John Richard Jorgenson (born July 6, 1956) is an American musician. Although best known for his guitar work with bands such as the Desert Rose Band and

The Hellecasters The Hellecasters are an American guitar group. Composed of noted session players Will Ray, John Jorgenson ( Desert Rose Band, and Elton John's backing band), and Jerry Donahue (Fairport Convention), they all play guitars by other manufacturers ...

, he is also proficient on the mandolin,

mandocello The mandocello ( it, mandoloncello, Liuto cantabile, liuto moderno) is a plucked string instrument of the mandolin family. It is larger than the mandolin, and is the baritone instrument of the mandolin family. Its eight strings are in four paire ...

Dobro Dobro is an American brand of resonator guitars, currently owned by Gibson (guitar company), Gibson and manufactured by its subsidiary Epiphone. The term "dobro" is also used as a generic term for any wood-bodied, single-cone resonator guitar. ...

pedal steel guitar The pedal steel guitar is a console-type of steel guitar with pedals and knee levers that change the pitch of certain strings to enable playing more varied and complex music than any previous steel guitar design. Like all steel guitars, it can ...

, piano, upright bass, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone. While a member of the Desert Rose Band, he won the

Academy of Country Music The Academy of Country Music (ACM) was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Among the founders were Eddie Miller, Tommy Wiggins, and Mickey and Chris Christensen. They wanted to promote country musi ...

's "Guitarist of the Year" award three consecutive years. Jorgenson has recorded or toured with

Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, pianist and composer. Commonly nicknamed the "Rocket Man" after his 1972 hit single of the same name, John has led a commercially successful career a ...

Tommy Emmanuel William Thomas Emmanuel (born 31 May 1955) is an Australian guitarist. Regarded as one of the greatest acoustic guitarists of all time, he is known for his complex fingerstyle technique, energetic performances and use of percussive effects on ...

The Byrds The Byrds () were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1964. The band underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) remaining the sole con ...

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...

Bob Seger Robert Clark Seger ( ; born May 6, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and The Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s, break ...

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and ''Stardust'' (1978 ...

Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his c ...

Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, includin ...

, Hank Williams Jr.,

Barbra Streisand Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand (; born April 24, 1942) is an American singer, actress and director. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success in multiple fields of entertainment, and is among the few performers awar ...

Luciano Pavarotti Luciano Pavarotti (, , ; 12 October 19356 September 2007) was an Italian operatic tenor who during the late part of his career crossed over into popular music, eventually becoming one of the most acclaimed tenors of all time. He made numero ...

Roy Orbison Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. His music was described by critics as ...

Patty Loveless Patty Loveless (born Patricia Lee Ramey, January 4, 1957) is an American country music singer. She began performing in her teenaged years before signing her first recording contract with MCA Records' Nashville division in 1985. While her first ...

Michael Nesmith Robert Michael Nesmith or Mike Nesmith, (December 30, 1942 – December 10, 2021) was an American musician, songwriter, and actor. He was best known as a member of the pop rock band the Monkees and co-star of the TV series ''The Monkees'' (1966� ...

John Prine John Edward Prine (; October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter of country-folk music. He was active as a composer, recording artist, live performer, and occasional actor from the early 1970s until his death. He ...

, and

Bonnie Raitt Bonnie Lynn Raitt (; born November 8, 1949) is an American blues singer and guitarist. In 1971, Raitt released her self-titled debut album. Following this, she released a series of critically acclaimed roots-influenced albums that incorporated ...

Early years

He was born in 1956 in

Madison, Wisconsin Madison is the county seat of Dane County and the capital city of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census the population was 269,840, making it the second-largest city in Wisconsin by population, after Milwaukee, and the 80th ...

