Johnny Hiland | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | January 18, 1975 Woodland, Maine, U.S. |
| Genres | Country, rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, session guitarist, clinician, guitar instructor |
| Years active | 1996-present |
| Labels | Favored Nations, Shrapnel, Independent, Provogue |
| Website | johnnyhiland.net |
Johnny Hiland is a legally blind American musician/guitarist.[1]
Hiland grew up in Maine, with an eye disease called nystagmus. He started playing guitar at age 2, played his first talent show at age 5, performed on Dick Stacey's Jamboree on local TV at age 7, and won Talent America at age 10, with sister Jodi and brother Jerry, "The 3 J's," playing bluegrass country. The 3 J's broke up when Johnny turned 15, due to his voice changing. Having picked up electric guitar at the age of 12, Johnny left bluegrass, and started playing country, rock, and blues.[2]
In 1996, Hiland moved to Nashville and worked as a session musician for country artists including Toby Keith, Ricky Skaggs, Janie Fricke, and Hank Williams III. Meanwhile, he played with the Don Kelley Band at Robert's Western World. Hiland signed with Steve Vai's Favored Nations label as a solo artist.
