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BAND OVERVIEW

JOHNNY WEBB is a fantastic Country Music entertainer from Franklin, NC accompanied by four exceptionally accomplished fellow-musicians from Macon and Jackson County. Combining the experience of all five of these local men, they have accumulated around 205 years of performing experience and have several recordings under their belt. They've performed collectively and separately with other groups at various functions, country clubs, night-clubs, universities and campgrounds both in and out of this area - T.C. performed overseas in Hawaii while in the U.S.M.C. The music of JOHNNY WEBB and The J.W. BAND has come to be recognized as some of the best country music in Western North Carolina. Only a couple of years ago, they were the opening band for the Jess McIntyre band (Reba McIntyre's brother) in Cherokee. Their laid-back yet seasoned style and professional performances have given their audiences a truly exceptional musical experience with a down-home flavor and a line-up of country music songs - both new and old - that is hard to beat. Their versatility and song selections span over 50 years of music, and they are constantly updating their repertoire of songs.

(We will post that list at some point in the future)

JOHNNY

Johnny, the Lead Vocalist and band leader, plays the rhythm guitar. He grew up in the Highlands area and started playing music in 1957. Johnny has the following recordings to his credit: "Looking Back" and "Bridging The Gap" (two recent albums with THE J. W. BAND). Johnny previously performed in Wayne Kemp's band. His favorite country music performers are George Jones, Gene Watson, George Strait, Alan Jackson and Travis Tritt. His favorite songs include HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY; FAREWELL PARTY; ANYMORE; IF I HAD YOU; and CLEAR BLUE SKY. It's pretty obvious to understand why his favorite kinds of Music are Country, Country Gospel and Rhythm and Blues! If you close your eyes while Johnny sings, you just might imagine that George Jones, or any of a number of other famous performers are on-stage - or "In the house!".

MICKEY

Mickey began playing music around 1960, and currently plays Lead Guitar with the group. It is always interesting to see the band, because Mickey typically brings at least two guitars to a performance, and it is seldom the same two! He has a collection that is inspiring to all musicians. He is known for his exceptional style of playing the guitar - a style that combines many styles and cannot be described, but must be experienced. In addition to playing lead and rhythm guitar, Mickey also sings an occasional lead in a song and backs up Johnny with harmony. In addition to performing on the bands two albums above, Mickey's guitar can also be heard on the following recordings: "He's Got You" & "Drip-Drop"; "Please Leave Us Alone" & "I Never Loved Anybody" and "Look Out For The Streaker" & "It's Hard To Love One Man" (all three were 45RPM records with THE FLUID OUNCES) and "Picked Green" (LP with THE FLUID OUNCES). Some of Mickey's favorite artists include Chet Atkins, Roy Buchanan, The Ventures, B.B. King and Carlos Santana. He notes that Chet Atkins and Merle Travis have inspired his involvement in music, and says that he currently prefers Country, Light Rock and The Blues. A new artist named Jonny Lang has also begun to have impact on Mickey's playing style. Before joining JOHNNY WEBB and The J.W. BAND, Mickey had performed with a number of bands, such as The Mark IV Band, The Mark V Band, The Fluid Ounces, The Brother - Brother Band, IMPACT and Deep South. He has also either performed on the same booking with, or has backed up Johnny Paycheck, The Embers, Spider Turner and smiles when he mentions that he performed for Miss Universe once at The High Hampton Inn.

SKIP

Skip began playing the guitar around 1960, performing both lead and rhythm parts. In 1966, he switched to Bass Guitar when he met the band that Mickey was in, and they needed a bass player. He now prefers a 5-String Bass in his performances, and has eight different bass guitars that he plays (Not all at once - DUH!). Like Mickey, he usually takes two to each performance. He also sings back-up vocal harmony for the band. Over the years, he has been a member in a number of other bands, including The Xenials, The Fluid Ounces, Tom & Skip, Litefoot, D.J. and The Family Jewels, TAZZ, Tequila Sunrise and The Bluestone Band, and worked briefly on a stage crew for Johnny Paycheck, Gatemouth Brown, Delbert McClinton and Mike Cross. He has also played brief "fill-in" stints with IMPACT and CROSSFIRE and has shared billing with The Bill Lyerly Band numerous times (he and Bill lived in the same town and were pals back in the 70's and 80's - Bill now has 6 Albums to his credit.). In 1997 he sat in with "Big Al Carson and The Blues Masters" on Bourbon Street at The Funky Pirate while on a trip to New Orleans. In addition to performing on the J.W. Bands two recent albums, Skip played bass on "He's Got You" & "Drip-Drop"; "Please Leave Us Alone" & "I Never Loved Anybody" with THE FLUID OUNCES, and laid down the bass lines for a recent Christmas album by "The WONDERTONES". His music was first influenced by the Broadway Music that his mother played at home when he was very young. Later, he recalls listening to Sunday morning Gospel music on the radio, paying particular attention to the bass lines, and in his pre-teen and early teen-age years went to sleep almost every night listening to "Randy's Record Mart" on WLAC A.M. radio out of Gallatin, Tennessee. ( Check out a Tribute Page reflecting the history of that station. ) When he picked up the guitar, the music of Chet Atkins, Duane Eddy, and The Ventures caught his attention. He has many favorite artists, including The Moody Blues, Carlos Santana, Leo Kottke, ZZ Top, B.B. King and Jonny Lang. As to the kind of music that Skip prefers, he replies "Anything but Rap and Metallica!"