| Johnny Staats | |
|---|---|
| Origin | West Virginia, USA |
| Genres | Bluegrass |
| Occupations | Driver for United Parcel Service, musician |
| Instruments | Mandolin, guitar, violin |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Website | www.johnnystaats.com |
Johnny Staats is a bluegrass mandolin, guitar and violin player, born and raised in West Virginia. He has been featured on NBC's Today Show, in People Magazine, on the CBS Evening News and CNN, and has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry. He won Charleston's Vandalia Gathering-Mandolin championships in 1996, 1997, and 1999. In 1997 he also won the guitar title and placed third in the fiddle competition.
He is an avid racoon hunter. His Johnny Staats Bluegrass Festival is a part of the Parkersburg (W.Va.) homecoming every year. He supports local instrument makers by playing ones made in the Parkersburg area. He lives in Sandyville, West Virginia.Current members of Johnny Staats band “The Delivery Boys” are: Butch Osborne on banjo, Roger Bissell on bass and harmony, Ray Cossin on fiddle, and David Vaughn on guitar and vocals.