JUDE JOHNSTONE

Born in Bar Harbor, Maine, Jude Johnstone began writing songs at about age 8. At 18, she was “discovered” by Bruce Springsteen’s saxophonist, Clarence Clemons. After spending some time in New York and New Jersey under his wing, in 1979, she moved to Los Angeles, where her songs quickly became sought after by other artists.

She has been covered by Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Bette Midler, Johnny Cash, Stevie Nicks, Mary Black, Jennifer Warnes, Trisha Yearwood and more, including a #1 song for Yearwood’s debut album called “The Woman Before Me” which earned her a BMI award.

Her songs then appeared on 8 other Yearwood cds. She also penned the title track to Johnny Cash’s 1997 Grammy winning album “Unchained.”

Jude has released 8 cds of her own that run the gamut from Celtic, Gospel, Americana, to Jazz, Blues, and even Big Band. She has been featured on the CBS Early Show, and NPR Radio’s “Morning Edition.” Her songs have also been on several television shows including “Nurse Jackie”, “Army Wives” and “Lie To Me.”

Jude has opened shows for Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Richard Thompson, Shawn Colvin, Chris Hillman, 10,000 Maniacs, David Crosby and many others and toured Europe under her own name numerous times.

If Jude Johnstone is not yet a musical household name, she sure as hell should be.

Henry Carrigan, No Depression

Turning emotional pain into art is a tricky business. Sometimes I wonder if the end result is worth it. Jude Johnstone makes a good case that it is.

Rodney Crowell

Jude’s fertility, in regards to songwriting, is truly awe inspiring.

Bonnie Raitt

There are certain artists whose songs go so deep it’s like they’re heart surgeons…Jude Johnstone has been able to do all that, and more, for so many years, it’s almost like she has a patent on it.

Bill Bentley
The Morton Report

Jude Johnstone’s ability to fashion the stuff of life seasonedemotions into handsomely crafted, lyrically attractive song fare is as remarkable as it is reliable”

Duane Verh
Roots Music

…She’s patently a master at capturing the heart’s dark and desperate moments, just as she’s capable of encouraging belief in its resurrection.

Mike Davies, Roots and Branches/The Beat