Johnny Shot Band has been playing the Big Island entertainment scene since 2001, sharing an array of classic rock, rock ‘n ’ roll, country, blues and more with audiences. The group touts its ability to deliver a powerful and energetic performance that guests on the dance floor, while still appealing to those that just want to kick back and enjoy the show.
Lead singer and rhythm guitar Neil Barnett recently took time out his busy schedule to tell Big Island Entertainment Scene about the band.
Q: What is the Johnny Shot Band, how did the band come up with the name?
A: “In 2001, a group of us musicians came together to collaborate on an album, and at that time we also started what has now become our long and successful career as a main state convention and wedding band. We wanted a name that was fun-sounding and catchy and could serve for both the corporate work as well as the album and local public venues, and ‘Johnny Shot’ was the result.”
Q: How do you describe your music to people?
A: “Extremely entertaining and accessible to all, spanning many decades and genres.”
Q: Who would enjoy your music and why?
A: “Nearly everyone because we do nearly everything — we cover rock ‘n’ roll, country, blues, and even some jazz and modern millennial songs, spanning from 1955 to 2015, nearly 60 years of music.”
Q: When did you start playing and what inspires you to continue playing?
A: “Individually, we all came from successful bands and musical careers in other parts of the world. By magic luck we all found ourselves on the Big Island in one village in 2001, and the rest is history. Without a doubt it is our audience which inspires us to continue playing.”
Q: What are the group’s musical influences and why?
A: “To name them all would be difficult but a broad scope would include the likes of Johnny Cash, the Beatles, the Doors, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, the Clash, U2 — all of these acts and artists are the greatest of the times they played and we strive to emulate them perfectly.”
Q: How do you hope your music makes people feel?
A: “Entertained and happy, reminiscent, nostalgic.”
Follow Johnny Shot Band at Johnnyshot.com, Johnnyshotband@gmail.com, Facebook.com/johnnyshotband, Twitter.com/johnnyshotband.
Band Name: Johnny Shot Band
Where from: The band was formed and is based on the Big Island, but the members are originally from all over the United States and the United Kingdom.
Genre: Classic rock, rock ‘n ’ roll, country, blues
Years active: Since 2001
Members: Neil Barnett, lead singer and rhythm guitar; Matthew Brown, lead guitar and vocals; Greg Klicker, bass and vocals; Larry Bouchet on drums; Larry Seyer on guitar/keyboards.
Album: “What Price” (2001)
Upcoming gigs: Friday 6-10:30 p.m. at Laverne’s Sports Bar in Kona and Saturday 8:30 p.m.-midnight at Huggo’s on the Rocks.