Raised in Minnesota on rock and roll, singer-songwriter Justin Roth picked up the guitar in 8th grade, taking lessons from a heavy metal guitarist. As his teacher started playing with an acoustic trio, Justin became more interested in playing unplugged. His path to acoustic music was solidified at 17, when he went saw innovative guitarist Michael Hedges open for Crosby, Stills & Nash. He had gone to see the famed headliners, it was Hedges' music that truly spoke to him. Justin was enthralled by Hedges' expressive playing and inventive compositions, and from that moment on, he knew that acoustic guitar music would be the root of his musical world. He began experimenting with alternate tunings and exploring the two-handed tapping technique he learned from acclaimed finger-style guitarist and composer Billy McLaughlin. From there, Justin added more layers to his playing, using partial capos to create more flexibility to his compositions and live performances.
"Fans of Leo Kottke or Michael Hedges will find themselves right at home with the intricate guitar work.beautifully written lyrics."
- San Francisco Art Magazine
Inspired by the singer-songwriters he saw perform in his college home of Duluth, Justin began honing his craft as a writer, marrying his accomplished guitar playing with his already strong singing voice. By his senior year, he had recorded his first album Up Until Now. Not really intending to pursue a musical career, Justin thought he would go on to get a regular day job. But, following graduation, he was encouraged by his friend Chris Cunningham (of acoustic/pop duo Storyhill) to drive out to Colorado to attend the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest. Keeping company with other musicians and swapping songs around late-night campfires, Justin realized that being a touring musician and recording songwriter was really all he wanted to do. An epic moment in his young life, it would later inspire the title track of his 2003 release Shine.
In 2000, Justin recorded a live duo album with Chris Cunningham called 2 Forms of ID. That same year he released his second solo album In Between and contributed four original compositions to the solo guitar compilation Lifescapes – Solo Guitar, produced by Billy McLaughlin. Sold exclusively at Target stores, the album went on to sell 70,000 copies nationwide. He has also sold over 10,000 CDs of his own independently released albums.
Since then Justin has gone on to wow audiences across the country, performing at such renowned venues as the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, The Ark in Ann Arbor and Saint Paul's historic Fitzgerald Theater, home of Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion. He has toured with Red House recording artist John Gorka and has shared the stage with some of the finest songwriters in the acoustic music scene, including Shawn Colvin, Martin Sexton, Lucy Kaplansky, David Wilcox and Richard Shindell. Also heralded for his intricate fingerstyle guitar playing he's shared the stage with acoustic guitar greats such as Andy McKee, Billy McLaughlin and Pat Donohue.
"Justin Roth was a smash when he opened at The Ark for John Gorka last fall, selling out a big stack of CDs and nearly stealing the show."
- The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI.
A dynamic live performer, Justin has won fans over with his intricate guitar solos, heartfelt songs and spontaneous delivery, often composing songs during his shows with the audience's help. His growing popularity has led to performances at some of the top festivals including Kerrville Folk Festival (TX), Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (NY) and the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest (CO). Gaining recognition as a songwriter as well as performer, Justin has won numerous songwriting awards. He has twice been a New Folk Finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival and has won the Indie Acoustic Project's award for Best Song of 2005 for his song "Shine," the title cut to his 2003 release.
"One of the best singer/songwriter/guitarists I've heard in ages.Justin Roth is a flat out talent. Roth rivals a young Willy Porter.His vocal delivery is smooth. His guitar playing is extraordinary."
- The Journal Times, Racine, WI
Justin's new album, "Now You Know," will be released in Spring 2011.
