Editing Jonny Lang

{{Short description|American singer, songwriter (born 1981)}}
{{For|other people named John Lang|John Lang (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{BLP sources|date=October 2013}}
{{Tone|date=May 2020}}
{{Update|date=August 2014}}}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background   = solo_singer
| instrument   = [[Human voice|Vocals]], [[guitar]]
| birth_name = Jon Gordon Langseth Jr.
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1981|01|29}}
| birth_place         = [[Fargo, North Dakota]], U.S.
| name         = Jonny Lang
| image        = Jonny Lang (gospel singer).jpg
| caption      = Lang in 2007
| spouse = {{marriage|Haylie Johnson|2001}}
| genre        = [[Blues]], [[Gospel music|gospel]], [[rock music|rock]]
| label        = [[A&M Records|A&M]], [[Concord Music Group|Concord International]], [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]
| years_active = 1995–2021
|website     = {{URL|www.jonnylang.com/}}
}}

'''Jon Gordon Langseth Jr.''' (born January 29, 1981), known as '''Jonny Lang''', is an American [[blues]], [[Gospel music|gospel]], [[rock music|rock]] singer, songwriter, and guitarist.<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=733}}</ref> He has recorded five albums that have charted on the top 50 of the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart and won a [[Grammy Award]] for ''Turn Around''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/jonny-lang/11809 |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820012615/https://www.grammy.com/artists/jonny-lang/11809 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Biography==
Jonny Lang was born Jon Gordon Langseth Jr. in [[Fargo, North Dakota]] and is of Norwegian descent.<ref name="Larkin"/> He started playing the guitar for his friends at age 12. He played a wide variety of music. He also performed a rendition of [[Jimi Hendrix]]'s version of the [[Star-Spangled Banner|National Anthem]]. Soon after his father took him to see the Bad Medicine Blues Band, one of the few blues bands in Fargo, Lang started taking guitar lessons from Ted Larsen, the band's guitar player. Several months after Lang began, he joined the band,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jonny Lang Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jonny-lang-mn0000268700 |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref> which was then renamed Kid Jonny Lang & The Big Bang. Two years later, [[A&M Records]], who had signed [[Janet Jackson]] and [[Soundgarden]], was invited to come to see him at a live performance at Bunkers Bar in Minneapolis, and he was signed to the label in 1996, becoming the latest in a trend of young blues guitarists that then included [[Kenny Wayne Shepherd]] and [[Derek Trucks]].<ref name="Larkin"/> The band moved to [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]], and independently released the album ''[[Smokin (Jonny Lang album)|Smokin]]''' when Lang was 14.<ref name="Larkin"/> He released ''[[Lie to Me (album)|Lie to Me]]'' on January 28, 1997 and its title track would go on to become his most successful.<ref name="Larkin"/> The next album, ''[[Wander This World|Wander this World]]'', was released on October 20, 1998, and earned a Grammy nomination. This was followed by the more soulful ''Long Time Coming'' on October 14, 2003. Lang also made a cover of [[Edgar Winter]]'s "Dying to Live". Lang's 2006 album, the gospel-influenced ''[[Turn Around (album)|Turn Around]]'', won him his first [[Grammy Award]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/jonny-lang|title=Jonny Lang|date=June 4, 2019|website=Grammy.com|access-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref>

In his earliest performing years, Lang always performed [[barefoot]] on stage because "it feels good" and once in tribute to [[Luther Allison]], a friend who had recently died. He has since given up that practice, after several near-accidents and electric shocks.

Lang made a cameo appearance in the 1998 film ''[[Blues Brothers 2000]],'' as a janitor. In 1999, he was selected by the newly elected Minnesota Governor [[Jesse Ventura]]. Later that year, he was invited to play at the [[White House]] for [[Bill Clinton|President Bill Clinton]] and the first lady, [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1425644/jonny-lang-plays-for-clintons-sets-dates-with-jeff-beck/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714223842/http://www.mtv.com/news/1425644/jonny-lang-plays-for-clintons-sets-dates-with-jeff-beck/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2019|title=Jonny Lang Plays For Clintons, Sets Dates With Jeff Beck|website=Mtv.com|access-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref>  In 2004, [[Eric Clapton]] asked Lang to play at the [[Crossroads Guitar Festival]] to raise money for the Crossroads Centre Antigua. In more than ten years on the road, Lang has toured with many notable artists such as [[the Rolling Stones]], [[Buddy Guy]], [[Beth Hart]], [[Aerosmith]], [[B.B. King]], [[Blues Traveler]], [[Jeff Beck]] and [[Sting (musician)|Sting]].

