 email: bluzblowr@hotmail.com video: Wayne on YouTube |
The Johnston Brothers Happy Blues * The Best Is Yet To Come * Until We Meet Again * Southern Reign Diggy Diggy Lo *** The Johnston Band From a Deep Well * The Wall Between Us ** Wayne solo Orange Blossom Special **** Whats This All About? * ** written by Wayne Johnston, published by Jobro Music Co, /Waja Publishing, BMI, Inc. ***written by J D Miller, Warner Bros. ****written by E T Rouse, ASCAP |
Wayne started a band with his brothers. During High School, Wayne also played in bands with: John Oates (of Hall and Oates) Ray Benson Lucky Oceans (Asleep at the Wheel) Dave "Rojo" Burns (Johnny Rodriguez) He began recording his original material in the studios of Phila. and NY. He also taught guitar lessons at George Britton Folk Studios. The Johnston Brothers re-formed with brothers Mark, Kurt, Jeff, and friend Art DuHaime The band starved for a few years, then landed a Summer long gig at Trader Lee's in Ocean City, MD which lasted for four years. It was here that Wayne had a chance to meet the vacationing president of Hohner Harmonicas Leland T. James. After James heard Wayne play, he hooked him up with a lifetime endorsement with Hohner, Inc.  The Johnston Bros. became regulars on WWVA Jamboree U.S.A. in Wheeling, W.Va., where they played once a month on the live radio broadcast from The Capital Music Hall. During this period they also started touring the East Coast, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. Some concert and showcase venues for the J.B.'s were: Philadelphia Folk Festival Jamboree in the Hills WXTU promotions Valley Forge Music Fair Dancin' on Air AM Philadelphia Hyatt Regency/Fanfare in Nashville. They won first place at Delaware State Finals of The Wrangler Country Showdown and made the final 10 at The Roy Acuff Theater in Nashville. J.B.'s then took first runner-up in the national finals of the Wrangler Country Showdown in 1984, which aired on TNN from The Grand Ol' Opry. Endorsements followed from Dodge Trucks, Tony Lama Boots, and Wrangler Jeans.  This spawned the independent record label "Hidden Valley Records." Subsequent releases got national airplay and made Indie, Billboard, Cashbox, Gavin, R&R charts. The Johnston's were nominated "Vocal Group of the Year" in 1988. Wayne formed the publishing company "Jobro Music Co." Lionel Cartwright performed one of Wayne's songs "Hometown Girl" on the TV series "I-40 Paradise," on TNN. After a mutual hiatus from the Johnston Bros. schedule, Wayne quit the road (sort of), got married and started a family. He built Hummingbird Studio and later West Buck Studio, both of which were used for rehearsals,writing, and making demos of his songs. Here, he also did recording sessions with artists like the published songwriter Jack Murray and many other local area musicians. One of these groups was a band that Wayne formed with Mike Guldin and Matt McNally called Rollin' and Tumblin'. Along with the "Tumblers" and others like Gene Galligan and Karl Frick, he introduced "Blues Jams" & "Acoustic Jams" (Open Mic Nights) to various local venues. These cultural gatherings continue to receive loyal support from locals looking for a place to Jam. Upon the gentle urging of his brother Kurt (one of the most brilliant musicians Wayne has ever known), the two brothers reunited for a few productive yet turbulent years. During this reunion, the two wrote a new batch of songs and recorded a CD in 1996 with Myles Rothwell, Bill Sharrow, Richard Orr, Troy Corley, and Kurt's eventual wife and new duo partner, Debbie Tocce, vocalist extraordinaire. For some reason, unknown to this day - to Wayne and the rest of the Johnston Family- Kurt and Debbie continued to call their band The Johnston Brothers for 7 more years after they and Wayne had parted company! Understandably, there was, and still is, "more than a tad" of confusion amongst the fans who followed the J.B.'s. As the new millennium approached, Wayne found himself playing at audiologist conventions in towns such as Cedar Rapids, New York, San Antonio, and Los Angeles with "The Hawks" - a band that actually did party like it was 1999. The century ended at a deliciously dizzying pace, marking the end of an old era and the fresh start of a new one. Much to his delight, Wayne landed a gig with "Southern Reign" and did two seasons with them on their concert and fair circuit. He also got involved in session work, concert spots, and Gospel shows with long time friends "The Cramer Bros." Then came The Johnston Band. With his lovely wife Brenda as the manager/agent, this 6-piece act was booked solid. Members included Sy Kipp, Gordy Rex, Eddie Rick, Chris Yando, and Rochel Radogna. This was a blend of seasoned veterans and young talent. The Harmonies were diamond point. Wayne now rotates his band mates from one venue to another, while using regulars Sy Kipp, Ed Rick, and brother Mark Johnston as his main rhythm section. He still does a considerable amount of freelance work with duo partner Gene Galligan and long time friend and mentor Jack Murray, on and off stage, in and out of the recording studio. Solo engagements also help round out the schedule. Bluegrass is also back in the picture – from time to time - and there are now some dates being booked with Bob and Terry Sutor from “Borderline” along with Ted Fenstermacher on fiddle. Blues is very much a part of the monthly schedule as well, with Jump Blues artist Russ Lambert and the occasional reunion with Mike Guldin and Rollin' and Tumblin'. Dates are continuously booked through each year for Wayne on the Irish circuit with Vince Gallager and Theresa Flannigan's groups that include the Irish Centers in Philadelphia, Pa. and Wilmington, Del. One of his favorite highlights is the annual participation at Irish Fest at the end of every Summer in Wildwood, N.J. The world class caliber of talent in this three day Celtic based concert series is delightfully enjoyable, and well worth the trip for music fans devoted to seeking out styles apart from the main stream. Wayne has a retrospect compilation currently in production which will be available to the public by summer of '08. Also planned: a release of newly penned songs... ...stay tuned!  Winners of Shredfest 2007 at Guitar Villa Wayne Johnston and Greg Ort, holding their Epiphone prizes... also pictured : Gibson rep. Bart Walsh and store owner John Slog who have made it possible for me to enjoy sharing the gift of music. God bless you all. Let the good times roll on!" Wayne is still writing and enjoying the life of a free lance side man. |