Buck Johnson (musician) explained

Background:person
Buck Johnson
Landscape:yes
Birth Name:Burleigh Johnson
Birth Place:Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Years Active:2005–present
Past Member Of:Whiskey Falls

Burleigh "Buck" Johnson is an American musician performing as keyboardist, backing vocalist and acoustic guitarist with the rock band Aerosmith,[1] Hollywood Vampires (Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper, Joe Perry), Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry. He was co-vocalist, co-guitarist and keyboardist for the country music group Whiskey Falls (Midas Records). Johnson released his self-titled album in 2016 on Spectra Music Group and tours with his band as a solo artist. He has had songs placed in television, film and recorded by other artists including "Just Feel Better" by Carlos Santana, featuring Steven Tyler on lead vocals.[2]

Biography

Johnson was raised outside of Birmingham, Alabama, in a town called Shady Grove. He began performing at an early age, singing gospel music with his family throughout the South. While attending Birmingham-Southern College, Buck met his wife, Kym, and they relocated to Los Angeles, California.

In Los Angeles, Johnson toured and recorded with such acts as The Doobie Brothers, Chris Stills, Tal Bachman, John Waite, Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullins, The Thorns, and Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles). He has worked as a songwriting collaborator, session vocalist and musician with songwriter/producers Jamie Houston (Carlos Santana, Jon McLaughlan) and Charlie Midnight (The Doobie Brothers).[3]

As a songwriter, Johnson co-wrote the song "Just Feel Better" with Jamie Houston and Damon Johnson for Carlos Santana on his 2005 album All That I Am, featuring Steven Tyler on lead vocals.

In 2006, Buck joined the country rock band Whiskey Falls as a principal songwriter, co-vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Whiskey Falls released their self-titled album on Midas Records in 2007, earning two Country Top 40 hit singles, "Last Train Running" and "Falling Into You."[4]

In 2014, Johnson was asked to join Aerosmith on their European and North American tours on keyboard, acoustic guitarist and backing vocals. Of Johnson's inclusion into the band, Steven Tyler commented, "Buck Johnson came in out of the blue and purely by chance to our Aerosmith family, and we feel we really won the lottery. Big. Turns out he's much, much more than just a guy to sing harmony with. He plays slammin' guitar and is out of this world on anything keys. He's a true all-around talent, a huge asset to me and Aerosmith and also a great human being and friend."[5] [6]

In 2016, Johnson was asked to play keyboards and sing backing vocals on the Whitford-St. Holmes album, Reunion (2016). The group toured that year, opening for British hard rock band Whitesnake.

Johnson recorded keyboards on Joe Perry's album Sweetzerland Manifesto (2018), and continues to actively tour with Perry, Hollywood Vampires, and Aerosmith as keyboardist, acoustic guitarist and backing vocalist.[7] [8] Johnson has toured with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band substituting Edgar Winter during 2024.[9]

Solo Albums & Singles

!Year!Album / Track!Artist!Label!Credits
2016Enjoying The RideBuck JohnsonSpectra Music GroupArtist, Composer, Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Organ, Co-Producer and Engineer
[10]

Guest appearances

!Year!Album / Track!Artist!Label!Credits
2023RoadAlice CooperearMusicKeyboards
2019RiseHollywood VampiresearMusicKeyboards, Piano, Vocals, Harpsichord, Acoustic Guitar
2018Sweetzerland ManifestoJoe PerryKeyboards
2016ReunionWhitford-St.HolmesMailboat RecordsKeyboards, Backing Vocals
2015Rocks Donington 2015 (LIVE DVD/CD)AerosmithKeyboards, Backing Vocals
2009"You Came Along" (featured in Lifetime Network movie "Flying By")Billy Ray CyrusComposer, Producer
2007Whiskey FallsWhiskey FallsMidas RecordsComposer, Keyboards, Vocals, Producer
2007, 2005"Just Feel Better"Carlos SantanaAristaComposer
2007IndianaJon McLaughlanIslandB-3 Organ, Backing Vocals
2007High School Musical 2-DisneyKeyboards
2007-DisneyKeyboards, Programming
2007Everlife

"Daring To Be Different"

-DisneyKeys, String Arrangements
2006High School Musical-DisneyKeyboards, Programming, String Arrangements
2006, 2005"Pop Star"Aaron CarterJive Records, Madacy RecordsKeyboards, Backing Vocals
2003"One Better"Aaron CarterJive RecordsKeyboards, Backing Vocals
2003The Flash ExpressThe Flash ExpressHit It Now RecordsOrgan
2003The Cheetah Girls-DisneyKeyboards
2002"All I Want For Christmas" (Classic Rock Christmas)John WaiteSanctuary RecordsKeyboards
2002"Over Easy"O-TownJ RecordsKeyboards
2000Time Capsule-Best of Matthew SweetMatthew SweetVolcano 3Organ
2000Dirty Velvet LieLaura SatterfieldKeyboards
2000Stories From The BluebusJill CohnKeyboards
1999Tal BachmanTal BachmanColumbia RecordsKeyboards, Backing Vocals
1996Rockin' Down The Highway: The Wildlife ConcertThe Doobie BrothersSonyBacking vocals

Notes and References

  1. News: Touring with Aerosmith, new solo CD have Alabama's Buck Johnson living rock-star dream - Alabama NewsCenter. July 8, 2016. Alabama NewsCenter. October 15, 2018. en-US.
  2. News: Aerosmith's secret weapon: Alabama native on tour with rock legends. AL.com. October 15, 2018. en-US.
  3. Web site: We3Kings Music - Song Writing, Music Production, Artist & Brand Development. we3kings.com. October 15, 2018.
  4. News: Touring with Aerosmith, new solo CD have Alabama's Buck Johnson living rock-star dream - Alabama NewsCenter. July 8, 2016. Alabama NewsCenter. July 12, 2018. en-US.
  5. News: Aerosmith's secret weapon: Alabama native on tour with rock legends. AL.com. July 12, 2018. en-US.
  6. News: Aerosmith Still Living on the Edge at the Forum: Concert Review. The Hollywood Reporter. July 12, 2018. en.
  7. News: Hollywood Vampires unveil band line-up for UK tour. Planet Rock. October 15, 2018. en.
  8. Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper & Joe Perry Take Fans Behind the Scenes of Hollywood Vampires Tour: Watch. Billboard. October 15, 2018.
  9. News: Ringo Starr supera todas las adversidades y cumple su cita en México. LA Times. June 6, 2024. espanish.
  10. Web site: Buck Johnson Credits AllMusic. AllMusic. July 12, 2018.