CHARLIE MTN.
IS MAKING A RECORD!

HOWDY INTERNET!

My name is John-Allison Weiss, and my friends call me Johnny!

I’ve been making music all my life. I’m known for heartfelt songs that usually fall into the indie rock category, but it’s time for something brand new yet deeply familiar.

Growing up in rural Georgia, country music had my heart from a young age. My formative years were soundtracked by 90s radio hits, and so it came to be that the genre had a massive impact on my songwriting. For the last few years I’ve been writing more and more music that falls into the Americana/Country category and I’m ready to finally record a full length album of those songs.

In just a few weeks I’m headed to Murfreesboro, TN to record as many songs as I can with one of my oldest bestest friends Bess Rogers, alongside also-bestie Chris Kuffner who you may recognize as producer of my album Say What You Mean. We’ve enlisted storied Nashville musician Ellen Angelico for a little more honky tonkin, and we’re still putting the rest of the band together. The dates are coming up fast and we need funding asap — so I just launched an advance preorder campaign to make the first record!

Charlie Mtn. songs are raw, heartfelt, sometimes unserious, and always sentimental. The ones I’m ready to record are a documentation of five years of life after quitting a safe bet in the big city, divorcing my best friend, heading out in my old jeep to discover myself, spending as many days as possible alone on purpose, and loving every beautiful heart-wrenching moment. For the last five years I’ve soaked up solo sunsets on highways spanning countless landscapes, seeking to learn exactly who I am when nobody else is around.

In my solitude, you know what I discovered deep beneath all the years of yearning and breaking and aching and destroying and becoming? The mycelial network! In order to truly transform and thrive, I need to stay in touch! I need to share! I also need to follow nourishment above all else and do whatever it takes to make sure everyone surrounding me is as nourished as I am! 

(It’s a metaphor for singing songs for you by the way!!!!)

As an underground DIY artist I’ve been lucky enough to make my albums with the support of the folks who love to listen. And so I’m doing it again: I’m asking for your help!

Contribute to my fundraiser and you can get some really cool stuff in return, like exclusive merch, personal videos, a one-on-one song coaching session, and a chance to share a beverage with me at an upcoming show.

If you want to show your support and contribute to the recording fund without buying stuff, you can donate directly via Venmo or CashApp or this donation page!

If you can't contribute monetarily, I'd love if you shared this page with a friend, or sent them a link to the songs that are already out.

However much I raise, I’ll be making as much music as I can with whatever money I’ve got. The more you give, the more tracks we can record, and the better they'll sound.

I can’t wait to show you the songs I’ve been writing and I hope you’re as stoked as I am to make this dream a reality!

Thank you forever and always! 

x JAW

THE FUNDRAISER

Contribute to the recording fund!
If you want rewards, keep scrolling and place an order for a bundle!

THE REWARDS

Get cool stuff and help make it happen!

  • Digital Download

    You know 'em, you love 'em. Mp3s are back, baby! Plus get bonus tracks and demos.

    Get the Bundle 

  • Charlie Mtn. Postcard

    A real live postcard in the snail mail from Johnny, signed with a thank you note.

    Get the Bundle 

  • Charlie Mtn. on Compact Disc

    A cold hard signed CD copy of the album delivered to your door as soon as it's available.

    Get the Bundle 

  • Charlie Mtn. Cowboy Rust Bandana

    Wear it on the left if you're a cowboy. Wear it on the right if you're his horse.

    Get the Bundle 

  • Charlie Mtn. Fundraiser T-Shirt

    Let the world know you made it happen with this limited edition Charlie Mtn. t-shirt.

    Get the Bundle 

  • A Photograph and a Thank You

    One-of-a-kind Instax photo from the studio, plus a personal "Thank You!" video.

    Get the Bundle 

  • A Sweet Serenade from Charlie Mtn.

    Get a personal video of Johnny playing a song just for you against a scenic backdrop.

    Get the Bundle 

  • A Video Call with Coach Charlie

    A one-on-one video chat song-coaching session (or just shoot the shit) with Johnny.

    Get the Bundle 

  • A Drink and A Glass and A Guest List Spot

    Get a limited edition pint glass, and a hang with Johnny when they put you on the guest list and buy you a bev.

    Get the Bundle 
1 9

THE BUNDLES

Y'ALL GOT QUESTIONS?

WHO IS CHARLIE MTN?

Charlie Mtn. is queer country from John-Allison Weiss!! Thwarted by the events of 2020, the project was put on hold for five years... until now! Johnny is headed to Nashville to make a full album of country songs under the Charlie Mtn. moniker. It's not their first foray into folk, but rather a return to writing story songs on an acoustic guitar and traveling the country in their truck and travel trailer and tapping into their southern roots.

WHAT IS ALL THIS MONEY FOR?

Making a radio quality record is expensive, and we're planning to make the best one we can possibly afford. There are 10+ songs ready to record, but each one needs a guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, and extra instruments like fiddle, pedal steel, banjo, and mandolin, meaning musician's fees could total at least $700 per song. The whole album needs a producer who should make at least $500 per song. Each track will need to be mixed and mastered, which will cost at least $300 per song. Add that all up and you're looking at $15,000 for a 10-song record, and that's before the dang thing even gets printed. Charlie Mtn is making a record regardless, but the more we raise, the better.

WHEN WILL THE ALBUM BE OUT?

Recording will take place in May 2025 and the first songs will be released on streaming services by July 2025. The release date of the full album is yet to be determined, and will likely be dictated by the amount of money raised.

WHEN WILL MERCH BE SHIPPED?

Preorder bundles will go out as soon as the album is pressed, which could take up to a year from the album's completion. Make sure to include a valid email address when you order so we can check in on your address before shipping. Non-bundle merch will be sent out within a month of ordering.

WILL I GET TO SEE CHARLIE MTN. ON TOUR?

Yes! In fact, a tour is currently in the works and will be announced on April 30th!

ARE Y'ALL PRINTING THIS ON VINYL?

The first Charlie Mtn. album deserves to be released on vinyl, but it's not in the cards just yet! The focus of this fundraiser will be getting the album recorded and a little bit of merch created to go with preorder bundles. We're still looking for a record label to release it on vinyl, and when that time comes, everyone who donated at any level here will get first dibs on the vinyl preorder.

INTERESTED IN GIVING REGULARLY?

Join the J.A.W.S. Club Patreon, where just $5/month gets you access to all new music and upcoming plans, archival material, first-dibs on tickets, and a cool membership patch!

Learn More