(Austin, TX) – March 4, 2020 – The Austin, TX based prolific guitarist, vocalist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist – ERIC JOHNSON – is set to release his 11th studio album, EJ Vol II, this Friday, March 6, 2020. Premiering today, the video for his new single “Waterwheel,” via PARADE Magazine
With “Waterwheel,” JOHNSON captures personal feelings about the gift of the flow of the spirit and synchronicity of all things under the universe in creation, utilizing the water wheel or an old paddle wheel that turns in water as the metaphorical symbolism. As Eric describes, “Waterwheel is a song I wrote as a metaphor for acknowledging and trusting intuition that helps guide us from within, allowing us to be more in sync with our inner poise and wellbeing.”
EJ Vol II follows its predecessor from 2016 which was simply EJ, an all-acoustic collection of songs which showcased nine original compositions and four covers. JOHNSON’s approach was deeply honest, intimate, personal and delivered with organic emotion. With EJ Vol II, he combines electric and acoustic arrangements and once again represents a collection of originals with a couple of select covers.
Also released this year, a new Fender Stratocaster as a part of their “Stories Collection” (modeled after an instrument JOHNSON frequently used early in his career). This model will be his fourth in the Fender collection of signature Johnson guitars. Photos available upon request.
Among JOHNSON ‘s many accolades are a Grammy award for “Cliffs of Dover ” (a track from his Platinum certified Ah Via Musicom), lifetime induction into the Guitar Player Gallery of Greats, his listing among the “100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century” by Musician. In his hometown of Austin TX, a city full of guitarists, the readers of the Austin Chronicle have voted ERIC JOHNSON the city’s “Best Electric Guitarist” and “Best Acoustic Guitarist” in their yearly poll year after year. They also named him “Electric Guitarist of the Decade” and one of the top five “Musicians of the Decade”.
JOHNSON launched a 55-date tour on January 3rd and is set to wrap up on March 29th, hitting every major city across the U.S. in addition to a show in Toronto, Canada, as well. The 2020 tour titled “Classics: Present and Past” features EJ Vol. II alongside selections from his prolific career. The EJ touring band features Roscoe Beck on bass (Leonard Cohen, Robben Ford, Dixie Chicks), Tom Brechtlein on drums (Kenny Loggins, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Robben Ford), and on keyboards + second guitar, Dave Scher (a rising star from the Austin music scene).
Eric Johnson on “Classics – Present and Past” Tour:
March 4 Warehouse Fairfield, CT
March 5 Swyer Theatre Albany, NY
March 6 The Fillmore – Silver Spring Silver Spring, MD
March 7 Sellersville Theater Sellersville, PA
March 9 Kent Stage Kent, OH
March 11 Center Stage Atlanta, GA
March 12 Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
March 13 Broward PAC – Amaturo Theatre Ft. Lauderdale, FL
March 14 House of Blues Lake Buena Vista, FL
March 15 Capitol Theatre Clearwater, FL
March 17 Vinyl Music Hall Pensacola, FL
March 18 Civic Theatre New Orleans, LA
March 19 Minglewood Hall Memphis, TN
March 20 Songbird Chattanooga, TN
March 21 City Winery Nashville, TN
March 22 Jackson Terminal Knoxville, TN
March 23 Jefferson Theater Charlottesville, VA
March 25 Mercury Ballroom Louisville, KY
March 26 Fletcher Opera Theater Raleigh, NC
March 27 Diana Wortham Theatre Asheville, NC
March 28 House of Blues North Myrtle Beach, SC
March 29 McGlohon Theater @Spirit Square Charlotte, NC