Biography
Since dropping out of college in 2007, Jacob Johnson has journeyed across the country in six minivans (so far), captivating audiences with his highly caffeinated brand of acoustic guitar playing. Known for his energetic performances, Jacob has had the privilege of sharing the stage with Grammy winners like Tommy Emmanuel, and Victor Wooten, as well as esteemed musicians including Phil Keaggy, Marcus King, and Tim Reynolds.
Beyond his guitar prowess, Jacob has proven himself as a talented songwriter, garnering recognition as the Don Gibson Songwriter Award Grand Prize Winner, Nashville Connection Songwriter of the Year, and a Finalist for the Freshgrass No Depression Songwriter Award. His ability to craft captivating and heartfelt songs has earned him performances at prestigious music festivals such as the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in New York, the Walnut Valley Festival in Kansas, the Wildflower Music Festival in Texas, and countless others.
Jacob currently resides in Greenville, SC with his wife Jessica. In addition to his busy touring schedule, Jacob is an adjunct guitar faculty member at North Greenville University. Yes, that is the college he dropped out of.
Jacob Johnson performs with Tommy Emmanuel at TD Stage in Greenville SC, August 2021. Photo by Jan Anderson
Quotes/Blurbs
"Jacob rocks!"
-Tommy Emmanuel
"Brilliantly done!! Wow!
- John Popper (Blues Traveler)
"The audience was really into your show! …You are a remarkable performer."
- Phil Keaggy
"Jacob’s album “One-Take Jake” is filled with crystalline, pyrotechnical guitar playing but he has infused his performance with personality.It runs right down his arms into his fingers, onto the strings -- missing not a grain of warmth and meticulous guitar-spirit. The guitar is not just an instrument in the hands of Jacob Johnson – it’s his soul-mate."
- No Depression
"Johnson sounds like Norman Rockwell paintings and the open road. He is a virtuoso, expressing a working comprehension of dozens of techniques and styles. He has blended and blurred the lines of genres to craft a sound he calls 'Neo-Acoustic Folk/Funk'."
- The Florence Morning News (Florence, SC)
"Jacob is a great performer who has a way with words that will cause even the most curmudgeonly person to grin. The world needs more talent like this."
- Mossip Music Blog
“He's all over the place. Influenced by technical masters like Pat Metheny and fellow southerner Kaki King, he has developed an approach that requires tight coordination of both hands as he slaps and taps the neck of his instrument."-
The Gazette (Rockville, MD)
"He surrenders to the passion that drives his guitar playing... Very entertaining and inspiring."
- Maine Music Blog
"Part of the new breed of folk musicians who make their own rules"
-The Savannah Morning News (Savannah, GA)