Lang also appears regularly as a part of the Experience Hendrix Tour, along with many other well-known guitarists to pay tribute to the deceased guitar legend.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Unknown |date=2013-07-14 |title=Musician By Night: Jonny Lang . . . |url=https://musicianbynight.blogspot.com/2013/07/jonny-lang.html |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Musician By Night}}</ref>

{{expand section|date=August 2014}}

On September 17, 2013, Lang released his first studio album in seven years, ''Fight for My Soul''.

''Signs'' was released on September 1, 2017 in Europe, and on September 8, in North America.

On January 12, 2021, it was announced that all confirmed concert dates were canceled until further notice because of a medical issue that affects Lang's singing.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Jonny Lang Cancels All Confirmed Appearances |url=https://jonnylang.com/jonny-lang-cancels-all-confirmed-appearances/ |access-date=January 18, 2021}}</ref>

==Musical equipment==
Jonny Lang, since the beginning with The Big Bang, has used a 1972 [[Fender Telecaster Thinline]] made by the Fender Custom Shop, as well as a 1958 reissue custom shop [[Gibson Les Paul]] in more recent years as his sound and style have grown and flourished. His original Custom Shop Tele - with a black flamed maple top, flamed maple neck, pearl signature inlay and his trademark pinup girl character on the aft body was stolen some years ago.  He has added a couple more custom thin-line teles-all carrying the basic aesthetic motif, but with varying colors from a burnt orange/amber to a deep violet throughout the years since.  The 1972 Fender Telecaster Thin line is a semi-hollow spruce body, maple top, and a maple neck and fretboard. He has not, however, sported the pearl "Jonny Lang" signature inlay since his original custom tele, but still stays true to his WWII-style pinup girl at body artwork. Jonny's Telecasters have three [[Bill Lawrence (guitar maker)|Bill Lawrence]] Pickups (L500 Neck, L500XL Bridge) with a 5-way pickup switch and a coil tap for accessing a single-coil tone. On his pedalboard for his 2014 tour was the Analog Man [[King of Tone]], a Whirlwind The Bomb boost, a Visual Sound V2 Route 808, a [[Fulltone]] Ultimate Octave, a JAM Pedals Tube Dreamer, and a [[Boss Corporation|Boss]] AW-3 Dynamic Wah. On this tour, he played his Custom Shop Tele and the 1958 reissue Custom Shop Gibson Les Paul through a pair of modified Fender ’65 [[Deluxe Reverb]] amps.<ref name="Rig Rundown: Jonny Lang">{{cite web|url=http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/20415-rig-rundown-jonny-lang |title=Rig Rundown: Jonny Lang |publisher=PremierGuitar.com |access-date=November 4, 2015}}</ref> Lang also used an Arbiter [[Fuzz Face]] and an [[Electro-Harmonix]] POG for The Experience Hendrix tour. Lang has also used Audio tech Guitar Products ABC Selector CCM on his 2005 acoustic tour.

The guitar featured on the cover of ''Lie to Me'' is not a Telecaster but an original Fender [[Fender Esquire|Esquire]].  Upon filming the music video for the title track "Lie to Me" which took place in a San Francisco music store, the store owner suggested Lang play the Esquire in the video.  Lang fell in love with the guitar and it was purchased and given to him as a gift.  He continues to use it, but not as often as his Custom Shop Telecaster and Signature Series Les Paul.<ref name="Rig Rundown: Jonny Lang"/>

