The following is a press release from JR Michael Redding:

“Highway 128”, a new CD published by Music from the Mendocino Coast, is now available for order. The title track describes the travails of driving the highways that people use to get to the Mendocino Coast. Composer JR Michael Redding reveals the motivation behind the song:
After seeing the movie Woody Guthrie’s American Song, I was motivated to write a song in his style. Simple chords, a harmonica and lyrics about the places he visited. I live on the Pacific Coast of Mendocino County so I chose to write about this special place as one would see it by driving the local highways. After two verses, the song took an unexpected turn. To me it felt as if Arlo Guthrie walked onto the stage and said, Wait a minute, Dad! Arlo’s whacky sense of humor then took center stage.
The recordings are a collaboration between several prominent Mendocino musicians and vocalists. “Highway 128” was recorded and produced by local legend Calvin Turnbull.
The songs, all of which are original, include promising hits such as
- Before I Met You
- Song of the Ocean (Roy Helsing turns his accordion into a tin whistle!)
- My Pickup Died (kicking harmonica by Nat Montoya)
- I Am Not an Apostle (beautiful vocals by Sally Wells, and a wonderful instrumental by Calvin Turnbull)
“Highway 128” can be ordered at www.johnniemendo.com
Would love to buy a CD. We have also recorded with Calvin Turnball and released a great Cd. He’s great!
this desperation for cultural relativity, naming highwayss albums after each other, the marginal talents, local gossips, snobs and bullies, is cringeworthy. You all need to go to narcissist camp and learn to entertain yourselves in peace. Such wastes of retirement funds.
I have this on vinyl, and this album is nothing short of a masterpiece. From the opening track to the final notes, it weaves a rich tapestry of sound, emotion, and artistic vision. Each song feels meticulously crafted, yet the album as a whole maintains a fluidity that pulls the listener into its world effortlessly.
The production is flawless, balancing intricate layers of instrumentation with moments of stark simplicity. Every beat, every melody, and every lyric feels intentional—like a puzzle piece fitting perfectly into the greater picture. The dynamic shifts between soaring highs and introspective lows make this album a deeply immersive experience, offering something new with every listen.
The vocals are a standout feature, capturing raw emotion while complementing the album’s mood perfectly. Whether delivered in hushed tones or powerful crescendos, the performance is nothing short of captivating. The lyrics, too, resonate deeply—alternating between poetic ambiguity and direct, relatable truths that linger long after the music stops.
Each track is unique, yet there’s a cohesiveness that binds the album together. It’s clear the artist poured their heart and soul into every detail, creating a record that feels both personal and universal. This is music that challenges you, comforts you, and stays with you, reminding you of the power of great art to connect us to something greater than ourselves.
Whether you’re a casual listener or a die-hard fan of the genre, this album is an absolute must-listen—a true testament to the artist’s talent and vision.
Aren’t you the artist?
I don’t think so, the artist is named Junior Micheal Redding
Article says artist’s name is JR Michael Redding. Article says go to johnniemendo.com to order the album. Contact page on johnniemendo.com has email address John RM Redding.
Commenter above, flattering the artist, is John Redding.
I also live in Fort Bragg, where the guy in the photo above (“JR Michael Redding”) regularly plays guitar at local restaurants, where he goes by John Redding.
Dude called his own album “an absolute must-listen—a true testament to the artist’s talent and vision.”
He’s high.