, into a musical family. His mother was a piano teacher and his father an orchestra conductor and college music professor.Gypsy Jazz Page
Jorgenson has played professionally since the age of fourteen, and had been playing both the

piano The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material (modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt; some early pianos used leather). It is played using a keyboa ...

and

clarinet The clarinet is a musical instrument in the woodwind family. The instrument has a nearly cylindrical bore and a flared bell, and uses a single reed to produce sound. Clarinets comprise a family of instruments of differing sizes and pitch ...

since age eight. When Jorgenson was one, he and his family moved to

Redlands, California Redlands ( ) is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 73,168, up from 68,747 at the 2010 census. The city is located approximately west of Palm Springs and east of ...

. Jorgenson attended high school in

, graduating in May 1974.Moore Annual Staff, "''Jester''", Moore Junior High School, Redlands, California, 1970, page 32.Redlands High Annual Staff, "''Makio''", Redlands Senior High School, Redlands, California, 1974, page 150. He eventually attended the

University of Redlands The University of Redlands is a private university headquartered in Redlands, California. The university's main, residential campus is situated on 160 acres (65 ha) near downtown Redlands. An additional eight regional locations throughout Califo ...

, majoring in woodwind performance. One of his early bands in this period was named ''Rocking Pneumonia'', c. 1971. In his early 20s he played full-time at

Disneyland Disneyland is a theme park in Anaheim, California. Opened in 1955, it was the first theme park opened by The Walt Disney Company and the only one designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney. Disney initially envisio ...

, playing clarinet with the Main Street Maniacs (

Dixieland Dixieland jazz, also referred to as traditional jazz, hot jazz, or simply Dixieland, is a style of jazz based on the music that developed in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century. The 1917 recordings by the Original Dixieland Jass Band ...

), mandolin with the Thunder Mountain Boys ( bluegrass) and guitar with the Rhythm Brothers (Django Reinhardt style

swing Swing or swinging may refer to: Apparatus * Swing (seat), a hanging seat that swings back and forth * Pendulum, an object that swings * Russian swing, a swing-like circus apparatus * Sex swing, a type of harness for sexual intercourse * Swing ri ...

). These three groups were composed of the same four members, who changed costumes and music styles at intervals throughout each day.

Later years

In 1993 Jorgenson formed the guitar trio the Hellecasters with Will Ray and guitarist

Jerry Donahue Jerry Donahue (born September 24, 1946, Manhattan, New York City) is an American guitarist and producer primarily known for his work in the British folk rock scene as a member of Fotheringay and Fairport Convention as well as being a member of t ...

Fairport Convention Fairport Convention are an English folk rock band, formed in 1967 by guitarists Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol, bassist Ashley Hutchings and drummer Shaun Frater (with Frater replaced by Martin Lamble after their first gig.) They started o ...

. Intended as a temporary collaboration, the Hellecasters went on to release several albums during the 1990s. Their debut, ''Return of the Hellecasters'' (1993) won both "Album of the Year" and "Country Album of the Year" from ''

Guitar Player ''Guitar Player'' is an American popular magazine for guitarists, founded in 1967 in San Jose, California San Jose, officially San José (; ; ), is a major city in the U.S. state of California that is the cultural, financial, and politica ...

'' magazine. In 1994 he was invited to join Elton John's band for an 18-month tour. He remained with the band for the next six years, performing both live and in the studio, occasionally on saxophone. In 2002 he played bass guitar in the All-star Bluegrass Celebration in Nashville. Two years later he portrayed jazz guitarist

Django Reinhardt Jean Reinhardt (23 January 1910 – 16 May 1953), known by his Romani nickname Django ( or ), was a Romani-French jazz guitarist and composer. He was one of the first major jazz talents to emerge in Europe and has been hailed as one of its most ...

in the film '' Head in the Clouds''. Jorgenson collaborated with

Brad Paisley Bradley Douglas Paisley (born October 28, 1972) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Starting with his 1999 debut album ''Who Needs Pictures'', he has released eleven studio albums and a Christmas compilation on the Arista Nashvil ...

James Burton James Edward Burton (born August 21, 1939, in Dubberly, Louisiana) is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 (his induction speech was given by longtime fan Keith Richards), Burton has also been recognized ...

