April 2003 Feature Story

Johnny Lang

In the mid to late '90s, modern blues gained mainstream attention with teenage guitarists sky-rocketing to popularity with their first releases. The first was Kenny Wayne Shepard in 1995 with his release of Ledbetter Heights, which had sold over 500,000 copies by early 1996. In 1997, Shepard released Trouble Is which again garnered great success. But this time around, he found competition from a 15 year old guitar player from Fargo, North Dakota. Jonny Lang's major label release Lie To Me, for A&M, caught the attention of critics and record buyers alike not only for his accomplished licks and riffs but also his robust and beefy vocals.
Jonny Lang attended a show by the Bad Medicine Blues Band at age 12. He joined the group and within months, Lang was fronting the group. The now named "Kid Jonny Lang and the Big Band" relocated to Minneapolis and recorded their debut, Smokin', in 1995 for an independent label called Oarfin. Smokin' ended up selling 25,000 copies without national distribution-leading to a bidding war between labels. With A&M now backing him, Lang entered the studio to record his debut. While some critics found the record weak in spots, the record eventually surpassed the 1 million mark in sales and the guitarist found himself touring with such legendary acts as Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, and BB King. In addition, King invited him to share the stage with Buddy Guy, Luther Allison, and Lonnie Brooks.

While some critics would dismiss Lie To Me and Lang himself as a novelty act, the 1998 release of Wander This World found Lang with a more mature approach and a less pronounced Stevie Ray Vaughn influence. With producer David Z (known for his work with Prince), the Midwesterner delivered an exhilarating sophomore effort that has as much to do with soul, funk, and rock as it does with blues.
Even though it has been 5 years since Jonny Lang has released a new record, he has remained a welcome and much sought-after guest on such projects as Double Trouble's Been A Long Time (2001), Buddy Guy's Heavy Love (1998), John Mayall's Along For the Ride (2001) and on teenage blues guitarist, Shannon Curfman's debut, Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions (1999). In the absence of a new record, Smokin' was re-released in 2002 on Eagle Records. Working with musician, songwriter, and producer, Lang has a new record in the can. However, a release date has not been set.

At just 22, Jonny Lang has become one of the most recognized names in modern rock-blues and there is no doubt that he will continue to grow and develop as an artist.

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