Biography

-2008-

James “Super Chikan” Johnson is today’s Delta Bluesman, hatched in Clarksdale, Mississippi, just like the Blues itself. He has released five acclaimed albums and his newest, “Sum Mo Chikan” reveals both the
traditions he learned there and his own distinctive personality. One of his trademarks is the spontaneous fun and humor he brings to his music, both live and recorded. Whenever you hear him, it!s 3 a.m. Sunday morning in a crowded roadhouse.

Super Chikan is recognized worldwide as one of today!s most entertaining and authentic Blues performers. He was nominated for a Best New Artist W.C. Handy Award in 1998, received five Living Blues Awards, an Excellence in Performance Governor!s Award from Mexico City, and a Mississippi Governor!s Award for Excellence in the Arts. That’s a long way to go with cluckin! and pluckin!. Another Super Chikan trademark is his “chik-can-tars” – he crafts ornate, funky gas can and broomstick stringed instruments on which he paints scenes from the Delta. They are symbols of a life of making do with what he had in order to give voice to his talent, as authentic and original as the Blues itself. He also plays the hell out of more conventional electric guitars.

When he was a boy, he tried to talk to chickens and understand their fascinating sounds. He earned his “Chikan Boy” nickname. As he grew up with the sounds of the barnyard and Blues all around him, he learned to play and was inspired by Jimmy Reed, Elmore James, Lightnin! Hopkins, and Slim Harpo. Soon he was performing with his uncle, Big Jack Johnson, and Sam Carr, Frank Frost, Wesley Jefferson, and Jackie Brenston.

Growing as a musician, Super Chikan combined his influences and stage experience with his own personality and found his ownoriginal voice and approach. He is poised to build on his accomplishments and talent with his most powerful CD yet. “Sum’ Mo’ Chikan” was recorded at legendary producer Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios in Memphis and is not only the latest but the most fully-realized expression of his musical personality.

Super Chikan crows, “I'm left brained, left minded, left eyed, left handed,and left out!" He can't say the "left out" part anymore. He has brought his roadhouse show to concerts and clubs all over the world, and “Sum' Mo' Chikan” will bring him new friends and fans.