Freedy Johnston is one of those rare singer-songwriters who counts critics among his biggestfans—and whose heroes consider him a peer. Not bad for a self-proclaimed "geek in glasseswho never left his room."On September 9th, Forty Below Records will release Johnston's 9th album,Back on the Road toYou.It's a record steeped in wit, humor, pathos, love, and friendship drenched with memorable,infectious melodies. Johnston recorded the album in Los Angeles with producer Eric Corne aftersetting up house in nearby Joshua Tree. The new surroundings have imbued the album's moodand instrumentation with echoes of The Byrds, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young.Joining Johnston in the studio were Aimee Mann, Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles, and long timecollaborator, Susan Cowsill, along with an all-star roots music band, including Doug Pettibone(Lucinda Williams), Dusty Wakeman (Jim Lauderdale), Dave Raven (Shelby Lynn) and SashaSmith (Priscilla Ahn).In1994Rolling Stonenamed Johnston the 'Songwriter of the Year', describing him as "A masterstoryteller, (who) sketches out full-blown tragedies in a few taut poetic lines." Adding, "He joinsthat elite cadre of songwriters—Bob Dylan,Neil Young, Elvis Costello—whose brilliant popcompositions turn magical with the addition of a defiantly idiosyncratic singing voice."