Vince Gill Vincent Grant Gill (born April 12, 1957) is an American country music singer, songwriter and musician. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman of the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s and as a solo artist ...

Albert Lee Albert William Lee (born 21 December 1943) is an English guitarist known for his fingerstyle and hybrid picking technique. Lee has worked, both in the studio and on tour, with many famous musicians from a wide range of genres. He has also mai ...

Brent Mason Brent Mason (born July 13, 1959) is an American, Nashville, Tennessee-based recording studio guitarist and songwriter, performing primarily country music. Guitar World Magazine listed him as one of the "Top Ten Session Guitarists of All Time". ...

Redd Volkaert Redd Volkaert (born 1958) originally from Canada, is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitar players in the modern era and is "among the country’s top Telecaster guitar slingers." particularly in the genres of Western Swing and Honky Tonk. ...

and

Steve Wariner Steven Noel Wariner (born December 25, 1954) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Initially a backing musician for Dottie West, he also worked with Bob Luman and Chet Atkins before beginning a solo career in the late ...

on the song "Cluster Pluck", on Paisley's album '' Play'' (2009). The song won a

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pr ...

in the Best Country Instrumental Performance category. He is a patron for Guitar-X (

Tech Music Schools The British and Irish Modern Music Institute, now styled as the BIMM Institute, is a group of eight independent colleges which specialise in the provision of creative education in Brighton, Bristol, London, Dublin, Manchester, Berlin, Birmi ...

) in London, where he regularly visits to hold master classes. He is also a patron for Le QuecumBar, the world's only music venue dedicated to Gypsy swing in London. His

gypsy jazz Gypsy jazz (also known as gypsy swing, jazz manouche or hot club-style jazz) is a style of small-group jazz originating from the Romani guitarist Jean "Django" Reinhardt (1910–53), in conjunction with the French swing violinist Stéphane G ...

ensemble, '' John Jorgenson Quintet'' includes Doug Martin (rhythm guitar), Jason Anick (violin), Simon Planting (bass), and Rick Reed (percussion).

Custom guitars

G&L Guitars made a very few signature John Jorgenson ASAT guitars in Silver Sparkle with Silver Sparkle Pickguard, rosewood fretboard and Black ASAT Pickups in 1995. Fender made signature guitar models for Jorgensen in 1997 and 1998. The Fender Limited Edition John Jorgenson Hellecaster was made in Japan in 1997. It features a black sparkle-finished maple body, vintage-tinted, high-gloss maple neck with reversed large-style Strat headstock, rosewood fretboard with gold sparkle dot inlays, 22 jumbo frets and Schaller locking tuners. Refinements included three

Seymour Duncan Seymour Duncan is an American company best known for manufacturing guitar and bass pickups. They also manufacture effects pedals which are designed and assembled in America. Guitarist and luthier Seymour W. Duncan and Cathy Carter Duncan found ...

custom-voiced, split-coil, hum-cancelling pickups which allow players to get controlled feedback in distortion mode and a custom-wired, five-way pickup selector switch with an additional push/pull control allowing seven tone variations. Other touches included a custom two-pivot-point tremolo, a Wilkinson "Wilkaloid" self-lubricating nut, gold sparkle pickguard and gold hardware. The Fender John Jorgenson Signature Custom Korina Telecaster was made at the Fender Custom Shop in 1998, sporting a solid Korina body, a maple neck with pearloid dot inlays and a 25.5" scale length, African rosewood or an ebony on black finish fretboard with 22 Dunlop 6130 frets. Other features included dual side-by-side Telecaster humbucking pickups, a modified vintage style Tele bridge, a special custom five-way pickup switching featuring five different combinations (each in humbucking mode), 1.688" width at the nut and Sperzel Trimlok locking tuners. In 1994, he became the third artist to have a custom signature series guitar built by

Takamine Guitars is a Japanese guitar manufacturer based in Nakatsugawa, Gifu, Japan. Takamine is known for its steel-string acoustic guitars. The company was founded in 1959, being renamed as "Takamine Gakki Ltd." in 1962. In 1978 they were one of the first co ...

