Johnny McGuire

Johnny McGuire first crossed country music's radar as half of Walker McGuire, a duo who landed a Top 40 hit called "Til Tomorrow" in 2017. He went solo two years later, bringing his friendly nasal twang to an amiable, R&B-influenced spin on country-pop. A native of Fairway, Kansas, McGuire began playing guitar at an early age, picking up the instrument when he was just five years old. Soon, he was absorbing a variety of classic rock and country while building up his chops playing in local bands. McGuire went pro when he hooked up with Jordan Walker, a son of Vernon, Texas. The pair formed in May 2012 in Nashville and soon made a name for themselves in the Music City, with the syndicated radio show hosted by Big D & Bubba in particular pushing the duo. "Til Tomorrow," their debut single, appeared in March 2016 and spent the next year building its way to a number 35 placing on Billboard's Country chart, earning its hit status through word of mouth and streaming services. "Mama's Kitchen Table" followed in 2017, but it didn't chart. After releasing an eponymous EP and a series of digital singles in 2018, the duo amicably split in February 2019; Walker wanted to concentrate on writing and McGuire continued to perform. Signing with the BBR Music Group, McGuire released his debut EP Neon Nights in September 2019. Around the same time, he duetted with fellow Kentucky son Billy Ray Cyrus on the single "Chevys and Fords." In March 2020, McGuire's "I Can't Even" -- a song from Neon Nights which was written by Hardy -- was pulled as his first solo single.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo