Johnny Durham was a versatile singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and gifted performer, producer, and recording engineer whose career spanned diverse genres. In 1949, Johnny landed a gig at Hollywood’s Cormac Records as an arranger and copyist, pitching songs in jazz, big band, western, and crooner styles while recording demos for publishers. In the late 1950s he moved to Nashville and focused on country music. He debuted at the Grand Ole Opry in 1963.
After his Nashville stint, Durham settled in Cedar Falls, Iowa, balancing songwriting, nightclub performances and recording. In 1971 he opened Cherrywood Studios, a multi-track facility in his home’s basement, recording acts from across the Midwest.
Durham’s songs, recorded by artists like PeeWee King, Tex Williams, Lawrence Welk’s singers, Faron Young, Sonny Wright, and Whoopee John Wilfahrt, appeared on Capitol, Columbia, Mercury and various independent labels. Sadly, Johnny passed away from cancer in 1977 at only 51, leaving a devoted family and a rich musical legacy. Fervor Records is now proud to preserve and perpetuate much of Johnny Durham’s remarkable catalog.