. The JJ325SRC and the twelve-string JJ325SRC-12, born from the EF325SRCA, feature a spruce top with bubinga back and sides in a gloss red satin finish, a rosewood fretboard on a mahogany neck with his signature J.J. inlay on the 12th fret, and gold tubes with white pearloid knobs. The most recent John Jorgenson signature guitar is the

Fret-King Fret-King is a UK manufacturer of stringed instruments and musical accessories, originally conceived by guitar designer Trevor Wilkinson in the early 1990s. The company has manufactured a number of electric and bass guitars noted for their dis ...

FKV25JJ in Arcadian and Versailles Green. Designed in conjunction with Trev Wilkinson, the guitar is packed with a whole host of features including a chambered body, three self-intonating brass saddles, a matched, calibrated set of Wilkinson WVT pickups and two auxiliary ‘ghost’ coils which provide both hum-cancelling and classic single coil tones at the turn of a dial, thanks to the unique ‘Vari-coil’ control. John's Fret-King signature model will be joined by the FKV25JCAR in Candy Apple Red in 2019. 2019 will also see both Fret-King Jorgenson models shift from chambered to solid body construction.

Discography

As leader

* ''After You've Gone'' (Curb, 1988) * ''Crop Circles'' with Davey Johnstone (Solid Air, 1999) * ''Emotional Savant'' (J2, 1999) * ''Franco-American Swing'' (J2, 2004) * ''Ultraspontane'' (J2, 2007) * ''Istiqbal Gathering'' (J2, 2010) * ''One Stolen Night'' (J2, 2010) * ''J2B2 Special Edition'' (J2, 2014) * ''From the Crow's Nest'' (Cleopatra, 2017) With The Desert Rose Band * ''The Desert Rose Band'' (Curb, 1987) * ''Running'' (Curb, 1988) * ''Pages of Life'' (Curb, 1990) * ''True Love'' (Curb, 1991) * ''Life Goes On'' (MSI, 2007) With

* ''The Return of the Hellecasters'' (Pacific Arts Audio, 1993) * ''Escape from Hollywood'' (Rio, 1994) * ''Hell III New Axes to Grind'' (Pharaoh, 1997)

As sideman

With

Kenny Chesney Kenneth Arnold Chesney (born March 26, 1968) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He has recorded more than 20 albums and has produced more than 40 Top 10 singles on the US ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs and Country ...

* ''

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems ''No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems'' is the sixth studio album by American country music singer Kenny Chesney. It was released in April 2002 via BNA Records. It became Chesney's first album to reach number one on the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 and p ...

'' (BNA, 2002) * ''

All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan ''All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan'' is the seventh studio album by American country music singer Kenny Chesney, released on October 7, 2003. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sal ...

'' (BNA, 2003) * '' When the Sun Goes Down'' (BNA, 2004) * '' Be as You Are (Songs from an Old Blue Chair)'' (BNA, 2005) * ''

The Road and the Radio ''The Road and the Radio'' is the tenth studio album by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released on November 8, 2005 via BNA Records. The album debuted at number one on the US Top Country Albums and US ''Billboard'' 200 char ...

'' (BNA, 2005) With

Rodney Crowell Rodney Crowell (born August 7, 1950) is an American musician, known primarily for his work as a singer and songwriter in country music. Crowell has had five number one singles on Hot Country Songs, all from his 1988 album '' Diamonds & Dirt''. ...

* '' Jewel of the South'' (MCA, 1995) * '' The Houston Kid'' (Sugar Hill, 2001) * '' Fate's Right Hand'' (DMZ, 2003) * ''Christmas Everywhere'' (New West, 2018) * ''Texas'' (RC1, 2019) With

* ''Telecasting'' (Making Waves, 1986) * ''Neck of the Wood'' (the Road Goes On Forever, 1992) * ''Telecasting Recast'' (Telebender Music, 1998) With Neal McCoy * '' 24-7-365'' (Giant, 2000) With

* '' Tropical Campfires'' (Pacific Arts Audio, 1992) With

Syd Straw Syd Straw (born 1958) is an American rock singer and songwriter. The daughter of actor Jack Straw ('' The Pajama Game''), she began her career singing backup for Pat Benatar, then took her distinct voice to the indie/alternative scene and joine ...

