Johnny 99 is a songwriter and session guitar player based in Toronto.

99 spent his formative years touring as one half of the stellar songwriting duo Portage and Main, which won much acclaim for it's two albums of heartfelt roots-rock. After the band parted ways, John began to make a reputation for himself as one of Vancouver’s premier guitar players, an in-demand session player working on countless records and backing up artists like Aaron Pritchett, Ben Rogers, and Elliot C. Way. 

John has been a touring member of City and Colour since 2021 and played on the bands 2023 album “The Love Still Held Me Near."

Under the guise of “Johnny 99”, however, John takes center stage, writing and singing songs that feel timeless.  Although there is a clear nod to heroes like Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, and Willie Nelson, the songs still fit firmly in the here and now.  His lyrics are honest and penned with his heart worn right on his sleeve.  Johnny 99 put out an EP in 2016 via the Light Organ Records “Railtown Sessions,” his first full-length album “Words Left Unsaid” in 2021 on North Country Collective, and is poised to release his second full length album in 2025.