Johnny Lonesome

Johnny Lonesome

Johnny Lonesome is the solo persona of Johnny Sundby, a longtime Black Hills musician and co-founder of The Lonely Rangers. As a one-man act, Sundby leans into a stripped-down country and acoustic rock sound, built around familiar songs, steady playing, and a style that fits smaller rooms and bar stages.

Beyond the solo project, Sundby has been a core part of the regional music scene for decades. Alongside Ross Johnson, he formed The Lonely Rangers in 1998, a country-rock group that has played more than 800 shows across the Black Hills as a duo, trio, and full band. That longevity shows in the live approach—reliable, crowd-aware, and rooted in experience.

As Johnny Lonesome, the format shifts more intimate, but the foundation stays the same: straightforward country, a bit of humor, and a performer who knows how to hold a room. Often billed as “the lonesomest cowboy in town,” the project balances personality with a familiar, easygoing sound.