Mike Johnston Band News

Next Single 04/28

The next single from the MJB album Country, Rock & Blues will arrive on April 28, 2025. "I Remember Texas" is sure to be a hit in the country rock world, but fans of the MJB will be able to get a sneak preview soon.

Stay tuned and thanks for your support!

Mike Johnston Band

American Rock & Roll Returns!

The Mike Johnston Band (MJB) is an American rock band with blues, classic southern rock and country influences. MJB shows are a dynamic experience for the audience as each night is a unique musical interpretation. Mike Johnston's solo or duo live shows (with guitarist Benji Nilson) are never the same twice.

Scroll down to find a date near you and catch a show! You won't be disappointed!

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About Mike Johnston

American Music Man

Mike is a singer-song writer, composer and performer based in the Northwest United States. Mike performs throughout Montana, Idaho, Texas and California as a solo artist and with the Mike Johnston Band. Mike's solo shows capture a unique blend of powerful vocals and singer/ song-writer spirit. Mike Johnston Band is a return to American country and blues based southern-style rock! His live shows whether solo or with MJB are never the same twice.

Mike's first album "This Is Our Love Story" was recorded in Idaho and is available on all streaming services. The album features "Maybe It's The Wine," "Pull Over," "Dolly," and other fan favorites. Mike's 2nd album Mike Johnston Band "Country, Rock & Blues" is in post production at Hinge Studios in Boise, ID. Singles "Little Black Dress", "Lonesome Highway Waltz', and "I'm Coming Home are available for preview here, and on all steaming platforms!

Join us this Saturday, March 22 at 8 PM @bigmicskuna for the Return of American Rock & Roll with the Mike Johnston Band! @benji_nil, @chiefblue_official and @bree_livia will be rocking the Treasure Valley with some powerhouse vocals, blistering guitar, funky bass and banging drums! Don’t miss this country, rock and blues musical odyssey! As always @mikejohnstonband is never the same show twice! @whats_happening208

On March 22nd @bigmicskuna American Rock & Roll returns to Idaho. Mike Johnston Band is an original Southern rock, blues and country influenced group which showcases powerhouse vocals, blistering lead guitar, heavy rhythm and bass riffs all held together by a dynamic back-beat. MJB is comprised of talented musicians and performers including @benji_nil, @chiefblue_official, @bree_livia and @mikejohnstonband. MJB is raw and real and never the same show twice!!

Little Black Dress is a boogie-woogie number so make sure you shake your money-maker! Click bio to link to Little Black Dress on Spotify. Please save and share! 😎

Here is a little rock & roll from Saturday night @oldstatesaloon. “Long Hard Ride” is an MJB original with a fun groove, powerful vocals, and blistering solos. Please enjoy responsibly! 🤣

Some dirty blues from last night @talontapandspirits. “Wishing Well Blues” is an homage to the old style blues I grew up singing. And @benji_nil was just born to play it! www.mikejohnstonband.com

The first two releases (Little Black Dress and Lonesome Highway Waltz ) from the Mike Johnston Band album Country, Rock & Blues are out on all streaming services! You may also purchase your own copy at www.mikejohnstonband.com. (Link in bio.) Remember one $3.00 purchase is equal to 1000 streams on Spotify. (Let’s shoot for both! 😎) The next release (I’m Coming Home) will be out on February 22! Please listen everywhere and often, please add to your favorite playlist and share with your friends and family! Thank you for your support! SEMPER FI! #usmc

“Lonesome Highway Waltz” drops on February 5th on all streaming services! The liner notes on this song are pretty wild regarding how and when I wrote it, and the recording process. @benji_nil multiple solos on this on build and build! This song definitely gets stuck in my head, I hope it gets stuck in yours too! February 5th at 12:00 AM on @spotify @applemusic @pandora @amazonmusic @tidal @youtubemusic and everywhere else. Early listening and purchase will be available later today at www.mikejohnstonband.com Listen, listen, listen! Share, share, share! And, thank you for supporting original independent musicians! ❤️🙏

