He’s a genuine Kiwi musical export and now, after many long years in LA exile, singer, songwriter and showman Greg Johnson is coming home for a remarkable nationwide tour, appropriately titled Small Towns and Ball Gowns.
Johnson and his handpicked band begin this epic New Zealand road trip in May and will perform unforgettable concerts, featuring favourites from three decades of hitmaking, in nine intimate venues across the country.
What’s more - and in characteristic Johnson fashion - he’s giving local musicians in each town the opportunity to open for him by inviting them to submit a track via his website (www.gregjohnsonmusic.com) in the coming weeks. Greg will then personally select one local support act to warm up their hometown audience for 30 minutes before he takes the stage.
Sure to warm the soul in the shadow of darkest winter, Small Towns and Ball Gowns will play unique indoor venues from Whangarei to Riverton and Nelson to Havelock North. He’ll be at Pukekohe’s Harrington Hall, and Matakana’s Ascension Wine Estate; Tauranga’s Mills Reef Winery and Wellington’s famous Downstage Theatre. And what Kiwi road trip would be complete without a stop in Queenstown'
For Johnson aficionados, there’s an added bonus: Each of the concerts will be recorded for the production of Greg’s first ever live album, also titled Small Towns & Ball Gowns -Greg Johnson Live. The album will be available to pre-purchase as a bundle with show tickets, and will be made available for download from Greg’s website after the tour concludes.
There is little doubt Johnson is eagerly anticipating the chance to get back in front of his home fans:
“After a decade in a big City I'm still a New Zealander and by definition a small-town guy at heart. My old tune Ball Gowns in Small Towns is still a crowd favourite and this tour captures the spirit of that song,” he says.
“I’m filled with even greater excitement at the prospect of playing in places I’ve never been and the chance to return to some old friends as well. By all means dress up but ball gowns are not really necessary,” he laughs.
Along for the nine-stop ride are Greg’s talented band members and vocal support - Ted Brown, Ben King and Wayne Bell – long time friends and collaborators who have always been able to enhance the live Greg Johnson experience.
“I always wanted four part harmonies on my songs and this line up is a dream team for me - big vocals and excellent groove,” he says.
After five years without the chance for many New Zealand fans to get a taste of Greg Johnson live, this is one tour not to miss.
All tickets are general admission. Tickets and ticket/album packages go on sale at 9:00am on Wednesday 6th April. Ticketing details vary by venue and all information including the local artist support initiative is available from Greg’s website www.gregjohnsonmusic.com.
The tour is being supported by Air New Zealand’s grabaseat and as he travels, Greg will be making surprise appearances at airports across the country where he and his band will perform short acoustic sets to departing passengers. Greg is also appearing at the Bluff Oyster Festival on 21 May and will accompany fellow passengers as they fly directly from to Auckland to Invercargill on a very special Air New Zealand charter flight.
