“When you think of Blues in a traditional sense or its influence on modern music, it will always be relevant. It’s about the human quality of expression. That’s an uphill fight in the modern world. But the initial spark that got me excited as a little boy is still there. It’s important to pass that fire on to a new generation.”

Johnny Stachela: American Blues Stroll

Johnny Stachela is a highly regarded rock guitarist and singer/songwriter, born, raised, and residing in Los Angeles. Stachela is, perhaps, best known for his acclaimed slide-guitar work as a founding member of both The Allman Betts Band, and Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel, as well as for his scintillating onstage collaborations with guitar icons Derek Trucks, Slash, Marcus King, Billy Strings, and Mike Campbell, among many others. Recently released the first single “All Because Of You” from Stachela’s forthcoming EP, The Stroll, set for release in the summer of 2025, showcases the musician’s life-long love affair with the blues. 

(Johnny Stachela, highly regarded rock guitarist and singer/songwriter /  Photo © by Visual Thought)

With his well-crafted style of bottleneck slide evoking favorable comparisons to his heroes -influenced and inspired, never imitating- Johnny Stachela has become one of the more highly respected guitarists in modern blues and rock. 

Interview by Michael Limnios                         Special Thanks: Johnny Stachela

What moment changed your music life the most?

In 2018, Duane Betts and I partnered as guests on Devon Allman’s tour. I had no other choice but to ditch my day job and hit the road full-time. It was a risky move that quickly evolved into the Allman Betts Band and, subsequently, opened up a whole new world for me. 

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

I listen to all kinds of different music across almost every genre. Almost all of it is rooted in American Blues, to some degree. It’s about the feeling. That emotional connection is something I gravitate towards, and I try to pull from it when I’m playing music. Technique and skill are very important, but soul is everything. 

Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career (gigs, jams, studio sessions) that you would like to tell us about?!

Music has been a lifelong pursuit. In recent memory, I’ve been fortunate to experience some of my biggest dreams. Co-founding the Allman Betts Band and Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel has afforded the opportunity to jam on stage with Derek Trucks, Slash, Marcus King, Billy Strings, Mike Campbell, and countless others. I’ve also been fortunate enough to record two albums at Muscle Shoals, an album at Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi’s Swamp Raga studio, and, most recently, the new Duane Betts record with producer Dave Cobb. Sometimes you have to stop and pinch yourself!

”There is too much political division in America, and with social media, it’s spiraling out of control. Music is meant to bring people together. It’s pretty obvious who’s on the right side of history, if you pay attention to your favorite artists’ songs. Some of the greatest periods in music came out of political turmoil.” (Johnny Stachela, one of the more highly respected musicians / Photo © by Allison Morgan)

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

That’s an interesting question. The hardest obstacle to get around nowadays is that there’s too much music. I find myself constantly weeding through all of it. Some of my current favorites include Theo Lawrence, McKinley James, and the Cactus Blossoms. Those artists are all true keepers of the flame. 

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

There is too much political division in America, and with social media, it’s spiraling out of control. Music is meant to bring people together. It’s pretty obvious who’s on the right side of history, if you pay attention to your favorite artists’ songs. Some of the greatest periods in music came out of political turmoil.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

I’ve always been a dreamer but there was a point where I wasn’t so sure I would ever get there. The important lesson is perseverance. Never give up and stick to your true path. The most important lesson I learned is that struggle is the preparation for those fairytale moments. 

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

Last summer I went to Nashville and recorded my forthcoming Blues EP, The Stroll. Blues has always been my true love. My good friend, JD Simo, produced the tracks at his House of Grease studio. We really captured that old school sound and spirit of 1950s Blues and beyond. I’m excited about it, so hopefully others will be too.

”I listen to all kinds of different music across almost every genre. Almost all of it is rooted in American Blues, to some degree. It’s about the feeling. That emotional connection is something I gravitate towards, and I try to pull from it when I’m playing music. Technique and skill are very important, but soul is everything.”

(Johnny Stachela / Photo © by Visual Thought)

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

The blues to me has always been about the feeling. And that’s what I loved about it. Some people think the blues are sad, but for me it’s the release of emotion into musical expression. The blues is honest. It’s life. It’s so real. There’s so much feeling. There is comfort in knowing that others have the same pain. We’re all in it together.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues?

When you think of Blues in a traditional sense or its influence on modern music, it will always be relevant. It’s about the human quality of expression. That’s an uphill fight in the modern world. But the initial spark that got me excited as a little boy is still there. It’s important to pass that fire on to a new generation.

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