Justin Johnson

Justin Johnson is a leading figure in contemporary blues guitar, widely recognized for his distinctive style and global influence. Growing up in a musical family—with a grandfather in the US Army Band and a DJ mother—he developed a deep appreciation for a wide range of genres. This early exposure to music led him to pursue formal training in jazz guitar at UNC Wilmington, laying the foundation for his diverse and accomplished career.

Johnson has independently released 11 full-length albums, including his acclaimed debut “Smoke & Mirrors” in 2014. This album marked his entry into the international music scene, leading to tours across Australia, Europe, and North America. His original compositions have been featured in notable projects like Ken Burns’ documentary “Jackie Robinson” and a national ad campaign for Dodge Motor Company, showcasing his broad appeal and creative reach.

Throughout his career, Johnson has collaborated with several prominent artists. He worked closely with John Carter Cash on the award-winning score for “Dragon Song” and co-produced the album “Hey Crow.” His collaboration with funk legend Bootsy Collins on the “World Wide Funk” album further solidified his status as a versatile musician. Johnson also contributed to the “For The Love of King” project, joining forces with icons like Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler.

In addition to his performance career, Johnson is a passionate music educator. He has responded to global demand for his expertise by releasing an extensive instructional series on guitar technique and theory. His dedication to preserving guitar culture is also highlighted in the documentary “Strung Together,” where he shares his insights into American Roots instruments, further cementing his role as a promoter of music history.

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BECOS pedals used

CompIQ MINI Pro Compressor Pedal for Bass & Guitar

Ziffer Overdrive – Jordan Ziff Signature MINI Pedal

I am loving both pedals, and they have been on my pedalboard non-stop since I received them. Both are exceptional quality, and the functionality is exactly what I was hoping for. The Ziffer is the best overdrive pedal I’ve used, with my favorite features being the Mix knob, and the Dry EQ. I love being able to dial in the gain that I want, and then fine-tune the attack and clarity using the mix and eq knobs. The Comp mini also have such amazing control for being such a small pedal. It really responds more like studio outboard compressor than a small guitar pedal compressor in the quality, control, and the sound. I also love that it has the LEDs so that I can hit the compressor just right.