The Steel Guitar Forum

First class picker usally found at Robert's WW on lower Broad in Nashville.....

Plays regular with the Don Kelley Band

Anyone picked with him???

Tim

I played some steel guitar w/Johnny at a house party some years ago when he was visiting in Connecticut. (He was living in Maine at the time.) My buddies warned me that the guy played like a monster and they weren't kidding!! We dug into some classic stuff like Highway 40 Blues,That's Alright Mama,Uncle Pen,etc...and he just tore them all up. He could play the recorded rides or just do his own stuff. And he is a down to earth, real humble guy. His blindness does not seem to be a handicap to him at all. I hope to run into Johnny again someday and I hope he is doing great with his career.

BTW, his last name is spelled Hiland. There was a feature on him in Guitar Player a couple of months ago. The worst thing about him is that he's only in his early 20s! It's not fair...

I know Johnny Hiland quite well. He has stayed at our home on different occasions up here in New Brunswick, Canada. This was when he was around 19 yrs old. I have played with some good guitar players in my life, but he is incredible, definitely world class. Make no mistake, he can burn it up with the best of them. He is also a darn good drummer, and can knock the smoke out a 5-string banjo too. I think he can play around 18 different instruments. If you ever get a chance to hear and meet him, you won't be disappointed. By the way, Scott, he mentioned you and the jam session you had and said you were a real good steel player.......Regards, Carson

Thank you, Carson. Please give Johnny my regards when you talk with him again.

He used to sit in and pick with "Mr. Hyde" (a band I play guitar with on a regular basis) at Legends Corner on lower Broadway. He is one of my favorite tele players of all time. Best, Boomer