Max Johnston is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work on fiddle, Dobro, banjo, and mandolin with the bands Uncle Tupelo, Wilco and more recently, The Gourds. Johnston is the younger brother of singer-songwriter Michelle Shocked and has supported her in concert tours as well.[1][2]
Johnston began performing with Uncle Tupelo in the fall of 1992 during the "Arkansas Traveler Review tour" during which Uncle Tupelo was the opening act for a bill including The Band, Taj Mahal, and headliner, Michelle Shocked. Although the tour fell apart after just a few shows, Johnston continued to play with Uncle Tupelo occasionally at first, and then as a regular part of the band appearing on the group's final studio album, Anodyne.
Following the departure of Jay Farrar in May 1994, the remaining members of Uncle Tupelo, including Johnston, Ken Coomer, and John Stirratt, formed the band Wilco under the leadership of Jeff Tweedy. Johnston left Wilco shortly after their second album, Being There in 1996 to form his own short-lived band, the Pony Stars and tour with his sister, Michelle Shocked. (Some descriptions of events suggest Johnston was fired by his Wilco band-mates [1]). Johnston was then briefly a member of the Louisville, Kentucky-based band, Freakwater, and gave instrumental support to singer-songwriter Steve Forbert before settling into his present role in 1999 with the Austin-based band, The Gourds.
Johnston was offered a position in The Gourds and immediately accepted it after sitting in with the band at their South by Southwest showcase. After years of performing mainly as a sideman for great songwriters (Farrar, Tweedy, Shocked, and Irwin), Johnston at last felt himself to be a contributing member of the band. "This is more mine than anything I've ever been involved with," Johnston stated, "I have a voice in this band. With Tupelo, it was like, 'Wow, I'm in Uncle Tupelo,' you know? But I didn't have much input. Here, I finally found a group of guys who listen to me, we communicate on a level I haven't before."[3] By the time of his second recording with the band, Bolsa de Agua, Johnston had found his voice contributing the tracks, "Jesus Christ (with Signs Following)" and "O Rings". Johnston has continued to remain active with The Gourds, whose most recent release is 2011'sOld Mad Joy. On October 7, 2014, Johnston released a solo album, "Dismantling Paradise".
johnston, musician, this, article, about, songwriter, racing, driver, johnston, racing, driver, johnston, songwriter, multi, instrumentalist, best, known, work, fiddle, dobro, banjo, mandolin, with, bands, uncle, tupelo, wilco, more, recently, gourds, johnston. This article is about the songwriter For the racing driver see Max Johnston racing driver Max Johnston is a songwriter and multi instrumentalist best known for his work on fiddle Dobro banjo and mandolin with the bands Uncle Tupelo Wilco and more recently The Gourds Johnston is the younger brother of singer songwriter Michelle Shocked and has supported her in concert tours as well 1 2 Max JohnstonJohnston in 2011Background informationOriginUnited StatesGenresAlternative folkOccupation s Musician songwriterInstrument s Guitar fiddle dobro banjo mandolinWebsitehttp max johnston com Contents 1 Career 2 Discography 2 1 solo 2 2 with Uncle Tupelo 2 3 with Wilco 2 4 with Freakwater 2 5 with The Gourds 2 6 Other Recordings 3 References 4 External linksCareer editJohnston began performing with Uncle Tupelo in the fall of 1992 during the Arkansas Traveler Review tour during which Uncle Tupelo was the opening act for a bill including The Band Taj Mahal and headliner Michelle Shocked Although the tour fell apart after just a few shows Johnston continued to play with Uncle Tupelo occasionally at first and then as a regular part of the band appearing on the group s final studio album Anodyne Following the departure of Jay Farrar in May 1994 the remaining members of Uncle Tupelo including Johnston Ken Coomer and John Stirratt formed the band Wilco under the leadership of Jeff Tweedy Johnston left Wilco shortly after their second album Being There in 1996 to form his own short lived band the Pony Stars and tour with his sister Michelle Shocked Some descriptions of events suggest Johnston was fired by his Wilco band mates 1 Johnston was then briefly a member of the Louisville Kentucky based band Freakwater and gave instrumental support to singer songwriter Steve Forbert before settling into his present role in 1999 with the Austin based band The Gourds Johnston was offered a position in The Gourds and immediately accepted it after sitting in with the band at their South by Southwest showcase After years of performing mainly as a sideman for great songwriters Farrar Tweedy Shocked and Irwin Johnston at last felt himself to be a contributing member of the band This is more mine than anything I ve ever been involved with Johnston stated I have a voice in this band With Tupelo it was like Wow I m in Uncle Tupelo you know But I didn t have much input Here I finally found a group of guys who listen to me we communicate on a level I haven t before 3 By the time of his second recording with the band Bolsa de Agua Johnston had found his voice contributing the tracks Jesus Christ with Signs Following and O Rings Johnston has continued to remain active with The Gourds whose most recent release is 2011 s Old Mad Joy On October 7 2014 Johnston released a solo album Dismantling Paradise Discography editsolo edit Dismantling Paradise 2014 with Uncle Tupelo edit Anodyne Sire Reprise 1993 rereleased Columbia Legacy and Rhino Entertainment 2003 89 93 An Anthology Sony 2002 with Wilco edit A M Sire Reprise 1995 Being There Sire Reprise 1996 with Freakwater edit Springtime 1998 with The Gourds edit Ghosts of Hallelujah 1999 Bolsa de Agua 2000 Shinebox 2001 Cow Fish Fowl or Pig 2002 Blood of the Ram 2004 Heavy Ornamentals 2006 Noble Creatures 2007 Haymaker 2009 Old Mad Joy 2011 with Clocker Redbury and Dusty Slosinger dual pseudonyms for Gourd s Bassist Jimmy Smith Slosinger Redbury 2000 Johnston listed as Trevor Rivera Cold War s Hot Water Shower 2001 as Trevor Rivera with Kevin Russell s Junker solo effort for Gourd s Kevin Russell Buttermilk amp Rifles 2002 Other Recordings edit Arkansas Traveler Michelle Shocked 1991 guitar Rocking Horse Head Steve Forbert 1996 banjo Dobro fiddle mandolin Soulages Lazy Sunday Dream 2001 banjo background vocals The Palace at 4 a m Part I Jay Bennett amp Edward Burch 2002 banjo References edit The New York Times The New York Times Austin News Events Restaurants Music the Austin Chronicle External links editOfficial biography of The Gourds Max Johnston at AllMusic Max Johnston interview 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Max Johnston musician amp oldid 1086089795, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
