[1] Hiland grew up in Maine, with an eye disease called nystagmus.

Having picked up electric guitar at the age of 12, Johnny left bluegrass, and started playing country, rock, and blues.

[2] In 1996, Hiland moved to Nashville and worked as a session musician for country artists including Toby Keith, Ricky Skaggs, Janie Fricke, and Hank Williams III.

Meanwhile, he played with the Don Kelley Band at Robert's Western World.

Hiland signed with Steve Vai's Favored Nations label as a solo artist.