==Band personnel==
From 1993 to 1996, Lang's backing band was the Big Bang. This group consisted of three founding members of the Bad Medicine Blues Band: Ted "Lightnin' Boy" Larsen on guitar, his brother Michael Rey Larsen on drums, and Jeff Hayenga on bass. Keyboardist Bruce McCabe joined The Big Bang in 1995 after Lang and this young band from Fargo impressed him with their set opening for McCabe's band at the time, The Hoopsnakes.{{Citation needed|date=March 2016}}

From 1996 to 2004, Lang's backing band included Paul Diethelm on guitar, Bruce McCabe on keyboards, Doug Nelson on bass and Billy Thommes on drums. Also appearing on keyboards during 2003 and 2004 was Donnie La Marca, filling in for McCabe during his break from touring. Nelson was killed in a traffic accident in 2000 and was replaced by Billy Franze. Franze was in turn replaced by Jim Anton in 2003. Saxophone player [[David Eiland]] was added in 2000, providing Lang with a foil for extended instrumental jams. In 2005, Lang replaced the entire lineup, except for Anton, and embarked on an acoustic tour. He performed with Wendy Alane Wright at the 2000 pre-Grammy party. Guitarist [[Reeve Carney]] was the band's opening act for several shows in 2005, as well as for the 2006 and 2007 tours.{{Citation needed|date=March 2016}}

The recent band lineup includes Barry Alexander<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zildjian.com/Artists/A/Barry-Alexander-II |title=Zildjian Artists&#124;Barry Alexander II Artist Page |publisher=Zildjian.com |access-date=November 4, 2015}}</ref> from Minneapolis on drums, Jim Anton from Minneapolis on bass, Akil Thompson from Nashville on rhythm guitar, Dwan Hill from Nashville on keys, Missi Hale from Los Angeles on background vocals. {{Citation needed|date=March 2016}}

As of 2017, Lang's band line up was Barry Alexander on drums, Jim Anton on bass, Tyrus Sass on keyboards and Zane Carney on rhythm guitar.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://longislandweekly.com/jonny-lang-brings-soul-blues-extraordinary-guitar-work-paramount/|title=Jonny Lang Brings Soul, Blues And Extraordinary Guitar Work to the Paramount - Long Island Weekly|date=October 21, 2017|work=Long Island Weekly|access-date=October 23, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
===Family===
Lang married former ''[[Kids Incorporated]]'' cast member Haylie Johnson on June 8, 2001, making him the brother-in-law of actress [[Ashley Johnson (actress)|Ashley Johnson]]. Lang and his wife share the same birthday, although she is one year older. They live in [[Los Angeles]] and have five children.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wiederhorn|first1=Jon|title=Jonny Lang Recalls Debilitating Demons on 'Fight for My Soul'|url=https://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/jonny-lang-recalls-debilitating-demons-fight-soul-034526270.html|website=Musicyahoo.com|access-date=October 3, 2013}}</ref>

Lang has two older sisters, Stephanie and Heidi Jo. He has one younger sister, Jessica "Jesse" Langseth, who was a contestant on season 8 of ''[[American Idol]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=C.J. Hangin' with Jesse Langseth A couple minutes with Jesse Langseth, now off "American Idol." |url=https://video.startribune.com/c-j-hangin-with-jesse-langseth/41219542/ |website=video.startribune.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Former American 'Idol' contestant Jesse Langseth arrested in Minneapolis |url=https://www.dl-online.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/former-american-idol-contestant-jesse-langseth-arrested-in-minneapolis |website=www.dl-online.com|date=May 4, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Minnesotan Jesse Langseth out of Idol finals, but she could return |url=https://www.wctrib.com/news/minnesotan-jesse-langseth-out-of-idol-finals-but-she-could-return |website=www.wctrib.com|date=February 27, 2009 }}</ref>

