Release

Summer of 2010 brings a new Damon Johnson solo acoustic album titled, Release. This is Johnson's first solo effort since his debut album, Dust, in 2000. 'There was a stack of songs sitting around that I felt I'd be proud to have a recorded version of me singing them,' Damon says. 'For all the different projects I've been involved in, the one thing they all have in common is great songs. I'm fortunate to be able to collaborate and learn from all these great musicians and songwriters.' Release was recorded at Kensington Road Studios in Birmingham, Alabama and showcases a diverse array of material. Some of the songs have been staples of Damon's live acoustic shows in recent years, like 'Leave It All Behind' and 'Everyday', which Stevie Nicks recorded a version of in 2002. Several songs feature a full rhythm section accompaniment, and Johnson's daughter Sarah duets with him on 'Better Days Will Come At Last' and a cover of Shelby Lynne's 'Where I'm From'. 'I've lived in Birmingham since 1987,' Damon says. 'As I'm getting ready to move my family and start our new life in Nashville, this album is sort of a love letter to Alabama.' Other highlights are Johnson's haunting version of 'Just Feel Better' (a Johnson penned song that was an international hit for Carlos Santana) and an outstanding cover of the Alice Cooper song, 'Generation Landslide', featuring Alice himself on harmonica. 'I've been asking Coop to add this song to the live set ever since I joined the band,' (Johnson has done four tours as lead guitarist for Cooper). 'The original version from Billion Dollar Babies is centered around the acoustic guitar, and we've stayed true to that arrangement. We had a blast recording it.' Diversity, passion, heart, and soul. All of these things aptly describe Damon Johnson. And they also define Release.