McNeil Johnwood has been called an enigma for good reason.

When he was 18 years old, Johnwood was a U.S. Tennis Association Top 10 junior ranked player, yet he came from a broken home with parents sadly unaware of his dominance on the court. Johnwood has gone on to establish two non-profits, and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to promote diversity in tennis, yet he’s struggled with public speaking due to social anxieties. He has a hard time being emotionally open in close relationships, yet he’s a proud family man dedicated to his wife of 35 years.

 At 59, Johnwood had not played in a band or a paid show or gig, yet he’s coming onto the music scene a fully-formed singer-songwriter with an edgy and emotive Americana sensibility. The Memphis-based artist is now releasing his first pair of singles, the fiery and politically-charged “Scarecrow,” and the wide-eyed romantic “Magical.” Both are produced by superstar engineer, producer, and mixer Calvin Lauber (Paramore, Boygenius, Julien Baker).

 “My music comes from my experiences and how I relate in the world. I come from a lot of anguish and pain. These songs are about me pushing back against my fears and self-doubt. I’m sharing it all openly, learning, and evolving,” he shares.

 Johnwood counts Rush , REM, U2, and Elliot Smith as primary influences, though he’s a voracious music listener always soaking up new sounds. Calvin Lauber’s work with Boygenius, and Julien Baker has been a recent inspiration. Johnwood’s lyrics range from social commentary to being intimately confessional. “In songs, I can talk about my values, tell stories, and confide things I have trouble sharing openly—I reveal myself in my songs,” he says.

 Music has been an on and off pursuit for Johnwood. He is a self taught guitarist who has been playing since high school. From his mid 20s until he was 30, Johnwood wrote songs and recorded them on a four-track, but when he had a family he sold all of his equipment to focus on being a provider.

 Johnwood didn’t play for 15 when he spied a guitar in a closet at his best friend’s house. Asking to borrow it, and later buying it, he started playing and writing again. He briefly paused to support his daughter’s musical pursuits which is where Johnwood first encountered producer Calvin Lauber and began learning about the modern music business. Over the past year, Johnwood has returned to music, combing through his back catalog, relearning his old songs while writing new ones, and honing his craft performing at open mics.

 His debut singles are strong introductions to the emotional and thematic span of Johnwood’s artistry. The compelling and timely, “Scarecrow,” is a potent political missive aimed directly at Donald Trump. “I am independent, but that man is a scarecrow—he’s not who he says he is,” Johnwood says. Johnwood’s sharp political commentary throughout the song pulls no punches. One standout passage is: falling down dominoes fall down crossing out truth means nothing now/Stale chips and parties/Hail to the scarecrow old hymns rallies/Jail tits and movies/hail hail to the scarecrow. “Scarecrow,” deftly layered with banjo, ominous electro-ambience, and gorgeous female harmony vocals supporting Johnwood’s soulfully weary vocals, evokes an outlaw country song for fans of modern indie-rock.

 In sharp contrast, “Magical” is a sweetly romantic song about the first time Johnwood saw his wife. This heartfelt indie-folk love song is textured with lonesome lap steel, intriguing atmospherics, crunching guitars, twanging guitars, and dreamy female vocals.

 Up next, Johnwood plans to continue writing, recording, releasing more songs, and cultivating a following through live shows and tours. “I believe in my music. I’ve practiced and worked hard, and I am at a time in my life where I’m ready to go for it,” Johnwood says.

- LB