Happy 8th birthday to man’s best friend, Violet! My little road dog and I are the same age this year. She is probably a little spoiled, but what princess shouldn’t be? #bluenosepitbull #VelvetViolet

I drove a snowmobile to this ridge and stopped. I was awestruck by the view in the 1st and 2nd picture. Inexplicably I had cell service so I open @siriusxm to @foxnews just in time to hear @carrieunderwood perform an a cappella version of America The Beautiful. It was so moving! I was overcome with a sense of pride and love for this great country. God was present and tears were shed. God Bless America! God Bless @realdonaldtrump !Semper Fi!

I wrote “Little Black Dress” one Sunday morning in 2020, on my deck in Cali. I opted not to put it on my first album because I knew it was a hip shaker, but I have been playing it live ever since. This is the original recording. (My 2nd album recording experiment from Nashville to LA failed miserably, but then I met @benji_nil @12thfretmusic and we got together @hinge_studio in Boise, ID. The rest is history! (Birth of Mike Johnston Band!) If you are an Idaho musician don’t waste your time in Nashville or LA. Make YOUR music right here in the Treasure Valley. LBD drops on January 13 and will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. #littleblackdtesssong You can get a sneak preview and buy a copy for your favorite playlist at www.mikejohnstonband.com Thank you for supporting independent original music!

“Little Black Dress” releases on 01/13/25! LBD is first single from the new Mike Johnston Band album “Country, Rock & Blues!” This performance is from last night @bigmicskuna. 3/4 of the MJB featured @benji_nil on lead guitar and @bree_livia on drums and of course @mikejohnstonband on rhythm guitar and vocals. #littleblackdresssong www.mikejohnstonband.com Thanks you for supporting independent artists playing original music during live performances!

January 13th will mark the long awaited release date of the debut single “Little Black Dress” from the upcoming Mike Johnston Band album, “Country, Rock & Blues.” I wrote LBD back in 2020, but didn’t include it on my first LP. This second album has been a journey from Nashville to LA to Idaho, where I finally found my sound at Hinge Studio with my guitar player and engineer, @benji_nil . “Little Black Dress” is a burner and definitely worth adding to your favorite playlist on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you stream! Download available on January 13! www.mikejohnstonband.com for booking!

Coming soon! The first single from the new @mikejohnstonband album will be the blues burner “Little Black Dress!” This is a live version from @oldstatesaloon. @benji_nil and I never play the songs the same as written because live performances are a feeling and a flow! Songs like humans evolve and mature, they grow. Playing live is the best interpretation of a song’s energy and poignance in the moment. Please stay tuned for the official release! www.mikejohnstonband.com

Monday night dinner! Short ribs, over mashed potatoes and baby broccoli with a red wine gravy. This was made with all organic, natural ingredients. Even the cabernet was organic! Your food can have flavor and you can still be healthy. The only thing I need to do now is grow my own vegetables and raise my own beef! www.mikejohnstonband.com And, I got a bad ass 7 QT. red Lodge Dutch oven!

The OG turquoise Dutch oven courtesy of the amazingly wonderful and beautiful @hurricane.k8te! This is all homemade using organic ingredients! Nothing processed! MAHA! Beef stew and Yorkshire pudding! 😋 This isn’t an everyday meal but it is a lovely treat! www.mikejohnstonband.com

We had a great time playing at the first Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Boise this past weekend. @msabcofboise put on a wonderful event with around 1200 folks turning out and a lot of money raised for the @americancancersociety. A big American Rock & Roll thanks from @mikejohnstonband to everyone that participated!

