Born in Aurora, Illinois, Dave Johnston spent his extra-curricular time at the University of Illinois learning banjo. One year after he started, he was out playing gigs. His first ensemble was a group called Giblet Gravy. Some of the members split off with Dave to form The Bluegrassholes which fell apart due to other members differing sense of priorities (i.e.finishing school). Dave decided that he needed to move to the Northwest in order to hone his banjo playing and was eventually drawn to Boulder, Colorado’s acoustic music scene. Yonder Mountain String Band has created further opportunities for Dave to stretch out on the banjo and become an even more progressive and improvisational player. Dave’s goal is to become an ambassador of acoustic related music as well as a respected player within the strict bluegrass idiom.

Dave Rocks:

Stealth Banjos
Gibson Earl Scruggs medium gauge strings
GHS Heavy Gauge Strings
Fishman Rare Earth Pickup
Tone Bone Pre Amp
Blue Chip Thumb Picks