Mel Bay Chickin' Pickin' Vol. 1
Originally from Woodland, Maine, Johnny Hiland, age 27, is one of the most critically acclaimed young artists to stir legendary Lower Broadway in Nashville, the nation’s music city. Blending his unique hybrid style of blazing chicken pickin’ with influences set in country, rock and blues styles of the guitar heroes of his generation and those who came before, Hiland has established a major industry buzz. Johnny is currently completing his first solo album clearly identifying him as a major force in style and innovation. As an incredible live performer, session player, solo recording artist/songwriter, and master class instructor, Hiland has begun to leave his unmistakable mark on the sound of guitar.  From Hiland’s rehearsal and recording home at Pro Bono studios in downtown Nashville, a succession of recording and session dates with some of Nashville finest have begun to garner attention among top musicians worldwide. Appearing most recently as a session guitarist with Hank Williams III, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Vassar Clements, Hiland’s masterful, use of tone and dynamics can also be found on such diverse projects as the Nashville Predators hockey team theme song, “Stick it to Em Boys” (Warner Bros), the new Hiland audio instructional series, the Hiland instructional video series (recently released by Hot Licks Productions) and two Danny Gatton tracks recorded for the Line 6 website lesson program Additionally, work has begun on a Hiland country/gospel album and on the sound track for an animated television series with legendary manager, Bob Doyle (Garth Brooks).  Much to his credit, within his first few years in Nashville Hiland has performed as a solo artist twice on the famed Grand Ole’ Opry and twice as a solo artist at the Ryman Auditorium. Steve Buchanan, president of the Grand Ole’Opry said, “I have witnessed Johnny’s crowd pleasing talents on two occasions now. Each time Johnny showcased his stellar guitar abilities, much to the delight of our audiences.” Other notable performances include CMT’s “Most Wanted Live”, TNN’s “Music City Tonight” and onstage performances with renowned funk master, George Clinton and P-Funk, Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reed, Nashville ace guitarist Brent Mason and legendary singer/songwriter Steve Cropper. Additionally Hiland has interviewed and performed live on “Mainstream Drive” a national public radio show in Nashville and “Radio West” a national public radio show in Utah. As an educator, Hiland has taught master guitar classes and performed at top music education programs across the country to include GIT, AIM, and North Texas University among others.  Johnny’s accomplishments have earned widespread recognition from industry leaders including a host of guitar and related gear manufacturers, producers, performers, and media publications. Johnny is fully endorsed by Fender Musical Instruments. Fenders master builder, Jim DeCola, recently built Johnny’s custom shop telecaster bearing the Johnny Hiland name. Hiland also endorses Celestion Speakers, Visual Sound Pedals, Digitech effects, Levy’s Leathers, Pedal Pad and Ameritage cases.  Johnny’s solo recording and session work have brought praise from Grammy winning producer/engineer Bil VornDick and from legendary producer and session guitarist Louie Shelton. (Johnny wrote and performed an original instrumental for Shelton’s “Nashville Guitars” project). Guitar hero Steve Vai was quoted in a recent issue of Guitar Player saying, “I have never heard anyone in his genre of music play with such precession and virtuosity.”  Johnny Hiland stands on the brink of international recognition for his talents. Feature articles about Johnny have appeared in major industry publications such as Guitar Player, Tone Quest, Guitar One, Guitar Magazine (Japan), and the (Tennessean Sunday Supplement). A soon to be released feature article will appear in Vintage Guitar. Top manufacturers book Hiland appearances at major trade shows. Hiland ha