*** ROGER JOHNSON (producer, songwriter, lead vocals & guitar). Growing up under the musical influence of the Beatles, Byrds, Flying Burrito Bros and Eagles, Roger Johnson’s songwriting reflects a highly sophisticated take on life and affairs of the heart.
Co-produced by Johnson and Dik Shopteau, the album, "Stag Cotillion", is comprised of two CDs containing 25 songs and 100 minutes of music. Along with the above-mentioned artists, listeners may also hear echoes of Roy Orbison, as well as shades of Chris Isaak and Dwight Yoakam.
All influences aside, however, there's no question that Johnson’s music is fresh, new and distinctively his own. Although each track stands on it’s own merits, "Stag Cotillion" has a story arc that follows one man’s journey from the innocence of youth to the wisdom of maturity. Johnson's vocals are evocative, poignant and very malleable He has the unique ability to subtly alter his voice in order to best tell the story contained within each of his compositions.
Roger's duets with singing partner, Emmaline Muchmore, offer a unique blend of earthiness and sophistication. The Johnson-Muchmore tandem invites favorable comparisons with the heartfelt vocals of the late Gram Parsons and his singing partner, Emmy Lou Harris.
With decades of professional music experience under his belt, Roger has developed the “big ears” required of a successful record producer. He has performed with alt-country singer-songwriter, Kim Richey, Tex-Mex rockabilly darling, Rosie Flores, and Nashville’s Jann Browne, as well as with Adam Durwitz (Counting Crows) and David Lowry of Cracker. Johnson has won three developing songwriter awards from ASCAP and has appeared on-stage in Los Angeles as a guest of legendary music producer, Nik Venet, at his “Campfire Conspiracy Songwriters Showcase”.
*** DIK SHOPTEAU (producer, engineer, bass & vocals). Over the course of his distinguished career, Dik has performed throughout the United States and Europe. He has recorded and engineered sessions at such legendary studios such as: Muscle Shoals in Alabama, Electric Ladyland in New York City, Miami’s Criteria Studios, Paisley Park in Minneapolis and Le Studio in Paris. Shopteau has engineered or produced artists whose albums have appeared on these labels: MCA, Polygram, RCA, Warner Bros, Curb, Arista/BMG and Motown.
*** EMMALINE MUCHMORE (vocals & guitar). *** GREG HORN (guitar & vocals). *** ALAN TOSEL (bass & vocals). *** TONY GUSCETTI (drums). *** JIM MAZUR (keyboards, guitar & vocals). *** MELISSA KADINGER (vocals & keyboards). *** TERRY ISACHSEN (guitar). *** CAROLYN BOULAY (violin).
Influences
Beatles * John Lennon * Byrds * Gene Clark * Desert Rose Band * Chris Hillman* Tift Merritt * Flying Burrito Bros * Gram Parsons * John David Souther * Eagles * Rodney Crowell * Dixie Chicks * Raul Malo * Dwight Yoakam * John Sebastian * Moby Grape * Levon Helm * Roger McGuinn * David Crosby * Shelby Lynne * Chris Isaak * Everly Brothers * Kathleen Edwards * Terry Melcher
Sounds Like
Sounds uniquely like the inimitable Roger Johnson! However, as a point of departure, think of it as an epicurean stew - an unconscious, subconsious blend of: "The Gilded Palace of Sin" (Flying Burritos); "Rubber Soul" (Beatles); "On The Border" (Eagles); "White Light" (Gene Clark) and any number of Byrds albums. There may even be a dash or two of Yoakam, Malo and Isaak tossed in for good measure! Does that help, my little kumquats?
The two-CD album, "Stag Cotillion" is now available at Best Buy, Cheapo, The Electric Fetus and on-line through CD Baby, and iTunes (more retail and on-line outlets coming soon)! Co-produced by Roger and the venerable Dik Shopteau, the album features 25 songs and 100 minutes of music.
There's no pandering to any musical lowest common denominator here! No sir and no ma'am - we're playing great music and taking no prisoners. In fact, only the most erudite listeners need apply! Our unique blend of Americana is a high-brow hybrid of musical idioms - from country and rock to folk and R & B.
Sooooo, no worries listeners, we've got your back (and a whole host of stellar material). It's all here...waiting...just for you!
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