Johnny Z has been performance artist, since the late 1960s. Though much of the career he’s been a solo artist, he’s also been parts of folk duos and trios, rock bands, and more. Opening for Jerry Lee Lewis, Steve Goodman, Friend & Lover, and others. He began writing in the early 1970s and has released over 100 songs. He's just released his sixth solo album (11th over all), entitled VERSES. All lyrics are based on a previously unknown poet. Emily Wilhelmina Jersey was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1861 and subsequently immigrated to the New York City area, eventually settling on a farm in what was once the rural area of New City, New York. Johnny Z was sent a PDF booklet of 18 poems, written by Emily. Most of the works dealt with life on the farm, as it was in the late 19th century, with a few exceptions. Among those included, “America We Come at Thy Call”, which is a loving ode to her adopted country, from the perspective of an immigrant. Another included buying a new whip, for travel by horse and carriage in “Going to the Fair”. As with all of Johnny’s releases, since 2020, he is responsible for all instrumentation on these songs, as well as the recording, mixing and mastering. His previous solo albums, prior to VERSES, are EN ROUTE, SKIFFLE, MIND THE GAP, STRING THEORY, and TOASTER. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu3IeT1ZdyQNz4zjaJ5A9Yw (general YouTube channel link) https://spotlightrecordings.bandcamp.com (digital downloads for all releases)