Mike Johnson? - Beautiful Steel

Jeff Bradshaw · Post by **Jeff Bradshaw** » 26 May 2012 11:42 am

I just listened to Willie Nelson's new album "Heroes", steel guitar dont get any better than that for me! I'm sure it is Mike Johnson? Just beautiful steel & music!!! thx. ..jeff

T. C. Furlong · Post by **T. C. Furlong** » 26 May 2012 4:23 pm

Hi Jeff,

Allmusic.com credits both Mike Johnson and Greg Leisz. Mike as Guitar (steel) and Greg as pedal steel .

TC

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 26 May 2012 6:47 pm

Jeff ; Do you have a cut from this CD which you can share with us, here on TSGF. Would love to hear it..Thanks for sharing..Bernie

Jeff Bradshaw · Post by **Jeff Bradshaw** » 26 May 2012 8:19 pm

TC, It's Mike johnson on pedal steel, i heard from him just a little bit ago. Maybe Greg is on it too, Mike didn't mention him though.
Bernie, I dont know how to post a track here...i bought the album from I-tunes $10.99...very much worth the cost. All the best. ..jeff

Al Miller · Post by **Al Miller** » 26 May 2012 9:04 pm

If it has Mike Johnson On it, It has To be good!!! he is the quintessential steel player of our time i just hope i spelled quintessential correct not to mention his soul and the Class he and his wife Jonie bring to our Music!!
Boo Miller

Bill Bailey · Post by **Bill Bailey** » 26 May 2012 9:36 pm

I just heard the song on the new Heroes album our radio station is playing titled "A Horse Named Music" and I was knocked out like I havent been for a long time on anything on the radio, Willie and Merle were singing their hearts out. At first I thought Mr Emmons was on it. Mike Johnson is among the very best out there IMHO. I plan to buy the album.

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 26 May 2012 11:10 pm

He's also playing on Gene Watson & Rhonda Vincent's recent collaboration. Some of the best steel playing I've heard in a very long time. Bold, tasteful, inventive (and loud!), just as it should be. Kudos!

Mike Johnson · Post by **Mike Johnson** » 27 May 2012 2:53 pm

I feel so blessed to be a part of Willie Nelson' HEROES CD.I played on all the cuts except the last one, which was done with another producer.

We spent 3 days at Willie's studio in Austin, having as much fun as possible with your clothes on. Basically it was a recorded jam session.Probably 98% of our part of the record was done with no fixes or punching in.Even though as always, there are some things we would have possibly liked to have another shot at,it had the feeling of a live performance. Cause it pretty much WAS live.I played through a Fender Deluxe, and with the reverb they used,my steel has a slight flavor of the 60's tone, which I thought was pretty cool.

Willie's son Lukas, who is very talented too, is on the record, so there are some contemporary cuts. But there is some really country stuff too. Like "COLD WAR WITH YOU", with Ray Price singing as good as he did in the 60's.Merle Haggard duets on the first cut A "HORSE CALLED MUSIC", singing his butt off.There are a couple of blazzing Swing Tunes on the record - it was just so much fun! Every one including Willie had a blast.

Not sure if it will ever be heard in the mainstream. But I am so thankful to get the chance to play with some of my real "Heroes of Country Music"

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 27 May 2012 3:44 pm

Mike, it may not get heard in the music main stream, but it will be on every steel guitarist's CD player simply because you're on it. I've never been a huge Willie fan, but I am a huge Mike Johnson fan.

Bill Bailey · Post by **Bill Bailey** » 27 May 2012 8:04 pm

Mike,
If our radio station, KGMN 102.9 FM is any hint of the air play you will recieve, you all will be heard everywhere, Kingman Arizona is a town everyone passes through sooner or later, and I am sure the truckers will see to it Willie and Heroes will be heard. I also love what you play on Country's family Reunion on RFD TV. I ordered Heroes from Amazon.com today.

Larry Waisner · Post by **Larry Waisner** » 28 May 2012 10:58 am

Mike you are a Class Act!
I admire you and your enormous talent. And with a gracious gentleman like yourself "The Sky is The Limit". We are blessed with your wonderful gift.
GOD Bless you and Jonie,
Larry Waisner

BOBBY JACKS · Post by **BOBBY JACKS** » 28 May 2012 2:40 pm

I Think Mike Johnson Is Setting the Bar VERY High For the rest of us Guys to reach I'm sure we may not reach it but boy will it be fun trying Thanks Mike for making us Woodshed that much Harder. BJ

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 11 Jun 2012 4:27 pm

[

Mike : Similair to Roger; I, too, have never been a huge Willie fan; Great news of you backing him on the " Heroes " CD. That fact alone will sell many CD's for Willie. I've got a copy ordered; can't wait to hear it. Also think you are the best choice for doing the Family Re-union show. Especially with your out-standing fill in with Rhonda Vincent. She surely loves you almost as much as I do[ your playing,[ that is ] Thanks for joining us here on the " Forum "..Cheers..Bernie

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 11 Jun 2012 4:37 pm

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Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 12 Jun 2012 8:31 am

Richard Sinkler wrote:If I didn't hate Willie so much, I would give it a listen. I love Mike's playing, but I know I can't tolerate Willie enough to listen all the way through. Does anyone know a good way to eliminate his vocals? That irritating guitar playing??

You forgot to mention his timing.

Rick Johnson · Post by **Rick Johnson** » 12 Jun 2012 8:56 am

I bought it and Willie's vocals aren't
too bad, not much of old Trigger either but
his son Lukas sings on it. I don't really
like his voice. Overall, Mikes playing
makes it worth it.

Rick

www.rickjohnsoncabinets.com

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 12 Jun 2012 9:45 am

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Wally Moyers · Post by **Wally Moyers** » 12 Jun 2012 10:47 am

Willie is the man as far as I am concerned... I'v been a fan since I was 9 years old... almost 50 years... I call his timing soul! "The last thing I needed the first thing this morning" one of the best country lines ever written... Add Mike's wonderful playing and Wow! Cant't wait to hear it...

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 12 Jun 2012 11:32 am

I think that Willie Nelson is terrific and a lot of other people must feel the same; just look at the millions that he has produced. I wish that I could sing that bad; shoot, I'd be driving a Lamborgini instead of this Toyota, ha. I'll bet that CD is fantastic.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 12 Jun 2012 2:26 pm

deleted

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 12 Jun 2012 2:27 pm

Sirius/XM, Willies Place channel is playing cuts from the CD. I was wondering who was doing the great steel licks.

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 12 Jun 2012 3:45 pm

Mike was that the Show-Pro, or Emmons on the album?

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 13 Jun 2012 2:27 am

"The last thing I needed the first thing this morning" one of the best country lines ever written...

Written by Karen Brooks

JERRY THURMOND · Post by **JERRY THURMOND** » 13 Jun 2012 5:12 am

Willie may not be for everybody, but I have became a fan of his way back in the 50's. He is one of the best things that happen to country music, I just love Mike's steel playing.

Jerry

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 13 Jun 2012 5:26 am

IMO, why say anything negative about any successful musician? Why not say positive things or nothing at all?

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