Courtney Johnson
Musician · 1939–1996 · Hiseville, Kentucky
Best known for
Banjo
Courtney Johnson was a Kentucky-born banjoist who, with Sam Bush, Curtis Burch, and Ebo Walker, founded New Grass Revival in 1971 — widely credited as one of the inventors of the "newgrass" banjo style. A Sam Bush-organized Ryman Auditorium reunion concert in his honor (1996) reunited the band with Béla Fleck after his death.
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- Born December 20, 1939; raised in Hiseville, Barren County, Kentucky (born in Glasgow, KY).
- Founding member of New Grass Revival (1971–1981) with Sam Bush, Curtis Burch, and Ebo Walker.
- Widely credited as one of the inventors of the "newgrass" style of banjo playing, blending Ralph Stanley-influenced phrasing with progressive material.
- Started on guitar at age 7 but didn't pick up the banjo until around age 25; worked as a mechanic in Hiseville before turning pro.
- Played in Poor Richard's Almanac (with a teenage Sam Bush) in the late 1960s before joining the Bluegrass Alliance.
- Left NGR in 1981 (with Curtis Burch), citing exhaustion from constant touring.
- Diagnosed with lung cancer; died June 6, 1996 at age 56.
- A Sam Bush-organized benefit concert at the Ryman Auditorium on September 24, 1996 reunited New Grass Revival in his honor (with Béla Fleck on banjo); also played guitar, dobro, and mandolin.
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New Grass RevivalPlayed on recordings with New Grass Revival
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Doc WatsonPlayed on recording with Doc Watson
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Sam BushPlayed on recording with Sam Bush
