NEWS
ALBUM REVIEW FROM “ALL ABOUT JAZZ”
Album Review by C. Michael Bailey at “All About Jazz”
Los Angeles-native Johnny Stachela may be a Southern Californian, but he is one tempered by the Allman Brothers Band and baptized in Southern-fried Dixie. Influenced by the music of the late ’60s and early ’70s, Stachela presents himself as his own artist on the present EP Walk Through Fire. Stachela updates the Southern Stomp of the ’70s with a practiced precision that incorporates all of the evolution in rock music since that time. Where The Black Crowes reminded us of how good the Rolling Stones were, Stachela assimilates the whole of the southern rock experience into a form that transcends what came before without forgetting it.
“WALK THROUGH FIRE” PRESS RELEASE
Blues-Rock Guitarist Johnny Stachela Releases Debut EP “Walk Through Fire”
Walk Through Fire,” the debut EP from Johnny Stachela, scorches its way through six searing tunes that combine virtuosic blues-rock musicianship with lyrical depth and clarity. It’s an exceptional musical brew: Dazzling melodies. Rich harmonies. Brutal honesty. And it’s intoxicating.
Stachela’s artful lead guitar sizzles with stunning mathematical complexity. The album consistently drives and pushes the music to insightful, urgent lyrical places. Like its opening track “Hard Rain,” the album pelts and stings, but is ultimately battened by a thick, blues-tinged hope. Read more >>
WALK THROUGH FIRE – EP RELEASE
WALK THROUGH FIRE, the 6-song EP from Johnny Stachela will be available on CD and in digital music stores worldwide on June 23. WALK THROUGH FIRE was recorded by analog engineer Steve Holroyd (AC/DC, BB King) and co-produced by Jorgen Carlsson (Gov’t Mule). Musicians that contributed to the album’s creation include Vincent Fossett Jr (drums), Sebastian Ciceri (bass), Jorgen Carlsson (bass), Jason Benfield (bass/backing vocals), T-bone Andersson (organ/piano), and Keith England (backing vocals). Buy Now>>
SHOWS
ABOUT
In 2018, Johnny Stachela and Duane Betts partnered with the Devon Allman Project as guests, supporting and sitting-in on a nine-month Allman/Betts World Tour, with stops at such iconic venues as NYC’s Beacon Theater and Colorado’s Red Rocks amphitheater. The European leg took Stachela to Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, UK and Germany. Additionally, he performed on the second single, “Downtown Runaround,” and subsequent video from Betts’ debut EP, Sketches of American Music.
Stachela joined The Allman Betts Band as a charter member- recording at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound studio- for their 2019 debut LP, Down to the River, and their 2020 follow-up, Bless Your Heart, touring internationally with the group, including dates in Europe and multiple summer festival stops. Subsequent tours with the ABB and the Allman Betts Family Revival have included appearances at New Orleans’ famed Jazz Festival, as well as overseas dates in Australia and Japan- at Byron Bay and Fuji Rock, respectively.
Among the myriad guest spots Stachela has made include jams with Little Feat, Gov’t Mule, and North Mississippi Allstars. With Betts, he’s also welcomed Derek Trucks and Mike Campbell (Tom Petty) for notable onstage collaborations. As a solo artist, Stachela joined the legendary Wet Willie on the band’s 2020 Rock Legends cruise. As well, in the spring of 2023, Stachela released the single, “County Farm Blues”, a cover of the 1930s Son House folk blues, across all digital platforms. He is slated to record further solo material estimated for release in 2025.
Additionally, Stachela contributed writing, performing, and production work for Betts’ second solo project. Recording sessions for the new effort commenced in Spring 2022 at Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi’s Swamp Raga Studio in Jacksonville, Florida. The resulting album, “Wild & Precious Life,” issued by Royal Potato Family records, arrived in the summer of 2023 to much critical acclaim, making several year-end “Best of” lists.
Stachela joined Betts as a founding member of his new band, Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel, embarking on an extensive U.S. tour including festival dates and headlining appearances, and a noteworthy night at the Grand Ole Opry. Touring in support of the LP continued throughout 2024. A follow-up LP is slated for 2025.
With his well-crafted style of bottleneck slide evoking favorable comparisons to his heroes- influenced and inspired, never imitating- Johnny Stachela has become one of the more highly respected guitarists in modern blues and rock.
MEDIA
County Farm Blues
by Johnny Stachela
Digital Album Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high quality download in MP3, FLAC, & more. Buy Now $5 USD
1. County Farm Blues
2. Firefly
3. Hard Rain
4. Handle It
released March 21, 2023