Biography
A guitarist who taught himself, Richard Leo Johnson produces an unconventional acoustic approach that recalls the late Michael Hedges. Though often grouped with new age artists, the force of his sonic and rhythmic storms surpasses the expectations attached to that category. He lists Leo Kottke, John McLaughlin, and Pete Townshend among his influences, while traces of Larry Coryell, Ralph Towner, and Pat Metheny may also surface for attentive listeners.
Raised in Arkansas and currently based in Georgia, Johnson built a thriving career as an architectural photographer before turning to music. Blue Note Records released his debut album, Fingertip Ship, in 1999. Language followed in 2000, still on Blue Note. His next three projects appeared on Cuneiform Records: Poetry of Appliance in 2004, Legend of Vernon McAlister in 2006, and Who Knew Charlie Shoe? in 2007.
Raised in Arkansas and currently based in Georgia, Johnson built a thriving career as an architectural photographer before turning to music. Blue Note Records released his debut album, Fingertip Ship, in 1999. Language followed in 2000, still on Blue Note. His next three projects appeared on Cuneiform Records: Poetry of Appliance in 2004, Legend of Vernon McAlister in 2006, and Who Knew Charlie Shoe? in 2007.
Albums
