Based out of Los Angeles, CA, Johnny Hawthorn has been amplifying his reputation as a world class guitar player and songwriter. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, he came to Hollywood as an eager player and immersed himself in the music scene.

Hitting the bar, club and backyard party circuit and with his versatility on guitar, lapsteel and mandolin he became the “hired gun” in town and  has played for numerous local and national bands.

The first CD titled “Johnny Hawthorn Band” (released in 2006) was well received and the instrumental song “Cream” still receives substantial rotation on internet and satellite radio. Mike Varney from Guitar Player Magazine wrote: “Hawthorn is a gifted player on all fronts, with phasing reminiscent of Clapton and Hendrix…”

The 2nd CD Death & Taxes, received 2009’s Recommended CD’s from “American Music” (Belgium). Blues Matters (UK) magazine wrote, “As a guitar player he can be awesome, whether in out-and-out country mode or playing full throttle blues rock.”

Touring with acts as a hired guitar player and recording (Toad the Wet Sprocket, Everclear, Grant Langston, Nicole Gordon, Shane Alexander, Quenby & the West of Wayland Band, Debby Holiday), Hawthorn has also written and produced songs for other upcoming artists and placed original songs on NBC, CBS, HBO, MTV, THE HISTORY CHANNEL and FOX.

Rounding out the band is:

Hampton Flanagan (drums) – Trailer Park Casanovas, King Rats, Dale Peterson.
Michael Sunday (bass) – Peter Tork (The Monkees) & Bugsy Wilcox(Marvin Gaye).

Press

Hawthorn is a gifted player on all fronts, with phrasing reminiscent of Clapton and Hendrix… — Guitar Player Magazine

As a guitar player, he can be awesome, whether in out-and-out country mode (as on ‘Loser’s Game’, with his wistful lap steel playing) or playing full-throttle Blues-rock. — Blues Matters magazine

‘Death and Taxes’ recalls the early Rolling Stones, with its punky, Bluesy energy and wailing harp in the background – though the guitar break is more inventive than anything the Stones ever came up with! — Blues Matters magazine

From the tautly snapped riff that opens ‘Walden’s Pond’ Los Angeles-based Johnny Hawthorn is at his best when slinging a rocking, relentlessly funky style of blues that pulls from G. Love and Stevie-Ray Vaughan, a combination that climaxes during the band’s rendition of Earl King’s ‘Come On’. — Living Blues magazine

Hawthorn is a gifted player on all fronts, with phrasing reminiscent of Clapton and Hendrix, and his recordings range from Texas shuffles to classic rock in the tradition of the Black Crowes and Tom Petty. — Guitar Player Magazine

The roots music on ‘Death & Taxes’ is so diverse that it is a bit limiting to call it a blues record, but on the other hand it is the best way to describe the music. Johnny Hawthorn knows his classics and benefits a lot from this wisdom! He is a true master at creating a unique mix of roots and blues topped with a lot of his own ingenuity. A truly remarkable album! — Billy Bop