I am a guitarist, bassist and sound engineer and have made my life and living in music for more than 30 years. I began my career as a bass player in rock bands that traveled up and down the West Coast. After pursuing music (classical guitar and composition) in college I resumed my career as a performer and teacher. I have played all around the country both as a solo artist and as a member of The Highwaymen, the folk group from the 1960's who scored a gold record with 'Michael' back in 1961.

Portrait of the Artist

Guitarist/bassist/composer Johann Helton has been recording and performing throughout the United States for more than 30 years. Based in Boise, Idaho in the Pacific Northwest, he has been referred to as one of the area’s ‘long-loved guitarists’ (Idaho Statesman). As a composer, Johann’s musical interests and influences display his experience and diversity, but with the emphasis always on melody and texture. As a performer, Johann ‘treats his instrument like a canvas’(Boise Weekly), painting musical pictures of great variety and imagination.

“The power of music is the power of the human spirit. My intention with expressing my musical vision is to remind listeners that beauty is a powerful agent in affecting positive change in this fragmented world.”

A partial list of credits reveals the breadth of influences in this artist’s musical journey. He has performed with Luciano Pavarotti and Jim McGuinn (The Byrds), Richie Havens and The Kingston Trio. He has appeared on PBS with Judy Collins and The Smothers Brothers. He has performed with Opera Idaho and has been a member of the 1960’s folk group The Highwaymen since 1991. His second solo CD, ‘Songs Without Words, was listed at Number 6 in Wind & Wire Magazine’s Top10 Best Acoustic Instrumental CD’s of 2003. Polished, versatile and expressive, the music of Johann Helton is for our time and for all ages.