Johnny Mullenax, a 27-year-old Tulsa native, grew up steeped in music, with influences spanning generations and genres. Picking up the guitar at just five years old, he made his performing debut when his mother, a member of a 50’s rock-and-roll cover band, brought him on stage to play the Star-Spangled Banner during a 4th of July show. Music remained a constant in his life, taking him from family trips to the Walnut Valley Festival and Flat-Picking Championship in Kansas to performing improvisational gigs with just his guitar in tow.

During his time at an arts magnet high school in Tulsa, Johnny connected with other young musicians, forming a jazz band that performed weekly at a local BBQ spot. By 18, his thirst for experimentation led him to join a live hip-hop band backing rappers, shaping his view that music should be a boundaryless craft. “Life is too short to play one style of music. If you have an opportunity to cut your teeth on something else, then you should give it a shot,” he says.

Johnny’s sound draws on his eclectic influences, blending the raw energy of AC/DC and The Ramones with the soul of John Coltrane and the funk of Parliament. The result? A unique fusion he calls “a funky country bluegrass good time for working folks,” reminiscent of Billy Strings.

After years of playing as a sideman and touring with musicians like TJ McFarland (Tennessee Jet), Johnny launched his own project in 2021—a Sunday Bluegrass Brunch residency at Tulsa’s iconic Mercury Lounge. The event has become a must-visit for bluegrass fans and musicians, featuring high-energy performances of bluegrass standards and jam band grooves, alongside fiery improvisations. Johnny’s ensemble includes flatpicking champion Thomas Trapp, Jason Boland & The Stragglers drummer Jake Lynn, and upright bassist Paul Wilkes, with frequent guest appearances by dobro player Roger Ray and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bair. Performances often showcase a variety of instruments, from fiddles and pedal steel to washboards and even spoons, creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere.

A fan-favorite tradition during the show is “Team Drink,” a communal toast led by Johnny with his signature reminder, “We’re all on the same team.” Another highlight is the incomparable “hole-to-hole” guitar face-offs between Johnny and Thomas Trapp—an electrifying blend of collaboration and creativity that defines the heart of Mullenax’s music.

“My whole musical career, I have wanted to study music deeply, and everyone I play with shares that drive. We’re bringing the heat every single time,” says Johnny.

When you attend a Johnny Mullenax show, you’re not just witnessing a performance—you’re joining a celebration. All are welcome to enjoy the music, the camaraderie, and the party. Get ready to be swept away in the rhythm, roots, and soul of Mullenax’s bluegrass-infused sound.