* ''Surprise'' (Virgin Records, 1989) With others *

Chad Brock Chad Brock (born July 31, 1963) is an American country music singer and disc jockey. Before beginning his musical career in the late 1990s, he was a professional wrestler in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), until an injury forced him to retir ...

, '' Yes!'' (Warner Bros., 2000) *

Lisa Brokop Lisa Brokop (born June 6, 1973) is a Canadian country music singer/songwriter and actress. Active since 1990 in the country music field, she has released a total of seven studio albums and has charted more than twenty singles on the country music ...

, ''Undeniable'' (Cosmo, 2000) *

Brooks & Dunn Brooks & Dunn are an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, both of whom are vocalists and songwriters. The duo was founded in 1990 through the suggestion of Tim DuBois. Before their formation, both members were so ...

, '' Red Dirt Road'' (Arista, 2003) *

Mary Chapin Carpenter Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also call ...

, ''

Come On Come On ''Come On Come On'' is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Mary Chapin Carpenter. Seven of its tracks became ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles hits in 1992, 1993, and 1994. They were, chronologically, "I Feel Lucky" at #4, "N ...

'' (Columbia, 1992) *

Steph Carse Stephen Carse (born May 22, 1965), credited as Steph Carse is a Canadian pop singer. Career Originally from Montreal, Quebec,"Steph Carse showcases his songwriting". '' The Gazette'', December 8, 1994. Carse began his career in the 1990s. His fi ...

, ''Steph Carse'' (H2E, 2000) *

Carlene Carter Carlene Carter (born Rebecca Carlene Smith; September 26, 1955) is an American country music singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of June Carter Cash and her first husband, Carl Smith. As of 2020, since 1978, Carter has recorded 12 alb ...

, '' Little Love Letters'' (Giant, 1993) * Carlene Carter, '' Little Acts of Treason'' (Giant, 1995) * Lionel Cartwright, '' Chasin' the Sun'' (MCA, 1991) *

Beth Nielsen Chapman Beth Nielsen Chapman (born September 14, 1958) is an American singer and songwriter who has written hits for country and pop music performers. She was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016. Nielsen Chapman is two-time Gr ...

, '' Look'' (Sanctuary, 2004) *

John Cowan John Cowan (born August 24, 1953) is an American soul music and progressive bluegrass vocalist and bass guitar player. He was the lead vocalist and bass player for the New Grass Revival. Cowan became the band's bassist in 1972 after the departu ...

, ''Sixty'' (Compass, 2014) * Jesse Dayton, ''Hey Nashvegas!'' (Stag, 2001) * Levi Dexter, ''Pomp!'' (Vinyl Japan, 1992) *

Peter Frampton Peter Kenneth Frampton (born 22 April 1950) is an English musician and songwriter who was a member of the rock bands Humble Pie and the Herd. As a solo artist, he has released several albums, including his major breakthrough album, the live ...

, '' Fingerprints'' (A&M/New Door 2006) *

Beppe Gambetta Beppe Gambetta (born 1955) is an Italian acoustic guitarist and singer. A native of Genoa, he is a composer, teacher, author, and researcher of traditional music and instruments. Music career In 1977, Gambetta founded Red Wine, an Italian blue ...

, ''Dialogs'' (Hi Folks!, 1988) *

Amy Grant Amy Lee Grant (born November 25, 1960) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. She began in contemporary Christian music (CCM) before crossing over to pop music in the 1980s and 1990s. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christia ...

, '' Somewhere Down the Road'' (Sparrow, 2010) *

Collin Raye Floyd Elliot Wray (born August 22, 1960) is an American country music singer, known professionally as Collin Raye, and previously as Bubba Wray. Under the latter name, he recorded as a member of the band The Wrays between 1983 and 1987. He made ...

