Lee Johnson is the writer of the words and music. These songs are pitch demos recorded with Kim Copeland Productions, on Music Row in Nashville. Many thanks to Kim and the players and vocalists at Fun House Studio! If you would like to hear my versions of some of these songs solo acoustic visit www.leejohnsonsongs.com. In the past I have toured nationally and I may release my own solo CDs sometime soon. For now I am focused on writing for tomorrow's country artists.
Influences
For songwriting Rock, Southern Rock, Blues, Country, Americana, and Bluegrass. I love the blend of Bluesy Country and Rock...who doesn't?
I also love to play and listen to Western Swing, Zydeco, Reggae, Caribbean, Jazz, Bossa Nova, and Big Band Swing etc. I also like the music in my head... sometimes it's good to have your own tune going....
I have a long list of influences so artists are listed in gerneral categories.
Bluegrass/Western Swing:
Bill Monroe, Stanley Brothers, Del Mcoury, Peter Rowan, Jerry Douglas (I bought his dobro books) Sally Van Meter (I took dobro lessons from Sally, what a great experience) Tim Obrien and Hot Rize, (I wish I could sing like Tim) Sam Bush, John Cowan (I opened for him at Gold Hill Inn in Colorado, what a thrill), New Grass Revival, (really got me tuned into the bluegrass world) Tony Rice (my "Eric Clapton" of bluegrass guitar), etc...
Bob Wills, etc...
Country: Old and New
Jimmy Rogers, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, George Strait...etc...Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts etc...
Rock and Blues:
Eric Clapton (a big influence on my guitar playing, I love how Clapton just sqeezes every drop out of every note, I have learned so many of his songs and licks, Neil Young, (huge Neil Young fan since I was 15) CSNY, Steven Stills, Paul Mcartney, John Lennon, Beatles, (I really grew up with the Beatles and Bob Dylan thru my Dad, and I wish I could sing like Paul Mcartney) Tom Petty (love his songs), Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits (another guitarist that had a huge influence on my playing), Bonnie Raitt (a huge influence on my slide playing), Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers (Dickey Betts style taught me the use of blue notes in major pentatonic scale)Santana (I can tell it's him in 3 notes or less, and I spent hours learning his licks), Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Rolling Stones, Billie Joel, The Band (I can't play "The Weight" or "Ophelia" again though), Pink Floyd, Eagles, Jackson Brown, The Boss, U2, Chuck Berry, BB King, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie, Mississippi John Hurt, etc...
Zydeco/Cajun/New Orleans: Professor Longhair, Chubby Carrier, Roy Carrier, Dr. John, Little Feat, Lowell George, The Meters, Neville Brothers, etc...
Folk/Songwriters:
Woodie and Arlo Gutherie, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Steve Earl, David Gray, etc...
Jazz: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Ornette Coleman, Stan Getz/Giberto, John McLaughlan, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, etc... I've learned a lot of cool guitar lines listening to horn parts...
Newer Rock:
Jack Johnson (I love the mellow grooves), Coldplay (I like these songs and this new sound), John Mayer(he writes catchy tunes, but this guy can really play!), Howie Day, Josh Kelly, Michael Tolcher etc...
Alt Country/ Americana:
Sun Volt, Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Whiskey Town, Ryan Adams, etc...
Reggae/Caribbean:
Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytals, David Lindley, Getz/Gilberto etc...
I'll do more later...I know I'm forgetting a ton right now. I really can't comment enough on how much of an influence some of these folks are and have been, "like my fathers before me"...
Sounds Like
A mixture of Southern Rock, Country, Blues and Bluegrass. You may notice influences from some or all the artists listed above.
I'm working at displaying my own style of songwriting, while at the same time providing songs that are commercially viable and universally appealing to other artists and fans. True creativity for me is achieving this balance.
Hi...Thanks for coming to check out my site. I'm a performing songwriter, and guitarist in Boulder, CO. I've had a passion for music all my life. I started on piano and then guitar at age 10 and later bass and voice, as well as dobro and steel guitar. I was writing songs in 7th grade. My influences are mainly Southern Rock, Country, Blues and Bluegrass. I play other styles too.
I recieved BA's in Environmental Sciences CU Boulder 1987-1991, and Music and Sound Tech. at UCD Denver, CO 1993-1995. I have been playing gigs locally and nationally for almost 20 years now as well as occasional session work. My day gig is teaching guitar full time, since 1996.
I toured nationally as singer/songwriter/teletwanging/steel guitarist with Bluegrass/Rock act "Runaway Truck Ramp" from 1998-2003. We made 2 CDs and played festivals, bars, and theatres to loyal festivarian crowds. See Rolling Stone Mag Sept 1999 issue of "Top 100 bands that make up the soul of Saturday night".
Currently, I have decided to focus 110% on the craft of songwriting. I keep a modest gig schedule locally, as a solo performing songwriter, and occasionally with a band. I am a member of ASCAP, NSAI, Taxi and CMT.
The songs on my site are pitch demo format, recorded in Nashville with producer Kim Copeland at Fun House Studio on Music Row. Many thanks to Kim and the vocalists and musicians she uses as well as everyone NSAI for helping me along.
I also record my own versions of songs in my home studio and have plans to record many a solo CD in the future. For now my priority is to write and present the best songs I can. Take a listen, and enjoy!
Also see www.leejohnsonsongs.com for the full catelogue.
Thanks for being my friend on here. How have you been doing? I am doing alright, working all the time and doing what I can to find time to pick up the guitar and write once in a while. Check out my songs if you get a chance.
SEe yOu oN JUNE 19th :) We plAY aT 10pm ♥ $4 DiSCOUNt tiCKEts fOr oUr sHOw aRe aT tHe GuITAr cENTEr aCCROSs fROm PARk mEAdOWs Mall :) tHANks fOR tHe suPPORt :) MuCH lOVe tO yOu ♥ xOxOXOxo --AEoN
Hi Lee, How are you doing? Please have a listen to the two new songs on my page if you will. They are called 'The Whole Shebang' and 'Highlands'. Hope you like it.
Peace...thanks for the add! If you like FREE music download "Throw Ya Hands Up" from my page...visit iTunes for the album...one...Sub CLICK FLYER TO PURCHASE CD!
Hey hope everything is goin' well for ya! Wanted to let ya know I've got new music for ya to hear. Hope you enjoy! The music is from the soundtrack to the movie "A Father's Rights." Come on over to my site to check it out! ..
Quand le bien fait mal alors c'est un mal pour un bien !!! Le sang coule dans nos veines comme le rouge velours des passions destructrices, dévoreuses des chemins parsemés de pétales, où la rose se fane pour revivre le jour quand on n'y crois plus, laissant le goût des baisers vibrer au rythme des battements du cœur pour une valse de Vienne...
Une pensée d’une plume pour déposer mon empreinte… Amitiés
Hi there Lee, Thanks for the add and the friendship. It's nice to meet you. So your in Boulder? I lived in Longmont for 20 years. Beautiful place! I love your songs, Beautiful! Thanks again and have a wonderful week, Teresa
