Derek has been singing, playing guitar and writing songs since his teenage years. He grew up as a ‘rocker’ but made the commitment to acoustic music at the dawn of the millennium. 

In 2006, Derek co-founded the bluegrass band, The High 48s. In 2011 he was asked to join Monroe Crossing. His musical travels have taken him to every corner of the contiguous United States as well as Canada, Europe and South Korea. He has even performed at Carnegie Hall. 

When not busy playing bluegrass with Monroe Crossing, Derek performs with an acoustic duo named Gentlemen Dreadnought. He also performs as a solo artist under his full name, Derek David Johnson. 

In 2021, Derek released his first solo bluegrass album, Hard Life, under the name of Derek Johnson & HardGrass. 

When not on stage or the road, Derek is busy ‘in the office’ booking music under the name of 
D String Productions.

photo by Jamey Guy Photography