Johnny Mosier
Johnny Mosier, guitarist and entertainer for over 30 years, brings his switch-hitting guitar style to the stage with the Mosier Brothers Band. He spends an equal amount of time playing acoustic and electric guitar and his playing represents a unique blend of bluegrass, swing, jazz, blues, and rock.
The younger of the two brothers, Johnny took an interest in guitar at the early age of 8 after his Grandmother, Mabel Hayes, patiently showed him how to play the song “The Wildwood Flower”. Once she realized he was seriously interested in playing, she gave him a guitar and amplifier. It was a 1960’s Silvertone sunburst hollow body guitar with a matching Silvertone amp. Johnny took a short series of lessons at a local music store and gave them up when his teacher insisted he slow down and stick to learning “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.
The next adventure began when Johnny discovered bass guitar. He acquired a Fender Coronado V hollow body bass and for the next few years it was all bass guitar. Johnny began played bass in several bands with fellow musicians at school and at church. Later he acquired a Gibson Ripper solid maple bass and a Stage 50 bass amp. Many hours were spend playing along with rock, blues, gospel records, and in local Christian rock bands.
In the late 70’s, Johnny also began playing bluegrass music with a focus on flatpicking acoustic guitar. The great guitarist Tony Rice was a huge influence on Johnny and hours were spent learning fiddle tunes on a Martin guitar. Digesting all of the tapes and tablature that he could find on the subject, the study of bluegrass flatpicking became a lifelong challenge that has never ended. While still in high school, Johnny began playing bluegrass music with his brother Jeff who had since started playing banjo. The two brothers played at church, coffee houses, the streets of Chicago, and any other gig they could book. They formed the band “Good Medicine” and enjoyed many years of fun and success playing traditional bluegrass. Johnny and Jeff also hosted a weekly bluegrass radio show on WRFG in Atlanta, Georgia called “Born in a Barn. While bluegrass was the primary focus of Johnny’s career, he has also enjoyed performing an assortment of musical styles with other well know artists around Atlanta.
In 1998 Jeff had the ingenious idea to form the band “Blueground Undergrass” (BGUG). Johnny joined in on guitar and found that both electric and acoustic guitar were needed to support the overall sound of the band. BGUG became a national touring act and the group bused its way across America and eventually garnered a loyal fan base. Playing festivals and clubs for many years, BGUG eventually developed a career that any professional musician would enjoy and cherish. BGUG afforded the opportunity for the band and its various members to play along with some of their musical heroes. This list for Johnny includes Vassar Clemens, Peter Rowan, Col. Bruce Hampton, Warren Haynes, Grant Green Jr., Buddy Miles, Otiel Burbridge, Jeff Sipe, Jimmy Herring and Darrel Anger to name a few. Johnny had the distinct privilege of being included on two tracks of the great Gov’t Mule 3 disk live collection, “Mulennium”.
After years of great fun and music, Blueground Undergrass disbanded. Nearly 12 years from the day that they started BGUG played its last show. It was in Tallahassee, Fl at the infamous Bradfordsville Blues Club on 1/20/2010. At this time, the Mosier Brothers decided to continue on doing what they do best, The Mosier Brothers.
The Mosier Brothers band now offers a fresh sound that encompasses years of musical open mindedness and quality entertainment experience. “On My Way”, the first CD offering from The Mosier Brothers, showcases Johnny’s talents on both acoustic and electric guitars. He is looking forward to what the future holds in terms of great music and priceless memories.
