Chad Johnson & The Minnesota Transplants (MN-T’s) are one of the most entertaining and talented bands in the Midwest, infusing their signature blend of Americana and country-rock crossroads into their original music and crowd favorite covers.  With their onstage chemistry, and ability to entertain audiences, it’s no wonder they’ve built a dedicated following in the Midwest and beyond. 

A longtime singer, songwriter, musician and recording artist, Chad is a seasoned professional, and is the native Minnesotan in the group.  The Minnesota Transplants (MN-T’s) include international touring musician, studio engineer, and lead guitarist, Jeenti Dutta, who hails from India.  Drummer Andy Jaynes, formerly of the 8th Street Band, comes from Colorado.  Bassist Makai (Kai) Catudio, formerly of The Jason Paulson Band, is from the island of Hawaii.  In the spirit of this, The Minnesota Transplants came to be.  For short, they are the MN-T’s. 

The band has shared the stage with Miranda Lambert, Jordan Davis, Diamond Rio, Jo Dee Messina, Clint Black, Collin Raye, Craig Morgan, Jon Langston, Joe Nichols, The Gear Daddies, Tyler Braden, Lonestar, and many others. They’ve played many fairs, festivals, and events, including Winstock Country Music Festival, LIVIN Music Festival, Corcoran Country Daze, Defeat of Jesse James Days, Minnesota State Fair, Dakota County Fair, Steele County Fair, Rice County Fair, and Nitro Rallycross.

Chad & The MN-T’s can be heard on Minnesota radio stations The Wolf and BOB Country. They are frequently featured on Midwest Country Music Organization’s weekly show, syndicated on over 30 stations throughout the Midwest. Chad and the band have six times received the SouthernMinn Scene Best Of award. We’re proud to have been nominated for two Midwest Country Music Awards, Americana Artist of the Year in 2022, and Band of the Year in 2023.

Seven albums have been released to date. Northfield to Nashville (2015), recorded with producer Gary Sadler (Magenta Records/Red Ridge Entertainment), included stand-out track, Fire and Steel. Chad toured Europe following the release of the album, which included a performance at The Grand Ole Opry in Scotland. What We’ve Become (2018), recorded at the Purple House Studio with Grammy Award winning engineer, Casey Wasner, was released at the iconic First Avenue Main Stage and features, Minnesota Nice, the official song of Defeat of Jesse James Days. From 2020-2022 Chad and The MN-T’s have released many singles, recorded at the Purple House (Nashville) and at Summit Stream Studio (Minnesota). Their seventh album, Minnesota To New Mexico, was released on February 10, 2023 to a sold out crowd at kj’s hideaway (St. Paul, MN).