Johnny Burgin

About

Johnny Burgin (born July 17, 1969) is an American Chicago blues guitarist, singer, and harmonica player who has been active since the 1990s. He cut his teeth on Chicago's West Side under blues singer Tail Dragger and later toured with legends such as Sam Lay, Pinetop Perkins, and Billy Boy Arnold. Since 1997 he has released over ten albums on labels including Delmark and Vizztone, and he performs upwards of 200 shows a year across the US, Europe, and Japan. In 2023 he was nominated for a Blues Music Award for Best Traditional Blues Artist.

200+

Shows per year worldwide

10+

Albums released as leader (since 1997)

2023

Blues Music Award nomination (Best Traditional Blues Artist)

#1

Roots Music Report Chicago Blues Chart peak (Johnny Burgin Live, 2019)

What's new

2026-02
Burgin spent two months in Denmark with his wife, stage artist Lotte Arnsbjerg, whom he married in August 2025, and performed with Big Creek Slim and pianist Esben Just.
2026-02
Burgin co-developed a theatrical play, 'The Call of Loneliness', which premiered on February 22, 2026, at Biblioteket Rentemestervej in Copenhagen, with Burgin performing guitar throughout.
2026-02
Burgin announced he will run the Chicago Blues Guitar Workshop from May 31 to June 5, 2026, alongside co-instructors Billy Flynn, Noah Wotherspoon, Aki Kumar, Yoshimi Hirata, and Marty Binder.
2024-04
Burgin released 'Ramblin' From Coast To Coast' on Straight Shooter Records, recorded in Memphis, Dallas, Rochester, and Cincinnati and mixed at Greaseland Studios by Kid Andersen.
2023
Burgin was nominated for a Blues Music Award for Best Traditional Blues Artist.

Tour

TarzanaHealdsburgRichmondFolsomLakewoodColorado SpringsNew OrleansNewportRichmondHaarlem

Tracks

Ramblin' From Coast To CoastTitle track of his 2024 album on Straight Shooter Records, recorded across four US cities

Howlin' at Greaseland2017 Howlin' Wolf tribute album, nominated for Blues Music Award for Best Traditional Blues Recording

Johnny Burgin Live2019 live album featuring Charlie Musselwhite; hit #1 on Roots Music Report Chicago Blues Chart, nominated for Blues Blast Best Live Recording Award

Neoprene Fedora2017 studio album on West Tone with Kid Andersen, Alabama Mike, and Aki Kumar

Greetings from Greaseland2015 album recorded with Kid Andersen and Aki Kumar at Greaseland Studios