=== Conversion to Christianity ===
Lang became a [[Christians|Christian]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Music/2006/11/Jonny-Lang-Fame-Is-An-Illusion.aspx?p=1 |title=Jonny Lang, Guitartist Johnny Lang, Blues guitarist Johnny Lang, Christian Johnny Lang |publisher=Beliefnet.com |date=February 17, 2011 |access-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref><ref name="crossrhythms1">{{cite web|url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Jonny_Lang_From_the_Blues_Brothers_to_Christian_brother/27855/p1/ |title=Jonny Lang: From the Blues Brothers to Christian brother - Jonny Lang |publisher=Crossrhythms.co.uk |date=July 3, 2007 |access-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref> In an interview with [[Sara Groves]] in ''[[Christianity Today]]'', Lang gave details about his conversion, assuring her that he had had a supernatural experience with the [[Holy Ghost]].<ref name="crossrhythms1"/> In his own words, he has said that he formerly "hated [[Christianity]]"<ref>{{cite web|author=Sara Groves |url=http://www.crosswalk.com/11618032/ |title='I Hated Christianity' - Sara Groves |publisher=Crosswalk.com |date=September 25, 2006 |access-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref> and "despised the things of God", but now he wants to share with others about [[Jesus]]' love.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newreleasetoday.com/article.php?article_id=8 |title=Turning It Around &#124; An Exclusive Interview With Jonny Lang |publisher=NewReleaseToday.com |access-date=August 16, 2018}}</ref>

The songs "Only a Man" and "Thankful" from his album ''[[Turn Around (album)|Turn Around]]'', are about his belief in God. He has also co-written a couple of songs with [[contemporary Christian music]] artist [[Steven Curtis Chapman]], notably "My Love Remains".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://breathecast.christianpost.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Jonny.Lang/Interview-466_1333.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200716/http://breathecast.christianpost.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Jonny.Lang/Interview-466_1333.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2013|title=::: BREATHEcast.com ::: Christian Artist Database, Bios, News, Albums, Concert Dates. - Jonny Lang Interview!|date=October 29, 2013|access-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref>

==Discography==
===Studio albums===
* ''[[Smokin (Jonny Lang album)|Smokin]]''' (1995)
* ''[[Lie to Me (album)|Lie to Me]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Wander This World]]'' (1998) 
* ''[[Long Time Coming (Jonny Lang album)|Long Time Coming]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Turn Around (album)|Turn Around]]'' (2006) 
* ''[[Fight for My Soul]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Signs (Jonny Lang album)|Signs]]'' (2017)

=== Live albums ===

* ''Live at the Ryman'' (2009)

