James Austin Johnson Sings Bob Dylan and Reveals How He Found His Voice as Biden and Trump

James Austin Johnson talks about how he perfected his Joe Biden and Donald Trump impressions, the time Trump called him out during a rally and how much he loves Bob Dylan.
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James Austin Johnson Sings Bob Dylan and Reveals How He Found His Voice as Biden and Trump
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[@williamkid55]

If you love Bob Dylan… you know how incredible his impressions are! I’m seriously in awe and laughing because of how spot on they are!

[@elizabethdalton-jandreau5588]

That was amazing!

[@taliarapps8320]

Totally spot on. Dying of laughter - watched it three times!

[@elizabethdalton-jandreau5588]

@@taliarapps8320 Even his descriptions of each phase were precise!

[@tomada36]

“I think Calvin Coolidge said that” 😂😂😂

[@ashermitchell2794]

So fantastic. Hearing Dylan impressions that actually have nuance to them is so refreshing. Usually we just hear a lazy version ‘66 Dylan.

[@curtiscurry5628]

I'm just sitting here, amazed. I'll never forget having improv classes with Austin at Trevecca. We were all playing checkers and he was playing chess. He was incredibly smart and quick and witty, even back then. He had a goal and he knew what he wanted and he was determined. And I'm glad he is getting the shine he deserves because he busted his tail and really put in the hard work. I thought he was brilliant back then. And I'm glad that now, the whole world is getting the chance to experience his genius. God bless you, Austin. You're amazing, Buddy. Keep crushing it.

[@emmarodden7178]

That’s amazing!! When I found out he went to Trevecca I freaked out - one of my childhood friends was a music business major there I think like *right* after he would’ve left, but it’s possible they could’ve crossed paths. Small world. He is INCREDIBLE. 🥲

[@paulcrowder]

Good lord he KNOWS Dylan. So good to hear an impression from a true fan and not just someone who does the caricature.

[@marynelson3067]

❤🙏❤️

[@scottportner4587]

If you know Bob Dylan this is genius. He nails so much of Bob Dylan while still being funny about it. Gold Jerry!

[@KimWF570]

Awesome! When Dylan did a holiday album several years ago, someone said when they heard Dylan sing "I'll be Home for the Holidays" it sounded more like a threat than a promise, haha.

[@OfficialBrandonCollins]

James is the best addition to SNL in years since Bill Hader.

[@eben4reel934]

Word - and that’s high praise!!

[@shawnuel]

In all fairness, he is pretty much just impressions at this point. Hader had far more versatility than James has shown to this point. And last year, I thought the addition of Sarah Sherman was just as important as James'. Not to mention, Cecily and Kate were introduced since Hader. Is Johnson really as good as those 2 have been?

[@__Theodore]

whoa there bud, that's a high bar. Guy's got some stuff but Hader was another breed.

[@bradleyparsek7008]

I haven’t seen him is he great?

[@RaidersDnB]

Bill hader’s impressions just sound like bill hader doing a slightly different voice

[@joselcioppa]

Oh my god, the Rolling Thunder era Dylan is so spot on it's terrifying!

[@etsneroj]

His impression of the Rolling Thunder period was so good, and I love that Dylan era so much, that I did not want the song to end.

[@blakewalker5231]

Was worried with the departure of so many talented actors on SNL that the show would become dry but James has brought back some magic. So talented.

[@midwestdepressed]

James's Dylan feels like a heavenly treat that only true Dylan fans can taste, what we've been waiting for

[@marynelson3067]

❤️🙏❤️

[@samsdrive-in]

This is insane. Huge Dylan fan and he nailed all versions of him

[@gj1695]

This James Austin Johnson is truly brilliant. I would have considered him a genius for his Trump and Biden, alone. But his Owen Wilson, Nick Cage and Bob Dylan are equally impressive. WOW.

[@anahata2009]

My God, I could watch him do Dylan for hours, though it would probably kill me. I haven't laughed that hard in a looong time. Perfection.

[@oppositeofh8]

OMG that dylan bit totally killed!! the man is a genius. thanks for the breakdown of all the awesome impressions. this made my day. seriously. wow.

