Mike Johnson (yodeler)

Last updated
Mike Johnson
Born1946
Instrument(s) Yodeling, guitar
Years active1966–present
LabelsRoughshod Records and You and Me Records

Mike Johnson (born 1946) is an American country music yodeler, singer, and songwriter living in Arlington, Virginia. Also known as Country Music's No.1 Black Yodeler, and Black Yodel No.1.

Contents

Raised in a Catholic family in Washington, DC, Johnson began yodeling in the 1950s, imitating the "Tarzan yell" of actor Johnny Weissmuller. [1] Later he would be influenced by the music of Jimmie Rodgers, Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers. Johnson enlisted in the US Navy in 1965 and served two Vietnam tours from 1967 to 1969 on the USS Constellation CVA-64. From his first professional recording session at Globe Recording Studio in April 1981 in Nashville, he released his first 45rpm single "King of the Fish." [2] Later he became a truck driver, [3] in September 1981. Johnson founded Pata del Lobo Music publishing in 1982, and Roughshod Records and You and Me Records in 1987. [2] Since April 1981 Johnson has released 2 45rpm vinyls, 11 cassettes, and 65 CDs. [4]

Awards and recognition

Johnson received a 2017 Legendary Honky Tonk CD of the Year Award from the National Traditional Country Music Association at their 2017 Old Time Country Music Festival in LeMars, Iowa. Johnson received a 2017 Legendary Honky Tonk CD of the Year Award from the National Traditional Country Music Association at their 2017 Old Time Country Music Festival in LeMars, Iowa.[ citation needed ] [8]

Works

Discography

Compilations

  • Rough Guide to Yodel (2006) [10]

Books

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. Brace, Eric (1996-10-11). "A Local Yodel". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
  2. 1 2 Bart Plantenga (8 February 2013). Yodel in Hi-Fi: From Kitsch Folk to Contemporary Electronica. University of Wisconsin Pres. pp. 30–31. ISBN   978-0-299-29053-5.
  3. Passages: The Cultural Magazine of Pro Helvetia. Pro Helvetia. 2006. p. 52.
  4. http://roughshodrecords.org
  5. Mike Johnson Live! DVD Series: Mike Johnson's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame Induction. 2010-09-04. Retrieved 2015-07-03 via YouTube.
  6. "National Traditional Country Music Assn". Ntcma.net. Archived from the original on 2014-10-08. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
  7. Mike Johnson Lifetime Achievement & James Adelsberger Instrumental CD of the Year – 2016. 2016-09-26 via YouTube.
  8. "Mike Johnson "Legendary Honky Tonk CD of the Year" 29 August 2017-1". YouTube . 14 November 2017.
  9. "Robert P. Everhart Obituary 2021".
  10. Plantenga, Bart (22 September 2006). "Why it's time we learned to love yodelling". The Guardian. Retrieved 2015-07-11.