Dennis Johnson Bio
Dennis Johnson is viewed as one of the elite slide guitar players performing today. Drawing comparisons to slide guitarists Robert Johnson and Roy Rogers, Dennis Johnson masterfully elevates the art of slide guitar across many genres of music including Blues, New Orleans, Rock, and Swing.
Dennis has received high praise from the media - “Highly Recommended” touts Real Blues Magazine. A “masterful guitarist” proclaims Blues Underground Network. Blues Bytes Magazine lauded his "amazingly adept" slide guitar technique.
Born in San Francisco, Dennis grew up in the bay area where he saw many slide guitarists perform including Roy Rogers. Dennis recalled “seeing Roy play the first time really blew me away. A huge influence on my music.”
As a teenager Dennis first heard the music of the legendary slide guitarist Robert Johnson. Robert Johnson’s music became a significant influence on Dennis’s evolution as a guitarist. Dennis explained “Robert‘s guitar playing sounded like two guitars. It’s a blend of rhythm and side lead lines as if two guitarists are playing when it’s really one guitarist. I approach guitar in much the same way.”
Dennis’ path to becoming a professional musician was shaped when he met legendary delta blues musician Honeyboy Edwards in 2007. Dennis recalls a conversation with Honeyboy in which Honeyboy told him to “play the blues” in life. Dennis recalls “when Honeyboy Edwards tells you to play the blues, you listen.”
In 2010, Dennis Johnson released his first album Slide Show to critical acclaim. Slide Show rose to the Top 50 blues CDs worldwide and No. 21 on the California Roots Radio Charts. Blues Revue Magazine praised the songs “2 In the Morning” as an “accomplished tribute to Elmore James,” "Down In New Orleans" as a “syncopated delight,” and "She Looks Good" as a “barnburner. “Slide Show includes some great original tunes and fresh interpretations of old favorites that guarantee repeated listening." Blues Bytes Magazine
Dennis Johnson is working on a new album, designed to bring slide guitar to new levels, for release in 2013.
He has been touring in the western United States for the past two years, where he has performed in clubs and festivals including Napa Red, White & Blues Festival, Napa Blues & Brews Festival, and more. He continues to tour with stirring live performances that move audiences and get people dancing!
