BIO
Triple threat guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Sophia Johnson hails originally from Birmingham England, but has been a resident in Austin, TX for the past six years. Sophia has has firmly established herself as a regular fixture on the music scene of her adopted hometown, her versatility and skill set keeps her continually busy, working as a gun for hire on guitar, as well as being the one of the founding members and creative forces behind several new projects. Equally comfortable singing lead or harmonies, she is an accomplished bluegrass, country and western swing guitarist, you can catch her performing most days of the week with one outfit or another in some of Austin’s finest venues.
Sophia released her solo album ‘One Year’ in 2016 and went on to win ‘Western Swing Female’ at the 2018 Ameripolitan awards. Sophia currently fronts her own band who perform regularly around Austin, the set is made up of Johnson’s original songs and drawing on her dynamic interpretations of classics from rock and roll, jump blues, honky tonk, country and swing music.
Sophia co fronts a more roots based combo called Tiger Alley with Katy Cox on fiddle, with whom she performs an eclectic set spanning bluegrass, old time, swing and Americana. In 2021 Sophia partnered with steel guitarist Rose Sinclair and under the band name Ida Red they released an album of twin guitar swing music called ‘Harmony Grits’. The album received much critical acclaim and is cited as the first of its kind by a female twin guitar combo. Sophia is also a founding member of The Women Of Western Swing (The W.O.W.S), an all female super group featuring both Katy Cox and Rose Sinclair, as well as Georgia Parker and Karen Biller. The W.O.W.S specialising in the official state music of Texas, western swing, and have been filling up dance floors across Texas in 2022.
While wearing her ‘side woman’ hat, Sophia is the Tuesday night ‘house’ guitarist at renowned Austin Honky Tonk, The White Horse. On what has become a permanent fixture on the two step dancers weekly calendar, Sophia holds down the lead guitar and harmony vocals chair with two different acts. Firstly at 8pm the Independent Music Award winning songwriter Devin Jake, who performs his original songs and his speciality of ‘Ol’ Lady Country’; the music of Dolly, Patsy, Loretta, & Tammy. Followed at 10.30pm by a late set from Austin Music Award nominated fiddler and vocalist Blake Whitmire whose set comprises of western swing and classic country.
Further career highlights for Sophia include 5 albums recorded with her family band The Toy Hearts, playing guitar for artists such as Nancy & Beth, Sunny Sweeney, Brennen Leigh, Whitney Rose, Rosie Flores, The Carper Family and Mary Battiata. She has toured extensively across the UK, Europe and the USA, some significant recent performances have been at; the Alaska Folk Festival, Sirius XM Outlaw Music Cruise, Newport Folk Festival, and The Grand Old Opry.
Sophia is a powerhouse of tenacity and dedication to her art form, her robust gig schedule reflects her serious commitment to her pursuit of musical excellence. Wether performing solo or as front woman, collaborating with bandmates or being a gun for hire on guitar, Sophia is an engaging and entertaining performer who has been winning hearts and fans across Texas, catch her live, you won’t regret it!
Sophia released her solo album ‘One Year’ in 2016 and went on to win ‘Western Swing Female’ at the 2018 Ameripolitan awards. Sophia currently fronts her own band who perform regularly around Austin, the set is made up of Johnson’s original songs and drawing on her dynamic interpretations of classics from rock and roll, jump blues, honky tonk, country and swing music.
Sophia co fronts a more roots based combo called Tiger Alley with Katy Cox on fiddle, with whom she performs an eclectic set spanning bluegrass, old time, swing and Americana. In 2021 Sophia partnered with steel guitarist Rose Sinclair and under the band name Ida Red they released an album of twin guitar swing music called ‘Harmony Grits’. The album received much critical acclaim and is cited as the first of its kind by a female twin guitar combo. Sophia is also a founding member of The Women Of Western Swing (The W.O.W.S), an all female super group featuring both Katy Cox and Rose Sinclair, as well as Georgia Parker and Karen Biller. The W.O.W.S specialising in the official state music of Texas, western swing, and have been filling up dance floors across Texas in 2022.
While wearing her ‘side woman’ hat, Sophia is the Tuesday night ‘house’ guitarist at renowned Austin Honky Tonk, The White Horse. On what has become a permanent fixture on the two step dancers weekly calendar, Sophia holds down the lead guitar and harmony vocals chair with two different acts. Firstly at 8pm the Independent Music Award winning songwriter Devin Jake, who performs his original songs and his speciality of ‘Ol’ Lady Country’; the music of Dolly, Patsy, Loretta, & Tammy. Followed at 10.30pm by a late set from Austin Music Award nominated fiddler and vocalist Blake Whitmire whose set comprises of western swing and classic country.
Further career highlights for Sophia include 5 albums recorded with her family band The Toy Hearts, playing guitar for artists such as Nancy & Beth, Sunny Sweeney, Brennen Leigh, Whitney Rose, Rosie Flores, The Carper Family and Mary Battiata. She has toured extensively across the UK, Europe and the USA, some significant recent performances have been at; the Alaska Folk Festival, Sirius XM Outlaw Music Cruise, Newport Folk Festival, and The Grand Old Opry.
Sophia is a powerhouse of tenacity and dedication to her art form, her robust gig schedule reflects her serious commitment to her pursuit of musical excellence. Wether performing solo or as front woman, collaborating with bandmates or being a gun for hire on guitar, Sophia is an engaging and entertaining performer who has been winning hearts and fans across Texas, catch her live, you won’t regret it!