, '' Tracks'' (Epic, 2000) *

Janne Haavisto Janne Pekka Haavisto (born 28 November 1964 in Espoo, Finland) is a Finnish drummer, recording engineer and record producer. He has been a professional musician since the age of 16, that is, from 1983 on. Career as a musician In his youth, Haav ...

, ''Permanent Jet Lag'' (Texicalli, 2001) *

and

, '' Old Yellow Moon'' (Nonesuch, 2013) *

Highway 101 Highway 101 was an American country music band founded in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. The initial lineup consisted of Paulette Carlson (lead vocals), Jack Daniels (guitar), Curtis Stone (bass guitar, vocals), and Scott "Cactus" Moser (drum ...

, ''The New Frontier'' (Liberty, 1993) *

Chris Hillman Christopher Hillman (born December 4, 1944) is an American musician. He was the original bassist of and one of the original members of the Byrds, which in 1965 included Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby and Michael Clarke. With freque ...

, ''Like a Hurricane'' (Sugar Hill, 1998) * Chris Hillman, ''Bidin' My Time'' (Rounder, 2017) *

Juice Newton Judith Kay "Juice" Newton (born February 18, 1952) is an American pop and country singer, songwriter, and musician. Newton has received five Grammy Award nominations in the Pop and Country Best Female Vocalist categorieswinning once in 1983as well ...

, ''

American Girl American Girl is an American line of dolls released on May 5, 1986, by Pleasant Company. The dolls portray eight- to fourteen-year-old boys and girls of a variety of ethnicities, faiths, and social classes from different time periods throughou ...

'' (Renaissance, 1999) *

Steve Holy Stephen Kyle Holy (born February 23, 1972) is an American country music singer. Signed to Curb Records since 1999, he has released three studio albums: 2000's ''Blue Moon'', 2006's '' Brand New Girlfriend'', and 2011's '' Love Don't Run''. Fiftee ...

, '' Brand New Girlfriend'' (Curb, 2006) *

, '' The Big Picture'' (Mercury, 1997) * Elton John, '' Peachtree Road'' (Rocket, 2004) *

Carolyn Dawn Johnson Carolyn Dawn Johnson (born April 30, 1971) is a Canadian country music singer-songwriter. Johnson co-wrote Chely Wright's 1999 single, "Single White Female," which reached number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in Se ...

, '' Room with a View'' (Arista, 2001) *

The Knack The Knack was an American rock band based in Los Angeles that rose to fame with its first single, " My Sharona", an international number-one hit in 1979. History Founding (1977–1978) Singer Doug Fieger was a native of Oak Park, Michigan, a ...

, '' Normal as the Next Guy'' (Smile/Zen 2001) * Chris LeDoux, ''Stampede'' (Capitol, 1996) * Mike Love, ''

Unleash the Love ''Unleash the Love'' is the second solo studio album by American singer Mike Love. It was released on November 17, 2017. Background and production Before ''Unleash the Love'', Mike Love had not officially released a solo album since 1981's '' ...

'' (BMG, 2017) *

Mark Mancina Mark Mancina is an American film composer. A veteran of Hans Zimmer's Media Ventures, Mancina has scored over sixty films and television series including ''Speed'', '' Bad Boys'', ''Twister'', ''Tarzan'', ''Training Day'', ''Brother Bear'', ''Cr ...

, ''Bad Boys'' (La-La Land, 2007) *

Brad Martin Bradley Curtis Martin (May 3, 1973 – March 11, 2022) was an American country music singer-songwriter. He made his debut on the American country music scene in 2002 with the release of his debut album '' Wings of a Honky-Tonk Angel'', which p ...

, '' Wings of a Honky-Tonk Angel'' (Epic, 2002) *

Roger McGuinn James Roger McGuinn (born James Joseph McGuinn III; July 13, 1942) is an American musician. He is best known for being the frontman and leader of the Byrds. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with the Byrds. As a ...

