We are so excited and happy to announce that guitar star Johnny Burgin (formerly Rockin’ Johnny) has just been nominated for the coveted and most prestigious blues award out there. This is Johnny’s first ever Blues Music Award nomination as a leader. Big congrats and well deserved nomination for one of the most talented, passionate, friendly, and hardest working blues artists on the scene. Be sure to check out his amazing Delmark albums, his killer YouTube guitar instruction channel, and his fascinating Podcast series with his partner Stephanie Tice, NO BORDER BLUES!
In addition to Johnny Burgin, other Delmark Recording artists who are nominated for a BMA are the incredibly inspiring and ageless legendary Bob Stroger (bassist of the year,) rising star bluesman, Jose Ramirez (Best Emerging Artist Album,) and Sax Gordon Beadle (horn player of the year!)
And other BMA nominations from Delmark friends who have recorded many times for Delmark but not as a leader are the following: Kenny Smith (drummer of the year,) harp ace Billy Branch (traditional blues male artist of the year,) Deitra Farr (traditional blues female artist of the year,) and vocalist/guitarist John Primer (album of the year.)
And did you know that many other BMA nominees have recorded for Delmark as a “sideman” including guitarists Kid Andersen & Joanna Connor, harp legends, Charlie Musselwhite & Bob Corritore, Bobby Rush, and of course, Buddy Guy!
Please VOTE HERE for your favorite Delmark blues artists!
Check out this video of Johnny absolutely tearin’ it up in 2019 from Cadillac Zack’s Blue Monday gigs in Tarzana, CA
JOHNNY BURGIN
One of the hardest touring and well recognized traditional Chicago blues guitarists and singers today. A leading blues attraction in the U.S. and Europe.
“His guitar style is raw and rude and real—on the vocal side, a nice original style–he’s damn good!”
– Elvin Bishop
Johnny Burgin is one of the hardest touring and well recognized traditional Chicago blues guitarists and singers today. Since his start in the 90s on Chicago’s West Side with blues singer Taildragger, he has become a leading blues attraction throughout the United States and Europe. He’s been featured in major media outlets such as The Chicago Tribune, WGN’s After Hours with Rick Kogan, The Illinois Times, and KPFA’s Blues by the Bay.
Johnny is a Delmark recording artist with 7 CDs to his credit, including his latest critically acclaimed release, “Neoprene Fedora”, of which David Mac of Blues Junction said, “Everything is thrown into this ambitious ocean of ideas.. On Neoprene Fedora the contemporary and traditional drink out of the same glass– my highest recommendation.”
Johnny currently does close to 250 shows a year worldwide. He is also in demand as a session player and has recorded with many blues greats including Billy Boy Arnold, Taildragger, Paul DeLay, Jimmy Burns, Andre Williams, Eddie Taylor Jr., Jimmy Lee Robinson and others.
Johnny Burgin grew up in Starkville MS and Greenville SC, and while he was still in high school, he got to see many touring blues bands such as Guitar Jr, Gatemouth Brown and Eddie Clearwater. His father was an actor and folk musician and taught him the basics on guitar. He went to University of Chicago with the intention of becoming a writer, but a different path unfolded and he fell headfirst into the Chicago blues scene. After learning from the masters by touring with such artists as Pinetop Perkins and Howlin’ Wolf drummer Sam Lay, he put his own band together.
Things started happening fast after The Rockin Johnny Band (with guest vocalist Jimmy Burns) took a Monday night residency at the Smoke Daddy in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Their original, energetic approach made them a strong local draw week after week and year after year. The atmosphere the band generated was so electric that the prestigious local label Delmark Records offered them a contract after hearing just one set.
Since those days, Johnny played the Chicago blues festival many times, toured Europe regularly, and has headlined festivals all over the US. Over the years, he has developed from a blues guitar slinger and local blues hero into a fully fledged singer, harmonica player, a dynamic and engaging bandleader, and a mature, seasoned guitarist. One look at Johnny’s tour schedule confirms his status as an in-demand blues performer.
He also plays solo and duo shows, has a great West Coast Meets Chicago package with rising harmonica star Aki Kumar, and does guitar and blues workshops worldwide. Johnny puts on the kind of satisfying and exciting show that only years of touring can develop.
TESTIMONIALS
“I’m knocked out! I already liked what you were doing, but you’ve really moved WAY up. What did you do, go to the crossroads or something?”
CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE
“I first saw Rockin’ Johnny years back at the Utrecht Blues Estafette, and was very impressed. The years have added maturity, his vocals are soulful and his guitar playing is always top notch. Impressed, you bet I was!”
PHIL WIGHT, BLUES AND RHYTHM MAGAZINE, UK
“The great thing about Rockin’ Johnny is that his sound is fully rooted in the old style Chicago Blues sound, but his approach is original and contemporary.”
KAREN HANSEN, TODAY’S CHICAGO BLUES BLOG
https://www.road-dawg.com/johnny-burgin
Upcoming SHOWS
Bratz Y’all! Bistro • Bakery • Biergarten
Duo with Marvelous Marvin
Solo show
Mar. 3, 2023Bellinzona, Switzerland
Mar. 4, 2023Travagliato, Italy
Mar. 9, 2023Luzern, Switzerland
Solo show
Mar. 14, 2023Stavanger, Norway
Mar. 18, 2023Slemmestad, Norway
Mar. 22, 2023Roskilde, Denmark
Duo with Peter Nande
Mar. 25, 2023Silkeborg, Denmark
Mar. 31, 2023Sønderborg, Denmark
Apr. 9, 2023Virginia Beach, VA
Special Guest with the Pee Dee Blues Society
May. 5, 2023Heist-Op-Den-Berg, Belgium
Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band W Tail Dragger And Johnny Burgin
Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band Ft Tail Dragger And Johnny Burgin
Tickets
May. 7, 2023Dongen, Netherlands
Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band W Tail Dragger And Johnny Burgin
May. 8, 2023Ruiselede, Belgium
Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band W Tail Dragger And Johnny Burgin
Blues Cruise On The Star Of Knoxville
Hosted by the Smoky Mountain Blues Society
Jun. 13 – 16, 2023Clarksdale, MS
PINETOP PERKINS WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
Johnny returns at the guitar instructor for this youth-centric traditional blues workshop.
Tickets
Monroe Balloon & Blues Festival
Sep. 17, 2023Sakai City, Japan
Sakai Blues Festival, Mina Sakai
Tickets
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