Johnny Moore has been playing music since they had band names like "Air Traffic" and changed clothes between live sets. A talented lyricist with a critical eye on the human condition, his songs display an appreciation for word play and wit while offering hummable tunes and great musicianship. His music is always fun and often surprising in its depth -- lyrically, instrumentally or, most often, both. BIO A Montana native, Johnny grew up in Great Falls. He started playing music at an early age, taking those classical piano lessons that all kids would rather avoid. By middle school, he had dropped piano and picked up the bass guitar, forming a 60s band (literally) that lasted through high school. Johnny left Montana to attend college at Notre Dame. While there, he played in a succession of bands with names like Her Latest Flame, The Hash Brown Blues Band, and Fat Chance. Upon returning to Montana, Johnny also returned to the piano. While living in a small town in the mid-70s, he formed Whistlin' Dixie, a band that lasted for several years. After moving to Helena in 1987, he was in on the formation of Diamond City, a blues-rock band that released an album in 1995, "Don't Miss the Movie." Since Diamond City disbanded, Johnny has played with several bands: Little Annie Ohio and the Altar Boys Gone Bad, Jah Provide, The Sonic Boomers, The Vintage Band, and a jazz group called The Ersatz Brothers. Throughout this time, Johnny kept his hand in composing songs, favoring diverse influences like Randy Newman, John Prine, and Delbert McClinton. It was the urge to capture the spirit of these songs that led Johnny into the Soul Tree Studio. Working with a number of great musicians and close friends, he and Dan Nichols produced "Self Caricature."