Courtney Johnson (musician)

Courtney Johnson
Born(1939-12-20)December 20, 1939
Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky US
DiedJune 6, 1996(1996-06-06) (aged 56)
Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky, US
GenresNewgrass, Bluegrass music
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Banjo, guitar
Years active1964–96
LabelsStarday, Flying Fish
Formerly ofNew Grass Revival, Bluegrass Alliance

Courtney Johnson (December 20, 1939 – June 6, 1996) was an American banjo player, best known for his work as an original member of the band New Grass Revival. Influenced by Ralph Stanley and his Clinch Mountain Boys, Johnson is often considered to be an inventor of the newgrass style of banjo playing, polished and improved later on by such personalities as Béla Fleck, Alison Brown, Scott Vestal of Sam Bush Band and Jens Krüger of Kruger Brothers.[1]