Everyone has their favorite suit or set of clothes. Â You wear them and somehow your confidence goes up a notch and invariably the day goes better. Â For Jeff Johnston, that apparel turned about to be his musical identity. Â After trying other styles for a few years he decided to embrace his heritage and upbringing in Austin, Texas. Â That led him to create an homage to the music of the 70’s that contributed to the vibe that made Austin the “live music capital of the world.” Â The album is called Undiscovered County and Johnston has enlisted some of Austin’s finest musicians to help with the project.
There are a number of musical styles on the record, but several fall into a sort of rockabilly beat. Â Things Are Looking’ Up features Redd Volkaert on guitar and T. Jarrod Bonta on piano in a Jerry Lee Lewis style number. Â Drinkin’ Cheatin’ Cussin’ & Fightin’ also features Volkaert and Lisa Pankratz’ driving drums in a scoot over to honky tonk. Â Add a swing beat and you have You And Your Sister, Too where Johnston sings a light-hearted ditty where “I’m in love with you and your sister, too.” Â The last song on the CD is Buck You, an alliteration to a rant about how the songwriter feels about complainers.
Some fine country songs made their way onto the album, too. Â Whiskey Under the Bridge is a country shuffle featuring Rich Brotherton on guitar and Warren Hood on fiddle. Â Brotherton does some slide work on Wild Eyes, with it’s pop leaning sound. Â True Blue has that classic walking bass line. Â El Toro uses the Tosca String Quartet to add some sophistication to a story that’s basically just a drunkard imagining his life’s glory by way of the mechanical bull in his local watering hole.
 There are a number of musical angles I could use to talk about Undiscovered County, but at the end of the day it’s most endearing feature is that it’s just a lot of fun.  Johnston has found a groove that fits him, and you can hear that in the record.  So listen and enjoy.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.