Irion, Johnny / Driving Friend
Album: Driving Friend   Collection:General
Artist:Irion, Johnny   Added:Jul 2018
Label:Blackwing Records  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2018-08-02 Pull Date: 2018-10-04
Week Ending: Oct 7 Sep 30 Sep 16 Sep 2 Aug 19
Airplays: 1 2 1 1 1

Recent Airplay
1. Aug 10, 2021: Butter and Jams (rebroadcast from Aug 16, 2018)
Cabin Fever
4. Sep 25, 2018: Tuesday Morning Drive
Once In A While
2. Oct 02, 2018: Tuesday Morning Drive
Once In A While
5. Sep 15, 2018: FMF
Once In A While
3. Sep 27, 2018: Butter and Jams
Cabin Fever
6. Aug 31, 2018: The Morning Show
Once In A While

Album Review
Kim Walter
Reviewed 2018-08-07

Johnny Irion, Driving Friend
Label: Blackwing Music
Reviewed by: Kim Walter, July 2018

I had a hard time deciding what genre to classify this as, and I thought I had decided on country, but as I listen again as I write this I might be changing my mind. Hmm.. Johnny is a descendent of John Steinbeck and married into the hallowed Guthrie family of folk music. His music really has elements of country, singer/songwriter, folk rock, and even twinges of both progressive and modern rock. Overall, he is an impressively versatile performer with a multitude of sounds. I guess the appropriate classification is Americana. Note: Blackwing drawing pencils produced this album; interestingly, both John Steinbeck and Steven Sondheim favor/ed Blackwing pencils for incredible writing and composing. Steinbeck used up a certain number (like 24!!!) each day while writing “The Grapes of Wrath.” Blackwing also runs a foundation that supports keeping music in schools .Features members of Dawes, Wilco and the Mother Hips. Best for me: 2, 3, **6, 9

4:37 - slow/med - a mood piece, feels like a walk at sunset on the beach
*3:37 - slow/med - gentle, flowing song about his 19 year marriage
*5:02 - slow/med - more upbeat, localized to so cal
3:40 - slow/med - mellow indie/Americana vibe
3:20 - slow - gentle tune inspired by his daughter’s desire to go fishin’, DREAMY
**4:08 - med - interesting: rock base, story, vocal play: TRY IT! A little funky
3:00 - slow - gentle and flowing, sounds like the title- “angels fly”
3:32 - slow/med - spiritual lyrics set to upbeat tune
*2:49 - slow/med - Title track, nice, gentle rock song
3:48 - slow/med - about life on the road and the passage of time








Track Listing
1. Emily's   6. Cabin Fever
2. Salvage The Day   7. Angels Fly
3. Palm Springs   8. Will You Never Be Left Behind?
4. Once In A While   9. Driving Friend
5. Fishin' Pole   10. Forever Wingman