The All-Star @mikejohnstonband is getting ready for @msabcofboise event this Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 9:00. The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event will be at Julia Davis Park in Boise and MJB will be playing at the Gene Harris Band Shell. Thanks to @hinge_studio @benji_nil @darth_wade.r and Liam from @crushthemonster for joining in the fun! We will see you there for celebration and a wonderful cause! Please copy this link if you want to pitch in! 🙏🙏🙏. https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?fr_id=109252&pg=team&team_id=2781265

This song is shaping up to be epic! I wrote “To Love Again” a while back and I am so excited to have brought to life with @benji_nil. The song is about relationships and healing the divide no matter what the world throws at you. (I wrote this song specifically for my son and me, @themichaeljohnston, I love you boy!), but I hope it may speak to anyone. www.mikejohnstonband.com Please continue to support live original music!

Good time boogie-woogie with @benji_nil @talontapandspirits. #LittleBlackDressSong will be the first single from the new Mike Johnston Band album. Check us out this fall with Rob Ridgeway from @12thfretmusic on the bass. Thanks again for all of your support of live, local, original music! www.mikejohnstonband.com www.mikejohnstonmusic.com

I had a blast playing @talontapandspirits. The staff is wonderful and the fans are always kind! “Hey, Wild Girl” is a new song that will be on the next, next album. 🤣 please stay tuned for more information on upcoming full band shows. As always thank you all for your support of live, local, original music. #heywildgirlsong www.mikejohnstonband.com. @benji_nil @robert.homeseekers @hinge_studio @12thfretmusic

My prayers go out to those injured or killed while exercising the free expression of their God given rights. Those who thrive on fear and tyranny, can fuck right off. God bless President Trump, a true warrior for all Americans! @realdonaldtrump This is Rooster by Alice In Chains- whenever I cover this song I dedicate it to my fellow veterans. It seems 100% appropriate to dedicate this song to DJT! www.mikejohnstonmusic.com

Another original blues tune from @philipsburgbrew on Friday, which was enhanced by a hot, steamy harp blowing! “This Stone” will be on the new album which is being recorded @hinge_studio in Boise, ID with my producer and guitar man @benji_nil. Thank you all for supporting live, independent, original and local music! #thisstonesong @rayban @gibsoncustom @trueclassic @rattlesnakecables www.mikejohnstonmusic.com www.mikejohnstonband.com

I had a wonderful time playing outside @philipsburgbrew last night. I was joined by local harp man Andy Schiedermayer. I always thought “Little Back Dress” would be killer with a nasty harp. I was so right! #littleblackdresssong @rayban @gibsoncustom @trueclassic www.mikejohnstonmusic.com

This little dog can sleep anywhere! In the van, @hinge_studio, by a lake or in the woods. #VelverViolet #bluenosepitbull #VDBTR #MaybeItsTheWineSong www.mikejohnstonmusic.com

Live shows are the source! “Lonesome Highway Waltz” will be on the 2nd album which is being recorded @hinge_studio in Boise. @benji_nil is smoking leads and producing the album! Thanks to @rattlesnakecables and @bigmicskuna! Thanks to all for supporting live local original music! #LonesomeHighwayWaltz www.mikejohnstonband.com Look for full band dates coming soon!

“Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find: knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” ~ GNV 1599 Matthew 7:7. The summer solstice is here! Go outside and give thanks to God! (Make sure you take your dog with you!) #Godsland #VelvetViolet #PullOverSong www.mikejohnstonmusic.com

SUP adventures with Violet! #Godsland #nature #VelvetViolet #peace #PullOverSong www.mikejohnstonmusic.com

Chilling with Violet on Father’s Day. Chilling for real! It was cold up in them hills. #Godsland #VelvetViolet #PullOverSong www.mikejohnstonmusic.com

Happy Father’s Day to all the USMC brothers out there! Semper Fi! @fatback_spr @joeriddle #USMC #VelvetViolet #GuardianAngelSong @themichaeljohnston @hunterashleythomas www.mikejohnstonmusic.com

Spectacular views from a chilly 7200 feet of elevation lake. Happy Farther’s Day! @themichaeljohnston @hunterashleythomas #VelvetViolet #Godsland #SunKissedCheeksSong www.mikejohnstonmusic.com

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Next Single 04/28

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