Seattle guitar player/songwriter/racecar driver Johnny Epperson is someone who usually knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to work hard to get it. When it came to crafting his debut LP Under The Speedway Sky, he had something specific in mind; to craft a record with “more hooks than a fishing boat headed to Alaska.” Enter his melodic world of rolling summer-night rock and feel-good, drive-in jangle pop. The lyrics, direct and evocative, are sung with a full heart, and launch a kaleidoscopic journey through joy, nostalgia, anxiety, love, and serenity. Today Epperson has dropped “Mr. Lucky.” Chockfull of twangy guitar riffs and crooning vocals, ”Mr. Lucky” encompasses a heavy influence of ‘80s rock.

Epperson said of ”Mr. Lucky”: ”I guess you could say that I fit into the singer/songwriter category. But really, I see myself more as a storyteller. I like to write songs that take my life experiences and bring them to life. This song is a composite of all my life’s ups and downs.

When guitar legend Billy Stapleton came to my studio to record his epic slide guitar solo for Mr. Lucky, I asked him what he thought of my song. He replied, ‘Well I really believe you spent three years in prison.’ I knew we were off to a great start.

Through it all I still feel Lucky to be alive and Lucky to be able to love.”

Under The Speedway Sky was written by Epperson in his home studio in the fall of 2021 and the winter of 2022. They were recorded at Love Studios in Seattle WA and Howling Jack Studios in Meadowdale WA in the spring of 2022. In addition to Epperson on guitars and vocals, the record features Billy Stapleton on slide guitar, Sue Oelrich on keys, Steve Feasley on bass, and Easy Ed Dunn on drums. 

Ultimately, Under The Speedway Sky is more than a compelling collection of modern American music. It’s a collection of short stories, put to song. When Epperson had a friend over to listen to demos, she summed the record up by saying “I really like your songs, but I love your words.” So, our speed-demon poet has given us a record wherein the lyrics are the hooks too – a whole boat full of ‘em – and not just the guitar, drums, and chords.

Under The Speedway Sky is set for release February 2023.