Folk singer/songwriter Daniel Johnston, whose searing 1983 album Hi, How Are You remains a lo-fi cult classic, turns 50 years old on Saturday, January 22. It’s a notable anniversary for the troubled musician, whose frequent brilliance is often overshadowed by his well-documented personal problems (he struggles with bipolar disorder)--and Johnston’s team is celebrating in a creative way.
As Johnston’s website recently posted, fans can call (936) 463-4688 to hear a prerecorded message from Johnston and record their own birthday well-wishes. The site suggests that callers “tell a story, sing Daniel a song, cover one of his songs, or anything else that lets Daniel, and his fans, know how much he means to you and to the world of music.
Throw on a party hat if you got one, and leave any message you want. Any length you want. Anything goes."
All the messages will be played for Johnson on his live birthday program on the new Daniel Johnston Radio (Radio.hihowareyou.com) on January 22nd at 8 p.m CT. He’ll also appear at the infamous “Hi, How Are You” wall in Austin, Texas that day at 2pm, which will be broadcast live. He also plans to release his first, long-delayed interactive comic book and is collecting donations for the project on his site.
Johnston, a founding member of Austin’s mid-‘80s “New Sincerity” singer/songwriter movement, deserves this fete and more. We’re already planning out telephone greeting for the much-maligned genius. Happy birthday, man.
