(photo used on cover of this weeks newsletter appeared in this article)
Johnny Colt Rockstar Renaissance Man
by Phebe Wahl with Portrait by Chris Stanford
He has sold more than ten million records, graced the cover of Rolling Stone, and performed at some of the largest venues in the world. Atlanta’s own Johnny Colt is a one-man rock revolution. As the tattoos on each knuckle of his hard working hands proclaim, spelling out “self made,” Colt has worked hard for success, and powers each project with sheer determination and his trademark enthusiastic drive. He explains that his never-ending energy allows him to take on everything from screaming rock concert fans to serious business endeavors, and says that he long ago swapped the word “work” for “play,” regarding each activity in his life as a creative opportunity.
The former, and founding, bass player for The Black Crowes, Colt is currently the bassist for both Grammy-winning band Train and Rock Star Supernova, the reality-television-show-formed band consisting of Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke, and lead vocalist Lukas Rossi. With a myriad of job titles ranging from tattoo parlor owner to Father of two, Colt proclaims himself to be “most at rest while in motion.” We caught up with the rock star renaissance man during a rare quiet moment while he waited to board a flight in San Francisco, where he is at work on a new album with Train.
Colt thrives on creativity as an energy source. While touring with The Black Crowes, Colt reached out to the world-class photographers shooting the band tutorials for their craft. Over time, Colt honed his skills as a photojournalist and plans to release a book, Lessons Never Learned, which is a collaboration with legendary rock photographer Paul Natkin. It documents the behind-the-scenes world of a rock star on the road, capturing those spare stolen moments of a musician’s life offstage. “Music is my living but photography is a passion that feeds me,” admits Colt. “While touring it has been a great way to gather snapshots of places, things and people that have influenced me along the way.”
During that journey, he also became a member of Tommy Lee’s “ecorage” on The Discovery Network’s Planet Green show Battleground Earth. The show compelled Colt to make Earth-friendly changes in both his professional and personal life. While filming ten episodes this past Spring, he helped Lee compete in environmental challenges against fellow Atlanta resident Chris “Ludacris” Bridges for the ultimate rock-versus-rap “eco-smackdown.” As a result of his newfound eco-awareness, Colt then founded the E Group, an energy efficient consulting firm that works toward eco-friendly real estate development. His latest passion is his new bike team co-founded with partner, Dan McCauley, Triple 6 Cycling. They’re known as the punk pack of cycle cross, for their rough riding on all terrains and occasional lack of helmets (Colt even bikes like a rock star). Colt advocates for bike path activism in Atlanta, and is currently at work founding a cycle cross track on Glen Iris Drive, so that fellow cycle crossers can have a place to train in town.
As if his plate was not already full enough, Colt also tours the country as a DJ, and delves into other business interests ranging from real estate development to recording studios. Colt left home at age 16 to work his way through music school on the West Coast. Eventually returning home to Atlanta, Colt feels connected to the region and is proud to be a citizen of the New South. “I have never been to a place that has better people,” explains Colt. “It has a heart that is hard to beat.” He’s a frequent patron of local spots like San Francisco Coffee, and often scales the walls with his Daughter at Wall Crawler Climbing Gym on Dekalb Avenue. Johnny Colt is one rocker sure to keep reaching for the stars. When asked if he ever tires of life on the road or his crazy schedule, Colt replies, “sure I get tired,” but adds “We can all sleep when we’re dead.”
