Video Premiere: Jeremiah Johnson ‘Hot Diggity Dog’

Jeremiah Johnson, Hot Diggity Dog, photo

Photo: Jeremiah Johnson by Dawn Wilcox, Hot Diggity Dog

We are pleased to exclusively premiere Jeremiah Johnson’s video “Hot Diggity Dog” from his new album HI-FI-DRIVE BY out on Ruf Records. The St. Louis-born roots music guitarist, singer and songwriter is in career-best form on his new album.

“Hot Diggity Dog is my nod to the great JJ Cale with some swampy wah-wah lead guitar to go along with the classic country blues rhythm section. A bluesy, swampy, toe-tapping sing-along, with a heavyweight hook! I sure hope you enjoy this video as much as we enjoyed making it.”- Jeremiah Johnson

HI-FI-DRIVE BY is a high-fidelity sonic explosion that combines Johnson’s master guitar work, songwriting skills and powerful vocals into ten brilliant tracks. The video was filmed in Sulpher Springs, TX and produced by Johnson and the band.

“Hot Diggity Dog” is a funky, clap-back blues aimed at someone who dumped you and is now suddenly coming back around. Johnson’s vocal delivery is a full-on side eye you can hear and he’s never sounded better. Johnson’s guitar work is outstanding and ranges from a cool and twangy intro lick to overdriven solos full of sweet phrases. Great fun for all blues fans, this one. Play it loud and let the groove make you move!

Watch “Hot Diggity Dog”

The band includes Jeremiah Johnson on lead vocals and lead guitar, Emily Wallace and Paul Niehaus IV on backing vocals, Jeremiah Johnson and Tom Maloney on rhythm guitar, Joe Meyer on drums, Paul Niehaus IV on bass, Frank Bauer on tenor sax, Kasimu Taylor on trumpet, Kevin O’Connor on bari sax, Paul Neihaus IV on Wurlitzer, Tony Antonelli on percussion.

The album features Grammy nominee Victor Wainwright on piano and harmonica master Brandon Santini, a five-time BMA nominee.

Jeremiah Johnson’s guitar skills are tastefully explosive, his vocals engaging and wise, and his writing is as good or better than anyone else working today. He’s hit the Billboard Blues charts five times with the albums GRIND (#8 November, 2015), Blues Heart Attack (#5 August, 2016), Straitjacket (#6 August, 2018), Heavens to Betsy (#1 April, 2020), and Unemployed Highly Annoyed (#4 November, 2020). He’s spent the last four years touring the USA and Europe supporting guitar man Mike Zito and as a headliner. Johnson is one of the most entertaining and listenable roots artists to emerge in recent times and, if you’re cool, you’re already in the know.

Every song on HI-FI DRIVE BY is carefully crafted with multiple layers of tasty musicianship. It taps into the talents of Johnson’s mentors and the extremely talented musicians. Johnson wanted to go back to the blues and rock n roll basics, reaching out to a St. Louis Legend, Tom Maloney (Co-Producer), for inspiration. In addition, Johnson tapped into the wide range of musical talents of Paul Niehaus IV (Producer).

With Paul’s throw back production style and years of experience working with a wide variety of performing artists, it proved to be a perfect combination. Johnson, Tom, and Paul began assembling some of the best horn players, backing vocalists and percussionist in St. Louis, to create the wonderful thick layers of musicianship. This is the first release Johnson has worked with co-writers (Maloney and Niehaus IV. Johnson’s best album yet.