The band name is a reference to the “Johnson Mountain Boys” known in bluegrass circles. They are called “Johanna's Mountain Boys” because Johanna earned a mention in the band name. Johanna van der Veen played for about 8/10 years in the in Groningen well-known band “the Stroatklinkers”. After a period of not being active in music she has found her old love again, and now she is coming to Noorderzon!

Johanna's Mountain Boys consists of five musicians who found each other in their shared love of bluegrass music. They met mainly at Parking Lot Picking Parties organized by Hendrik Luurtsema. At one of those jam sessions, such a fun jam ensued, after which it was decided to continue it at home one day. The rest is history. Don't be surprised if during the concert you hear songs by the Johnson Mountain Boys, the Lonesome River band, the Gibson Brothers and John Reischman.