British-born singer-songwriter Long John Makkay has spent years working behind the scenes in the music business — but never far from the stage. Alongside his industry career, he’s always kept a strong foothold in live performance and songwriting.
A gifted guitarist with a distinctive gravel-voiced delivery, LJ’s sound effortlessly blends roots music from both sides of the Atlantic, drawing on country, blues, Americana, and traditional folk influences.
A major career highlight came when LJ worked with one of his musical heroes, Kenny Rogers, on Kenny’s final UK tour. Kenny’s encouragement — and his belief that LJ had a natural voice for roots and country music — proved to be a turning point in LJ’s songwriting journey.
In 2024, LJ returned with a new band, LJ Makkay and The Sixty Six, unveiling a fresh country-rock sound. Their debut album, Bridges, marked a more personal and heartfelt direction — one LJ had been keen to explore for some time.
Now, alongside a new solo project, Long John is preparing to release a track-heavy album featuring 16 original songs and 2 remixes, due out March 21st, 2026. An early taster, Hidden in the Shadows, is already being played on UKCountryRadio.com.
The new album is a rich walk through Americana roots, touching on country and blues with a strong lean toward traditional folk.
The album is available via our Online Music Store, with full information and tour news at www.ljmakkay.com.