[@cestjane2260]

I knew every Dylan reference! So much fun! Starts @ 6:12. Impressions references (I think)… 1. Talkin’ World War 3 Blues/I Shall Be Free from Freewheelin’ 2. Lay, Lady, Lay from Nashville Skyline 3. Isis from Rolling Thunder Revue 4. Lovesick from Time Out of Mind

[@Alyric-now]

someone has been doing their homework! ;-)

[@Mandrake591]

I had to come back to hear his Dylan impersonations again, I’m in hysterics at how funny and spot on he is! He’s obviously a big fan, he knows his Zimmy! 🎶 🎵 🎶

[@yateswebb]

He makes his face look uncannily like the faces of his subjects. It’s like he just lets the sound follow and the physicality comes first. Great impression lesson

[@bravetherainbow]

Oh my god when he mentioned Bob Dylan laughing during early recordings and then "I think .... said that" I almost squealed. The references are honestly more gratifying than the impression itself lol

[@redadamearth]

That Rolling Thunder-era Dylan is so on-point, it's terrifying. lol

[@JohnTurner1]

You can definitely tell he’s a true fan with those nuances.

[@arthurbriand2175]

His impressions are great but don't underestimate his character work. He really can put layers in a character with one line.

[@joshyouwuhh]

There are good impressions, and there are great ones. This guy is a great one. He doesn't just get the basic impression. He nails it.

[@calvin4199]

His impressions are great. I'm a huge Bob Dylan fan. I approve.

[@tommoran4457]

The Rolling Thunder Bob impression was sooo funny!

[@lisaadamsrenegademystic]

James Austin Johnson is one of the most talented comedians of this decade. Truly.

[@stevencollett988]

70s Bob Dylan is absolutely perfect 😂

[@mrthiccboi1448]

Best new snl cast member in years, already goated

[@gj1695]

Agree. 🐐

[@brendaoneill1581]

It's such a skill to study and interpret someone's nuance and be able to duplicate it through your own body and voice

[@Edward_T_Martin]

Absolutely brilliant Bob Dylan impersonations.

[@grimmer3021]

Laughed so hard at the Dylan impression, got into 2 minute coughing fit!

[@GavinKing22]

Best Donald Trump impression of all time.

[@koiyadanielle]

Yes! Hands down

[@markpfeffer7487]

Truly

[@L3ONARDO07]

Look for the Shane Gillis impression of trump. It’s even better.

[@double-cheesemcqueeze6315]

Tied with Jamie Foxx, I think

[@MrEdkern]

I been following dylan for over 55 years and that's damn good.

[@flora4908]

😂 Absolutely nailed Dylan! Loved it!

[@JacobJohnsonTunes]

This reminds me of Martin Short doing various periods of Jerry Lewis… lots of nuance and attention to detail as well as clear admiration and respect for his subject. 10/10

[@AlEtteso]

Martin Short at the royal gynecologist with Harder and Armisen is the funniest thing I've ever seen. It never gets old

[@vastucson]

The Dylan impressions are just fantastic!

[@Goatchild90]

"I Think Calvin Coolidge said that" That is a great little Bob Dylan reference for the nerds out there

[@balto20002]

I love hearing him do the transitions to Biden - the process is so cool to hear. Fantastic.

[@auntissie]

Oh dear GOD!!! I nearly wet my pants on those... Dylan is my favorite and you nailed hum perfectly!!! Thank you!!!

[@BlakieTT]

I adore really good impressionists. Glad to add James to that list.

[@calliopelove]

James Austin Johnson, you're an absolute genius!!!!❤Every impression you do has me in stitches. 🤣🤣🤣

[@Virginiagannon]

This guy is a genius impressionist!! He's going to write an incredible screenplay and it will be a hilarious tale 🙂

[@garethhowarddavies1689]

I've never heard of this guy, we dont get SNL where I'm from but he is the best impersonator I think I've ever heard.

[@mdog2435]

Talkin' Bob Dylan Perfection!! 👍🌟

[@caedenschlosser7091]

He's one of my absolute favorite cast members, I hope his career goes nothing but up 🙏

[@shawnuel]

“Nobody said I was takin’ your guns away” had a healthy helping of Jimmy Stewart in there.

[@dumafuji]

Modern classic. Each Dylan was perfect.

[@jjdvideo]

Fallon’s Trump is comical, but James Austin Johnson sounds exactly like Donald Trump.

[@Saskinny]

Yes....if you're hard of hearing. Or never heard Trump speak.

[@chrislrenaud]

So much so that Johnson played the telephone voice of Trump in the recent drama She Said

[@Johnny5Toy]

Not at all

[@Willups777]

@@Saskinny go back to sucking off your male hookers you loser

[@Saskinny]

@@Willups777 THAT is your way of expressing disagreement? Are you 10? No...12?

