“Take the inventiveness of Bob Dylan, the melodic voice of John Denver, add the showmanship of Garrison Keillor … and that’s Michael Johnathon.” – Bob Spear – Publisher, HEARTLAND REVIEW
Among the throngs of artists in the music world, few have elevated “dreaming” to such a high art form as folksinger Michael Johnathon. He is a touring songwriter, author of five published books, playwright of the Walden Play performed in 42 countries, composer of the opera, Woody: For the People, organizer of the national association of front porch musicians called SongFarmers, the full symphony performances of SONGS OF RURAL AMERICA and as the creator and host of the live audience broadcast of the WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour with a radio audience with over two million listeners each week on 500 public radio stations, public television coast-to-coast, American Forces Radio Network in 173 nations and now on the RFD-TV Network nationwide (read the long form bio) Visit our websites: WoodSongs.comWaldenPlay.com WoodyGuthrieOpera.comSongFarmers.org
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To acknowledge the great work, life, music and influence of Pete & Toshi Seeger, I have begun to add the banjo to my signature. To read why click here
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The recording sessions for the new album THE PAINTER begin in October, for a February 2021 release. See updates click here
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BUY AN ORIGINAL PAINTING; “PATRON OF THE ARTS” INVITATION: be part of the limited audience at Michael’s log cabin near Lexington KY for the premier gallery showing of 20 original oil paintings as well as a concert presentation for songs of the upcoming album “The Painter.” For details and to see the artwork for sale (a fund raiser for WoodSongs) CLICK HERE
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WATCH the 4-minute video of the artwork:
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At a time of great unrest in America and around the world, with protests and riot, dismantling of symbols and statues of the past and the hurt they cause, see the dramatic and powerful message of The Statue music video CLICK HERE
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Order the new “Legacy” album and get the “Songs of Rural America” symphony CD for FREE … $20 post paid in the USA
LEGACY is an epic journey through the modern world of music, from Pete Seeger to the modern day collapse of the record industry. Songs on the album include a total remake of Dylan’s ROLLING STONE, a banjo version of BLUE SKIES, originals like THE COIN, WINTER ROSE, the beautiful RAIN and the 9-minute opus title song. Put on your seat belts and hear the LEGACY single:CLICK HERE
NEW! Get FIVE COMPLETE ALBUMS on one amazing bamboo USB Guitar drive, perfect for all devises. This contains the full album of songs to all five albums listed. Order today!
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ALL ORDERS: Send a check payable to PoetMan Records to PO Box 200, Lexington, KY 40588 … call with a credit card 859-255-5700 … or use the PayPal button below (send to radio@woodsongs.com)
ORDER NOW! 176-page book and full album, CLICK HERE
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Songs of Rural America – full album
Performed with The Ohio Valley Symphony as seen on national TV DETAILS CLICK HERE
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Available now
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KIDS! MOUSIE HIWAY: The Adventures of BANJO MOUSE IN Appalachia:Order the book and CD now that introduces bluegrass music and acoustic instruments to kids 3-12 years old. Fully illustrated with a story based on the song “Mousie HiWay” that takes kids on a musical journey through the Appalachian mountains as he forms the Mousie HiWay Band. To see the story, hear the song Mousie HiWay and pre-order information click here
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MOONFIRE The Banjo Album is a 23-song album dedicated to the long neck, open back banjo. Michael performs, produces and arranges all the songs … and writes most of them. From traditional epics like DARLIN CORY and EAST VIRGINIA BLUES to originals like COSMIC BANJO and the plaintive title song, this album is more than just a wonderful listen … it is a musical expose’ on the banjo completely reinvented. Click here for ordering and song samples
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PIRATE is not a “protest” album … it is a musical statement about our modern life, world, society and politics. The album is anchored by the epic ASSASSINS IN THE KINGDOM(track 2) This is a bold, dark, cryptic composition about War … think Dylan meets The Beatles meets Pink Floyd … an unusual recording composed in four movements in keeping with the ominous gothic spirit of the lyrics. AVAILABLE NOW as part of the 3-pak (see below)
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EVENING SONG … BANJO, GUITAR, MANDOLIN and string quartets: Evening Song is a concept album, all songs celebrating the falling of the sun, the majesty of night and the mystery of darkness. Tracks include In The Evening (track 1) is the Leroy Carr classic performed on long neck banjo with cello master Ben Sollee dobro master Rob Ickes, Sunday Song with duel mandolins and the amazing Spirit
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SONGFARMER: the iPhone album: this is the album MJ recorded completely on his iPhone using the Quartet interface and Ear Trumpet mics, and it sounds great. Selected as the 2018 RURAL ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR by the National Old-Time Music Festival. These are songs of the “front porch” all solo compositions on guitar and long neck banjo. Tune include GUN, the lovely banjo ballad AUTUMN SONG, the story song pamper creek and more.
THE DREAM … A SONG ABOUT THE EARTH AT PEACE:
We hate war, we hate fighting, we are tired of all the shooting … THE DREAM is a song about our world finally at peace recorded with four children choirs in English, French, Spanish and Russian plus a 61-piece symphony. To HEAR “The Dream” CLICK HERE
Among the throngs of artists in the music world, few have elevated “dreaming” to such a high art form as folksinger Michael Johnathon. He is a touring songwriter, author of five published books, playwright of the Walden Play performed in 42 countries, composer of the opera, Woody: For the People, organizer of the national association of front porch musicians called SongFarmers, the full symphony performances of SONGS OF RURAL AMERICA and as the creator and host of the live audience broadcast of the WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour with a radio audience with over two million listeners each week on 500 public radio stations, public television coast-to-coast, American Forces Radio Network in 173 nations and now on the RFD-TV Network nationwide (read the long form bio) Visit our websites: WoodSongs.com WaldenPlay.com WoodyGuthrieOpera.com SongFarmers.org
The recording sessions for the new album THE PAINTER begin in October, for a February 2021 release. See updates click here
paid in the USA
Available Now in a 3 CD Special
MOONFIRE The Banjo Album is a 23-song album dedicated to the long neck, open back banjo. Michael performs, produces and arranges all the songs … and writes most of them. From traditional epics like DARLIN CORY and EAST VIRGINIA BLUES to originals like COSMIC BANJO and the plaintive title song, this album is more than just a wonderful listen … it is a musical expose’ on the banjo completely reinvented. Click here for ordering and song samples 
THE DREAM … A SONG ABOUT THE EARTH AT PEACE:
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