Johnny Dowd

New York-based artist Johnny Dowd is an alternative country musician whose style spans the genres of experimental, noise and rock. Dowd played with The Jokers in the 1970s and Neon Baptist in the 1980s before recording solo material in 1995. His home-recorded demo tape Wrong Side of Memphis was self-released and re-released to critical acclaim in 1997 with the Checkered Past label. For the next decade, Dowd released several successful albums, including his 2006 effort Cruel Words, which went on to win the Alternative Country Award at the Independent Music Awards. He continues to release music as a solo artist and with his country-rock bands Hellwood and Black Elastic.