[@yesitsron]

Those Bob Dylan impressions are way better than I expected

[@film79]

I like Fred's comment "Keep Riting"

[@user-ms3jz7ub7n]

James is a master impressionist hands down. Trump and Biden? That's talent!

[@BertrandLaurenceMusic]

Amazing Austin. So glad he get's the appreciation he deserves, and from a great impersonator too. Not only Austin gets all the elements of the complex Tump vocal colors and textures, but he actually can sing with them! Check his Trump singing My Funny Valentine to Putin,]. Its just amazing, just like his Dylans... Long live Austin !

[@annikawettle978]

I usually HATE impressions, but this had me giggling :)

[@ajaxman200]

I can watch this video 1 million times and still laugh 😃

[@jacwood22]

I was a fan as soon as I heard his first Trump impression on SNL. He immediately helped make mine that much better!

[@tristramcoffin926]

He has a Jimmy Stewart quality to his Biden impersonation, the way Stewart would kind of swallow words in the back of his throat.

[@zeinabhelfy827]

Best snl cast member ❤😂

[@JasonB95]

Love JAJ. The talent is off the charts. p.s. the outfit is killer.

[@moonstoneway2694]

Spectacular impressions!

[@SRDhain]

The 'rolling thunder revue' section (8:40) is mind-blowingly accurate. And to finish with that is the icing on the cake 😁

[@gabrielflorit0]

I can’t stop watching. What a talent for hearing all the tiny details!

[@andrewforsythe5164]

I watched this clip like 10 times

[@professormancaptain4210]

His description of the lay lady lay era transfer was great

[@athenahill8788]

Purely fantastic.

[@MargeB1953]

Excellent in every way tonight..Thank you JAJ for being a shining star

[@eaglecoeur]

I love him, amazing impressions.

[@jessm4896]

This guy is awesome. After seeing him on Seth Meyers I am a fan! He has wonderful energy.

[@licandres01]

God, can't stomach a single minute of Fallon.

[@Monicahohisel]

Love JAJ! Nice to see him on your show

[@Kimock7Autism]

huge fan of Dylan - this is great he's spot on

[@veldmach]

That last Dylan impression makes me want to see him do Tom Waits 💯

[@Charo352]

I bet he'd do an amazing Tom Waits!! Would love to hear his version of Ol' 55.

[@monolithsound]

Totally awesome! So glad he is there to help save SNL!

[@bscepter]

One of the best impression bits I've ever seen. Ever.

[@goforit7595]

7:20 That harmonica bit was the cherry on top!

[@mimo70]

Wonderful.

[@ChipCain]

Outstanding. What a acquisition for SNL.

[@thelastradio4705]

It's not just that he does the impression, he puts every other impression of the same people to shame.

[@lesleyfahrenkamp711]

Tooooo good ❤😅❤

[@danum442]

I love this guy!

[@BabySmurf5921]

Loving this guy!

[@DrMandarino]

So much fun, with also a deep knowledge and too much respect in perfect balance!

[@carolondrey3222]

Man, he is SO good. Talented and fearless.

[@lisacrall1899]

Crazy perfect!!! 👏👏👏

[@calliopelove]

HIs Trump voice is spot on, every aspect of it - spot on!!!!

[@GodsMemeTV]

i never saw a human nose like his. Its unique.

[@pjess7413]

He and Jimmy are the best…😂❤

[@stuartzoo]

Everyone has a Dylan impression but this is next level! 😂

[@Pencilman246]

I do appreciate that he skipped electric Dylan, since that’s what everyone else seems to do. Even Jimmy does that one at the end. Been watching JAJ since he was on Twitter and doing Cameos, he’s going to be on SNL a long time I bet.

[@markscott1914]

That’s great!

[@EdwinaHayesMusic2]

Absolutely superb! Sooo funny and brilliant! ☺ xx

[@dorisfaust8965]

Voice transitions are great.

[@AlexCookTheatre]

Holy hell, I’ve seen the legend Bob live this is spot on! Unbelievable

[@John.McConnell]

8:59 might be the most real laugh I've ever seen out of Jimmy

[@genericperson2292]

Next level impressions by this guy!

[@joyofbeingyou5999]

So Fantastic...

[@plumafina]

This is excellence!

[@JonnyDIY]

Wow he's great, glad snl is using their players more than celebrity guests. I may have to watch an episode

[@winstonclifford3983]

oh yeah, this is a great one,🤣👌 Jimmy

[@richardlee4730]

Brilliant!

[@saffold]

Amazing .. we're all in love

[@GoldFaceFella]

Spot on!!! 😂😂😂