===Guest appearances===
{{Div col|colwidth=50em}}
* 1997: ''[[A Very Special Christmas 3]]'' album - by various artists, performed on track "[[Santa Claus Is Back in Town]]".
* 1998: ''[[Blues Brothers 2000 (soundtrack)|Blues Brothers 2000]]'' original soundtrack - by various artists, performed on track "634–5789".
* 1998: ''Heavy Love'' album - by [[Buddy Guy]], performed on track "Midnight Train".
* 1999: ''[[Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions]]'' album - by [[Shannon Curfman]], performed on multiple tracks and co-wrote "Love Me Like That".
* 1999: ''[[For Love of the Game (film)|For Love of the Game]]'' original soundtrack, performed on track "[[Paint It Black]]".
* 2000: ''It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues'' original cast recording, performed on tracks "Someone Else is Steppin' In" and "The Thrill is Gone".
* 2000: ''This Time Around'' album by [[Hanson (band)|Hanson]], performed on tracks "You Never Know," "Runaway Run," and "Hand in Hand."
* 2000: ''[[Milk Cow Blues (album)|Milk Cow Blues]]'' album - by [[Willie Nelson]], performed on tracks "Rainy Day Blues" and "[[Ain't Nobody's Business]]".
* 2001: ''Been a Long Time'' album - by [[Double Trouble (band)|Double Trouble]], performed on track "Ground Hog Day" with [[Gordie Johnson]] of [[Big Sugar (band)|Big Sugar]].
* 2001: ''Ash Wednesday Blues'' album - by [[Anders Osborne]], performed on tracks "Snake Bit Again", "Soul Livin'", "Me & Lola", "Aim Way High", and "Improvise".
* 2004: ''All Things New'' album - by [[Steven Curtis Chapman]], performed on track "Only Getting Started".
* 2004: ''Eric Clapton: Crossroads Guitar Festival'', performed on track "Give Me Up Again".
* 2005: ''[[Possibilities (album)|Possibilities]]'' album - by [[Herbie Hancock]], performed on track "[[When Love Comes to Town]]" with [[Joss Stone]].
* 2007: ''[[A Deeper Level]]'' album - by [[Israel Houghton]], performed on track "You Are Not Forgotten".
* 2009: ''[[Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration|Oh Happy Day]]'' album - by various artists, performed on track "I Believe" with the [[Fisk Jubilee Singers]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSTRE52Q6WQ20090327|title=Jon Bon Jovi, Queen Latifah go gospel for "Day"|date=March 27, 2009|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Lang performed the song live on [[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]] on April 16, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/video/episodes/#vid=1087770|title=NBC Video Rewind|date=April 16, 2009|publisher=NBC|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324224655/http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/video/episodes/#vid=1087770|archive-date=March 24, 2009}}</ref>
* 2009: ''[[Lines, Vines and Trying Times]]'' album - by [[Jonas Brothers]], performed on track "Hey Baby".
* 2010: ''Up Close'' album - by [[Eric Johnson (guitarist, born 1954)|Eric Johnson]], performed on track "Austin".<ref>{{cite web|author=Joe Bosso |url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/ask-musicradar-submit-your-questions-for-eric-johnson-295698 |title=Ask MusicRadar: submit your questions for Eric Johnson &#124; Guitar News |date=November 11, 2010 |publisher=MusicRadar |access-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref>
* 2010: ''What We Want, What We Get'' album - by [[Dave Barnes]], performed on track "What I Need".
* 2010: ''6 String Theory'' album - by [[Lee Ritenour]], performed on track "Why I Sing The Blues" with B.B. King and Vince Gill.
* 2010: ''[[Memphis Blues (album)|Memphis Blues]]'' album - by [[Cyndi Lauper]], performed on tracks "How Blue Can You Get?" and "Crossroads".
* 2010: ''[[Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time]]'' album - by [[Santana (band)|Santana]], performed on track "I Ain't Superstitious".
* 2010: ''[[Crossroads Guitar Festival|Eric Clapton: Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010]]'' album - by various artists, performed on tracks "[[Five Long Years]]" and "[[Miss You (The Rolling Stones song)|Miss You]]" with [[Buddy Guy]] and [[Ronnie Wood]].
* 2011: ''[[ZZ Top: A Tribute from Friends]]'' album - by various artists, performed on track "[[Sharp Dressed Man]]" as the M.O.B. with [[Mick Fleetwood]], [[Steven Tyler]] and [[John McVie]].
* 2012: ''Featuring Mato Nanji'' album - by Indigenous, performed on track "Free Yourself, Free Your Mind".
* 2012: ''Show Me Love'' album - by V Reyes, performed on track "Man Enough", also featuring Tim Lang.
* 2013: ''Still Climbing'' album - by Leslie West, performed on track "When a Man Loves a Woman."
{{div col end}}

==Filmography==
* 1997: ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'' - 1 episode, uncredited performer
* 1998: ''[[Blues Brothers 2000]]'' - the custodian
* 1998: ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]'' - episode "[[In Ramada Da Vida]]" ([[Cameo appearance|cameo]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/the-drew-carey-show/show/133/episode_guide.html&season=4 |title=The Drew Carey Show - Episode Guide|publisher=TV.com|access-date=February 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203071224/http://www.tv.com/the-drew-carey-show/show/133/episode_guide.html%26season%3D4 |archive-date=February 3, 2009}}</ref>
* 2008: ''Jonny Lang Live at [[Montreux Jazz Festival|Montreux 1999]]'' DVD

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Discogs artist|artist=Jonny Lang|name=Jonny Lang}}
* {{IMDb name}}

{{Jonny Lang}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lang, Jonny}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American singers]]
[[Category:American blues guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American blues singers]]
[[Category:American gospel singers]]
[[Category:Converts to Christianity]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Singers from North Dakota]]
[[Category:People from Fargo, North Dakota]]
[[Category:Songwriters from North Dakota]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:Guitarists from North Dakota]]
[[Category:American people of Norwegian descent]]
[[Category:American male songwriters]]
[[Category:Provogue Records artists]]