Take the twang and taste of country, the speed of bluegrass, the blazing improvisation of jazz, and you have something that’s utterly transcendental, while still feeling grounded in the roots.
I don’t know folks. Is Johnny Mullenax and his band the best performing musical outfit out there on the planet at the moment, from an instrumental and compositional standpoint at least? It’s sure hard to think of peers or comparables after seeing them burn the stage down at Mile 0 Fest in Key West Friday evening (1-30).Take the twang and taste of country, the speed of bluegrass, the blazing improvisation of jazz, and you have something that’s utterly transcendental, while still feeling grounded in the roots. It’s like the country version of Frank Zappa. It’s mind-blowing, improbable, and infinitely inspiring.Johnny Mullenax is not some new name to the folks who’ve been following him out of Oklahoma. Some were first introduced to him when he was touring with Tennessee Jet before the pandemic. Originally from the Tulsa area, Mullenex started playing guitar starting when he was five. That led him to bluegrass flatpicking competitions and other opportunities growing up, which landed him to an arts magnet school in Tulsa where he started getting his taste in jazz. In January of 2021, Mullenax started a Sunday Bluegrass Brunch residency at the famous Mercury Lounge in Tulsa. It was his blazing musicianship that earned him the respect of his fellow musicians. The Johnny Mullenax Band played Mile 0 Fest in 2025 and made a big impression as well. But it was crammed onto smaller stages like Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, which is where Saving Country Music witnessed them. Being able to stretch out on the main stage made all the difference. From the finale with Hank Williams III’s “Straight To Hell,” to Charlie Daniels, to compositions from jazz great Chick Corea, The Johnny Mullinex Band can do it all, and with incredible confidence, alacrity, and mastery. It’s a collective of ringer musicians who are all aces, including Michael Schembre on fiddle, Paul Wilkes on bass, Luke Calloway on drums, Andrew Bair on keys, and Thomas Trapp on acoustic guitar. Thomas Trapp also happened to catch a record-setting grouper on a Mile 0 Fest fishing excursion earlier in the week.
Every single venue and festival on planet Earth should be moving heaven and earth to get these dudes on their stage. You’re pulling the mother of all boners if these boys rolling through your town, and you’re at home nestled in with Netflix. That’s the reason’ they’re flying out of Key West to open for the Turnpike Troubadours at Billy Bob’s Texas on Sunday (2-1) before flying back to Florida to finish out their tour. They’re also booked at Winter Wondergrass, FloydFest, and the Blue Ox Festival later this year. Johnny Mullenax can’t come more highly recommended. This is definitely one of those bands up want to see in smaller venues when you still have the opportunity. See their tour dates below. To see some video clips from their Mile 0 Fest set, check out Saving Country Music on Instagram.
I love Johnny Mullenax as a matter of fact, I love his whole family. They’re a great people and they love music. I’ve been there quite a few of their picking parties and never had a bad time at any of them. It was always music and fun.
He’s a great young musician with an old soul. Keep doing what you’re doing Johnny. Love always your friend.
Howie James
Source: savingcountrymusic.com