The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame has announced that Daniel Johnston, the influential lo-fi musician and visual artist, will be inducted as part of its 2025 class. Johnston, who grew up in New Cumberland, West Virginia, left an indelible mark on alternative and indie music scenes before his passing in 2019.
Known for his distinctive "childlike" voice and raw emotional honesty, Johnston began his musical journey in an unconventional way - by distributing self-recorded cassette tapes with hand-drawn covers to customers while working at McDonald's in Austin, Texas during the 1980s. His unique approach and authentic songwriting caught the attention of the local music scene, eventually leading to an appearance on MTV's "The Cutting Edge."
Johnston's influence reached mainstream recognition when Nirvana's Kurt Cobain was photographed wearing a t-shirt featuring artwork from Johnston's 1983 album "Hi, How Are You." This exposure helped secure Johnston a contract with Atlantic Records, resulting in his 1994 album "Fun" - his only major label release.
Throughout his career, Johnston's work resonated with numerous acclaimed artists, including members of Sonic Youth and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy. His artistic journey was marked by ongoing mental health challenges, which became a central theme in both his music and visual art. These struggles were documented in the award-winning 2005 film "The Devil and Daniel Johnston."
The induction ceremony will take place on April 12 at the Culture Center in Charleston, where Johnston will be honored alongside composer Cameron LeVelle Mullings, singer-songwriter Jeff Stevens, and R&B groups The Valentinos and The Womack Brothers.
Johnston's legacy continues through the Texas-based "Hi, How are You Project," a non-profit organization dedicated to mental health awareness through artistic expression and community engagement.