, ''

Back from Rio ''Back from Rio'' is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of the Byrds Roger McGuinn. It was released on January 8, 1991, more than a decade after McGuinn's previous solo album, ''Thunderbyrd''. The albu ...

'' (Arista, 1991) * Roger McGuinn, '' Limited Edition'' (April First Productions, 2004) *

Jo Dee Messina Jo Dee Marie Messina (born August 25, 1970) is an American country music artist. She has charted six number-one singles on the '' Billboard'' country music charts. She has been honored by the Country Music Association and the Academy of Countr ...

, ''

A Joyful Noise ''A Joyful Noise'' is a musical with a book by Edward Padula and music and lyrics by Oscar Brand and Paul Nassau. The 1966 Broadway production was a flop but introduced choreographer Michael Bennett in his Broadway debut. Based on Mississip ...

'' (Curb, 2002) *

Craig Morgan Craig Morgan Greer (born July 17, 1964) is an American country music artist. A veteran of the United States Army as a forward observer, Morgan began his musical career in 2000 on Atlantic Records, releasing his self-titled debut album for th ...

, ''

'' (Atlantic, 2000) * Allison Paige, ''The End of the World'' (Lofton Creek/H2E, 2003) *

, '' Play: The Guitar Album'' (Arista, 2008) *

Lee Roy Parnell Lee Roy Parnell (born December 21, 1956) is an American country music and blues artist, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Active since 1990, he has recorded eight studio albums, and has charted more than twenty singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot ...

, ''

Love Without Mercy ''Love Without Mercy'' is the second studio album by American country music singer Lee Roy Parnell. It was released in 1992 on Arista Records. The album includes the singles "The Rock", "What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am", "Tender Moment" and ...

'' (Arista, 1992) * Lee Roy Parnell, ''

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'' (Arista, 1993) * Paul Personne, ''Lost in Paris Blues Band'' (Verycords, 2016) *

Pierce Pettis Pierce Pettis (born April 14, 1954) is an American singer-songwriter from Fort Payne, Alabama. Biography A former staff writer for PolyGram Publishing in Nashville, Pettis' musical career was started in 1979 when Joan Baez covered one of his ...

, ''Chase the Buffalo'' (High Street, 1993) * Michael Peterson, ''Modern Man'' (AGR Television, 2004) *

, '' The Missing Years'' (Oh Boy, 1991) * John Prine, '' Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings'' (Oh Boy, 1995) *

, '' Nick of Time'' (Capitol, 1989) *

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, '' Tuskegee'' (Mercury, 2012) *

LeAnn Rimes Margaret LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (born August 28, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She originally rose to success as a country music artist at age 13 with 1996's "Blue". She has since crossed over into pop, contemporary Chri ...

, ''

Blue Blue is one of the three primary colours in the RYB colour model (traditional colour theory), as well as in the RGB (additive) colour model. It lies between violet and cyan on the spectrum of visible light. The eye perceives blue when ...

'' (Curb, 1996) *

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, '' Sounds So Good'' (MCA, 2008) *

, '' A Love Like Ours'' (Columbia, 1999) *

, ''

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'' (Capitol, 1991) *

Earl Scruggs Earl Eugene Scruggs (January 6, 1924 – March 28, 2012) was an American musician noted for popularizing a three-finger banjo picking style, now called "Scruggs style", which is a defining characteristic of bluegrass music. His three-finge ...

, ''Earl Scruggs and Friends'' (MCA, 2001) * Earl Scruggs & Doc Watson & Ricky Skaggs, ''The Three Pickers'' (Rounder, 2003) * Victoria Shaw, ''in Full View'' (Reprise, 1995) * Sir Douglas Quintet, ''Day Dreaming at Midnight'' (Elektra, 1994) * South 65, ''Dream Large'' (Atlantic, 2001) *

Billy Ray Cyrus Billy Ray Cyrus (born August 25, 1961) is an American country singer and actor. He has released 16 studio albums and 53 singles since 1992, and is known for his hit single "Achy Breaky Heart", which topped the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and ...

