At the quarter-turn of the 21st century, Johnny Stachela stands as prolific as ever. In 2026, the singer-songwriter and guitarist is prepping a new series of original singles- the first, “Sun Is Going Down,” lands July 17- that follow a similar set of releases in 2025; a batch of singles eventually compiled into Stachela’s EP, The Stroll. Additionally, the six-stringer remains a vital player for Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel, both in the studio and on the road. Stachela’s songcraft and guitar-work both feature prominently on Betts’ sophomore LP, Isle of Hope, produced by Grammy-winner, Dave Cobb, which dropped in June, via Sun Records.

Stachela’s collaborative partnership with Betts traces back over a decade, with the two formalizing the bond on tour in 2018, guesting with the Devon Allman Project, supporting and sitting-in on a nine-month Allman/Betts World Tour, with stops at such iconic venues as NYC’s Beacon Theater and Colorado’s Red Rocks amphitheater. The European leg took Stachela to Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, UK and Germany.  Additionally, he performed on the second single, “Downtown Runaround,” and subsequent video from Betts’ debut EP, Sketches of American Music.

As well, Stachela joined The Allman Betts Band as a charter member- recording at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound studio- for their 2019 debut LP, Down to the River, and their 2020 follow-up, Bless Your Heart, touring internationally with the group, including dates in Europe and multiple summer festival stops. Subsequent tours with the ABB and the Allman Betts Family Revival have included appearances at New Orleans’ famed Jazz Festival, as well as overseas dates in Australia and Japan- at Byron Bay and Fuji Rock, respectively.