . Johnny Staats may be a relative newcomer to the scene, but folks all over are sitting up and taking notice.To date, Staats continues to head out every day in his big brown UPS truck, and no matter how busy he gets with his music, folks around Sandyville, West Virginia area can still count on Johnny to deliver right on time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Johnny has appeared on NBC's Today Show,People Magazine,CNN News,CBS Evening News with Dan Rather,And has performed on the Grand Ole Opry Stage 5 times
I've been around this music my whole life. I just didn't appreciate the beauty of it until recently. This music is a work of art. Just amazing man, truely amazing...
A Friend Is Like A Four Leaf Clover: Hard To Find And Lucky To Have! Have A Great And Wonderful Week! Hope Everything Goes Well ! A Big Hug For Your Friendship!
HI Johnny thanks for the add, hope you are doing well my friend. I hope to get back home sometime soon and see everyone!! I'll never forget the night Jesse and Chris talked me into going coon hunting with you all, what a blast that was. I have about worn out your wires and wood cd I need me another one.....LOL...take care my friend Joyce Crouser
Thanks for the add my friend. I've been a fan since I saw the piece on you on the Evening News several years ago. You have an amazing touch and tone. Hope someday to pick some with you. My uncle-Jerry Yates is the promoter of the Leslie (MI) Bluegrass Festival. I love to see you all up here. I'll do some ear bending.
Hi Johnny..Thanks for the Add. you're music really inspires me to play my guitar. I'm no where near as good as you though...Take Care..send me a comment if you want to...Bye for now Johnny.
Thanks for the add. Love your pickin'. I've been attending Ron Sowell's Open Stage for about a year now. I've learned the lyrics to "Wires and Wood" from that. LOL
Hey Johnny, i really loved looking at all of your pictures, i was thrilled to find that u have a myspace, i will have to let my husband know that, u met him the other day at work, i dont know if u realized when i asked u to add me to your myspace but i work at rpr, i am tammys sister Heather, Kevins sister in law, talk to u later
Hello Johnny, Thank you for the add. Your music is awesome and I consider you one of the best musicians anywhere. You're going to the top of my page. Your "Wires and Wood" song be ever pickers National Anthem. Play on brother! Wish you would come south sometimes.
Hey Johnny... Thanks for being our newest friend... You guys sound great! .. Stop by and leave us a post sometime, we'd love to hear from you... Thanks Mike Gibson, The Grass Less Traveled
Hey Johnny , ever thought of a concert in Montana I would love to see you in person I just love your stuff and am a great fan... I know that its out of the way but it would be awesome to see you... thanks Orrin