, '' Home at Last'' (Walt Disney, 2007) * J. D. Souther, '' Natural History'' (Entertainment One, 2011) *

Pam Tillis Pamela Yvonne Tillis (born July 24, 1957) is an American country music singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She is the daughter of country music singer Mel Tillis and ex-wife of songwriter Bob DiPiero. Tillis recorded unsuccessful ...

, ''Homeward Looking Angel'' (Arista, 1992) *

Tin Tin Out Tin Tin Out were an English electronic dance music duo, comprising Darren Stokes and Lindsay Edwards. They remixed songs for a variety of artists such as Duran Duran, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, The Corrs and Des'ree, as well as collaborating wi ...

, ''Eleven to Fly'' (Virgin, 1999) * Tin Tin Out, ''What I Am'' (VC 1999) *

Travis Tritt James Travis Tritt (born February 9, 1963) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1989, releasing seven studio albums and a greatest hits package for the label between then and 1999. In the 20 ...

, '' T-R-O-U-B-L-E'' (Warner Bros., 1992) *

Tanya Tucker Tanya Denise Tucker (born October 10, 1958) is an American country music singer and songwriter who had her first hit, " Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13. Over the succeeding decades, Tucker became one of the few child performers to mature in ...

, '' Complicated'' (Capitol Records, 1997) *

Sylvie Vartan Sylvie Vartan (; born Sylvie Georges Vartanian; hy, Սիլվի Ժորժ Վարդանյան. on 15 August 1944) is an Armenian-Bulgarian-French singer and actress. She is known as one of the most productive and tough-sounding yé-yé artists. ...

, ''Avec Toi...'' (Columbia, 2018) *

Gene Watson Gary Gene Watson (born October 11, 1943) is an American country music singer. He is most famous for his 1975 hit "Love in the Hot Afternoon," his 1981 No. 1 hit " Fourteen Carat Mind," and his signature 1979 song " Farewell Party." Watson's l ...

, ''Back in the Fire'' (Warner Bros., 1989) * Hank Williams Jr., ''Hog Wild'' (Curb, 1995) * Hank Williams Jr., ''A.K.A. Wham Bam Sam'' (Curb, 1996) * Chely Wright, ''

Never Love You Enough ''Never Love You Enough'' is the fifth studio album by American country music artist Chely Wright. It was released on September 25, 2001 via MCA Nashville, and was her last album for the label. Content Its first two tracks — the title track and ...

'' (MCA, 2001) * Chely Wright, ''

Lifted Off the Ground ''Lifted Off the Ground'' is the seventh studio album from singer-songwriter Chely Wright. The album was released on April 30, 2010 and coincided with the release of her first memoir, ''Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer''. Within ...

'' (Vanguard, 2010) *

Trisha Yearwood Patricia Lynn Yearwood (born September 19, 1964) is an American singer, actress, author and television personality. She rose to fame with her 1991 debut single " She's in Love with the Boy," which became a number one hit on the ''Billboard'' c ...

, '' Jasper County'' (MCA, 2005) * Trisha Yearwood, '' PrizeFighter: Hit After Hit'' (RCA, 2014)

References

External links

Official website

John Jorgenson Interview
NAMM Oral History Library (2018) {{DEFAULTSORT:Jorgenson, John 1956 births Living people 20th-century American guitarists 20th-century American pianists American bassoonists American clarinetists American country guitarists American double-bassists Male double-bassists American jazz guitarists American male guitarists American multi-instrumentalists American rock guitarists American male saxophonists Cleopatra Records artists The Desert Rose Band members Grammy Award winners Gypsy jazz guitarists Musicians from Madison, Wisconsin Musicians from Ventura County, California University of Redlands alumni 21st-century American saxophonists Jazz musicians from California American male pianists Guitarists from California Country musicians from California 21st-century American pianists 21st-century double-bassists 21st-century clarinetists 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians The Hellecasters members Elton John Band members