Mark Johnson and Emory Lester

Mark Johnson: has revolutionized the art of clawhammer banjo by adapting its techniques and rhythms to the demands of playing in a bluegrass ensemble. He calls his banjo style Clawgrass. He has performed and recorded with many bluegrass and acoustic luminaries on the music scene today and is also a gifted teacher and songwriter. . His second recording — Acoustic Rising with Emory Lester, released on the Crossroads/Mt. Home Record Label — was nominated by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in 2007 as Instrumental Album of the Year. Marks music was used in the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan television commercial and in September of 2012, Mark was named as the third annual winner of the prestigious Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music Award and has performed his clawhammer banjo style on the Late Show with David Letterman. Mark has conducted countless Clawgrass/Clawhammer banjo workshops at bluegrass and acoustic music camps and festivals across the country, and continues to teach banjo from his home in Dunnellon, Fl.

Mark Johnson and Emory Lester returned from a very successful, sold out, 2015 European Tour together performing in Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Italy.

Now that the global pandemic travel restrictions are lifting, Mark and Emory are now in the planning stages for the 2022 touring season with a full touring schedule.

Mark has endorsed Deering Banjos for the last 26 years and together with the Deering Banjo Company, they have created one if the finest banjos on the market today. It is called the Deering/ Mark Johnson “Clawgrass” Model Banjo and is owned and played by celebrities and parking lot pickers around the world.

This banjo was so successful, in 2016, the Deering Banjo Company has released the new “Clawgrass No.2” that sounds just as good but more affordable.

Mark Johnson has made several appearance’s at the Grand Old Opry, with the most recent appearance in the Spring of 2017 with Opry Star Mike Snider

And Mark and Emory have released their new CD Project Mark Johnson & Emory Lester “Acoustic Milestones 20 years” and are enjoying Great radio exposure from the folks at Sirrus XM “Bluegrass Junction” radio Program.

Emory Lester