ABOUT JOHNNY IRION

Johnny Irion Piano

Johnny Irion is the curator of Blackwing Music. His career is steeped in authentic American punk & roots music, a heritage he embraced wholeheartedly before and after his 22-year marriage to Sarah Lee Guthrie. Collaborating with legends like Pete Seeger, Jeff Bridges, Wilco, Dawes, and The Mother Hips has been instrumental in shaping Johnny's musical journey. In 2018, Johnny captivated audiences with his acclaimed solo album "Driving Friend," earning a stellar 4-star review in MOJO Magazine and gaining recognition in esteemed publications & news outlets like Rolling Stone and NPR. Notably, Jackson Browne invited Johnny to perform his song "Hard Working People" in Washington, DC, the album's tracks found a place on various playlists, underscoring the enduring appeal of his music.

Johnny's eclectic performances have graced prestigious stages across the globe, from The Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall to The Fillmore, while his presence at renowned folk festivals like Winnipeg, Newport, and Byron Bay solidifies his status as a standout in the folk scene. Beyond his musical endeavors, Johnny has appeared in iconic TV moments like Twin Peaks alongside Sharon Van Etten, The Movie Ghost World, The Job, and the upcoming short film "Louie." His music has also made notable appearances on shows such as Astronaut Wives Club and Archer, as well as in the film Empire Records. Additionally, Johnny's musical talent extends to the commercial realm, creating music for brands like Ancestry and California Almonds.

Hailing from Columbia, SC, Johnny's musical roots run deep, influenced by the melodic tunes of his grandfather, a singer-pizzaiolo and first-generation American. His journey began in his teens, where he honed his skills in the band Queen Sarah Saturday with friend and drummer Zeke Hutchins (known for work with Leon Bridges, Maggie Rogers, and Sharon Van Etten), and Ryan Pickett, who later became a front-of-house engineer for My Morning Jacket. Signed to Sony Music in 1994, the band laid the groundwork for Johnny to craft a distinct musical voice that shines through in his solo career, marking him as a standout talent with a rich tapestry of experiences and influences.

Johnny has been seen on stages around the world such as Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Newport Folk Festival, the Winnipeg Folk festival, Royce Hall, and the Byron Bay Blues Festival.

In addition to his music Johnny has appeared in Twin Peaks, Ghost World, The Job & The new indie Short LOUIE. His songs have also been heard in shows such as, Astronaut Wives Club, Archer & Empire Records.

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Irion grew up in the restaurant business hearing the sweet songs of his grandfather, a singer-pizzaiolo and first-generation American who crooned as he cooked. As a teen, he cut his teeth on bass in a punk group with Zeke Hutchins (Sharon Van Etten, Leon Bridges) before going on to develop a unique voice all his own.

Album cover with a tent and animals under a starry sky, featuring the text 'Johnny Irion' and 'Sleeping Soldiers of Love'.

About "Sleeping Soldiers of Love"

Johnny Irion’s fourth studio album Sleeping Soldiers of Love was co-written with John Goodwin, mixed by Patrick Sansone and features an all-star cast of players including Jeff Bridges, Mike Mills of REM, and many others. Rolling Stone said the album “unfolds like a long drive through lush green mountains.”

About "Driving Friend"

Now and then in American culture, the written word fuses the worlds of music and literature. Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize is only the most obvious example. An individual singer songwriter can sometimes embody that fusion in his life and work. That’s Johnny Irion, whose family tree includes John Steinbeck and Woody Guthrie, and whose new record Driving Friend was backed by Blackwing, the artisan pencil makers with a diverse musical heritage. The record, which includes members of Dawes, Wilco and the Mother Hips, ranges across a wide expanse of roots genres, from blues and gospel to folk and country. Everything about it feels authentically crafted, a carving out of raw, lived American experience that goes to the heart of the Blackwing ethos. Whether Irion is singing about Santa Barbara, Pittsfield or the Rapture, his sharp wit, telling description and brief character studies take us to a musical hometown of his own, quite a feat for a rocker whose last record with his band US Elevator was hailed by Rolling Stone as being as “lovingly handcrafted as the jeans on the back of After The Gold Rush.”

Album cover with a tent and animals under a starry sky, featuring the text 'Johnny Irion' and 'Sleeping Soldiers of Love'.

Johnny Irion & The Blackwing Foundation

Johnny is also an esteemed partner of Blackwing Foundation, connecting the foundation to another remarkable partnership with The Mastheads. The Mastheads, known for their exceptional Fireside poets program, have been conducting poetry lessons for students in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, nurturing their artistic expression and literary skills. Taking this transformative experience to the next level, Johnny Irion steps in to turn their heartfelt poetry into captivating songs. Johnny's expertise in songwriting and composition brings a unique dimension to the students' creative journey. With his guidance, they learn the art of crafting melodies, lyrics, and musical arrangements, transforming their poetry into soulful songs that resonate with their communities . The culmination of this incredible partnership is a community event where the students proudly perform their songs at a local park. Witnessing the transformation of their words into melodies and sharing their art with the community is a testament to the power of arts education in shaping lives.