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LISTEN: Michael Johnathon, “The Ballad of Bojangles” (Feat. John McEuen)

Mar 18, 2022

LISTEN: Michael Johnathon,

Artist: Michael Johnathon
Hometown: Upstate New York
Song: “The Ballad of Bojangles” (Feat. John McEuen)
Album: Cosmic Banjo
Release Date: January 21, 2022
Label: PoetMan Records

In Their Words: “I’ve known John for a long time and worked with the NGDB, so the song has always been important to me. Jerry Jeff Walker wrote the great American classic with ‘Mr. Bojangles,’ but I always felt there was another part of that story, another point of view that would touch the emotion of loss in the character of Bojangles. My song is more than just a rewrite; it is my way of looking at the song with a brand new point of view. I wanted to focus on the character’s sense of complete loss … for his family, his life and his dreams. When John McEuen agreed to be part of the recording, it helped validate the idea of ‘The Ballad of Bojangles.’ It was important that the song be reminiscent of ‘Mr. Bojangles’ and yet completely original at the same time, so I made it banjo-driven and added a 21-piece string section and, of course, John on the mandolin.” — Michael Johnathon


Photo Credit: WoodSongs/Larry Neuzel

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LISTEN: Michael Johnathon,
LISTEN: Michael Johnathon,