HT Interview: Ron Johnson Returns To The Road With The Warren Haynes Band
“When Warren calls, you take the gig,” says Ron Johnson, the Brooklyn-based bass player, best known for his 10-year tour of duty with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.
His new, high profile gig is with the Warren Haynes Band and it brings him back to touring after a one-year break from the road.
[Warren Haynes Band – Touring Edition by Allison Murphy & Dino Perrucci]
The seeds for his involvement with Warren Haynes Band were planted three years ago. “I just remember hearing from J. Bau (part of the Warren Haynes’s management team) that Warren was making a solo record,” recalls Johnson, “and without even hesitating, I said, ‘if he tours that thing, I want a shot at it.’”
By chance, album bass player George Porter Jr. was not able to make the band’s first performance at the 2010 Christmas Jam. For Johnson, it was less of an audition and more of a one-off gig. “I’m not sure if they knew if Porter was going to do any touring following the record. I just know that Porter couldn’t do Christmas jam and he gave me his blessing to fill those shoes.”
READ ON for more of JR’s chat with Ron Johnson…