Album Notes

The Johnny Hawthorn Band
Johnny Hawthorn '" Guitars & Vocals
Steve Heidtmann '" Bass
Mike Sauer '" Drums

Los Angeles -When you think of the ‘90’s pop band Toad the Wet Sprocket, you probably wouldn’t associate them with loud electric guitars ladened with fuzz, wah-wah and slide. But when Todd Nichols (former singer & guitar player from Toad) met Johnny Hawthorn to produce Hawthorn’s debut CD, their two worlds collided. And something happened: catchy hooks combined with fiery guitar playing, resulting in one eccelectic and explosive CD.

The Johnny Hawthorn Band CD released January 28, 2006, features eleven songs with two classic covers of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads” and Earl King’s “Come on,” with the former performed all on slide lapsteel guitar. Guests include Frank Zappa alum Arthur Barrow contributing Hammond B3 on a few tracks.

The Johnny Hawthorn Band CD has been called “a guitar picker’s dream,” as it includes electric & acoustic guitar, lapsteel guitar and mandolin. Hawthorn was featured in the July 2005 edition of Guitar Player Magazine in the Spotlight column and has product endorsements by Framus guitars/amps and Dana B. Goods Music Products. He also teaches at the world renowned National Guitar Workshop.

Originally from Philadelphia PA, Hawthorn came to Los Angeles to attend Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA, and upon graduation became a hired “gun” guitar player in the LA music scene. He has performed with and/or recorded for many artists including Toad the Wet Sprocket, Debby Holiday, Michael Duff, Shane Alexander, Nicole Gordon, and Grant Langston to name a few.

During a trip to New Orleans last summer, Hawthorn had a musical spiritual awakening. “The history of music is so strong there and I felt I couldn’t stand by and watch it go by as a sideman anymore. I wanted to be a part of that history!” Back in Los Angeles I put the call out to Todd Nichols to assist in the production. Within three weeks the CD was recorded, mixed and mastered. “Todd and I produced this CD all ‘in house’, without any outside help from record labels or and fancy recording studios.”

Blues Bytes magazine said, “Hawthorn is a fantastic guitarist in the Clapton/Hendrix vein…has a great way with a lyric…songs will remind you of Tom Petty with their classic rock sound, with occasional echoes of Stevie Ray Vaughan.”

The Johnny Hawthorn Band recently performed at the 2006 NAMM Show with guitar legend Dick Dale at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA