Jeff Johnson is a Christian artist who used to work at a corporate job until he decided that he wanted something different, so in 2003 he started Jeff Johnson Ministries.
He also made an appearance on the hit show American Idol in 2005 that gave him a unique platform to share his faith.
Jeff's Website: http://www.jeffjohnsonband.org
Jeff's MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jeffjohnsonmusic
Below is an interview that we done with Jeff.
1. At what age did you become involved with music?
Jeff:I've been involved with music for as long as I can remember. I sang in choir in high school. Went on a vocal scholarship to Texas Tech, and then quit music to make money in the business world. But in 2002 quit my job to do music full-time.
2. Stylistically who are some of the musicians that have influenced your music?
Jeff: Garth Brooks was a huge influence on me growing up. I loved his music and tried to mimic him all the time. I love any country music. But the greatest thing about the band is that we all come with different backgrounds and influences that all play into the music we write collectively. This ranges anywhere from Tonic, Train, Patty Griffin, The Fray, and even genres of jazz, blues, and anything rock.
3. You made an appearance on the hit show American Idol in 2005 will you tell us a little bit about that experience?
Jeff: Looking back it all seems like a whirlwind. I obviously never even thought I'd make it on TV, but gave it a shot. Tried out in New Orleans, and was there a week for the auditions. Everytime I made a round of auditions, I couldn't believe it. At the end of the week, they gave me the golden ticket to Hollywood for the next round. So, 3 months later I flew to Hollywood where the other 180 contestants all met up. It was another week of auditions and the group stuff you see on the stage. I ended up getting cut, but know it was the Lord's plan. I got food poisoning while there and NEVER have had food poisoning. So, I felt like I was going to die while I was there, and trying to sing for Simon and the other judges, wasn't too fun. The next February when the show aired (2005), they put my full audition from New Orleans on the episode, and then I was on a few more before they showed me getting cut. While I know it was very clear that is not what the Lord wanted from me, it was crazy in that it really helped our ministry and getting our name out there. They really promoted my faith on the show.
4. Out of all your songs do you have one that really sticks out in your mind? And why?
Jeff: Yes, Ruin Me. Ruin Me is a song that is currently getting radio recognition and play all over the country. Ruin Me came from one Sunday morning when we were partnered at a Disciple Now event with David Nasser. His message to the church that morning was about being 'ruined' for God's glory. I loved the image of that, and on the way back from that Arkansas D-Now, we wrote the song in the van. We recorded it and got it out on the record, but all the while I had no idea how God was teaching me exactly what it is to be ruined. Over the past year, my life has been many more lows than ups. I continually learn what it is to fight against my fleshly desires versus what I know truth to be. It's not ironic, but it's just a perfect layout, that now as that song is getting recognition across the country, I am in this process of truly being ruined. Being taken to a place where there is REALLY nothing left of me, and I am learning how to walk in truth of how God's word says to live. Sometimes not a good feeling place, but where I (Jeff Johnson) ends, and He (Christ in me) begins.
5. Playing live shows I'm sure that you've had some really wonderful experiences. Would you share one or two of them with us?
Jeff: We've had some great times on the road. 5 years of doing this full-time so we've had some major experiences. An embarassing story..... I was leading a bible study called 'Metro' at a large church here in Dallas (Prestonwood). I began a song, that I was suppose to start on just keys and vocals. Song called 'Sweep Me Away' by Charlie Hall. While I began the song, I started it in a key that was more than a few notes higher than what I could ever sing. So I was stuck on stage, in this worshipful moment, trying to find my pitch as I howled in the mic, the band totally confused and trying to play it cool. All the while, I was howling like a dog in front of everyone and so confused why I couldn't hit the note. When I realized I had started way too high, I picked my hands up, moved them down on the keyboard and started the song correctly. Needless to say, when we finished I never wanted to walk out on a stage again.
Some great experiences that we have had are getting to play 'Celebrate Freedom' (an outdoor Christian festival that a radio station 94.9 KLTY puts on here in the Dallas area). Some of my favorite things to lead worship for are college groups, so we've got some great times with college students. We stay busy in the summer, doing on average about 8 camps per summer, so I've loved playing at some of those. I think more than the shows, it's when someone walks up to me and tells me how a song of ours has touched them, encouraged them, helped them get through a hard time, because that is impacting and reminds me of why we do what we do. A couple came up to me at a show back in February, in Monroe, LA, and told me how one of our recordings 'I'm Movin' on' helped them get through AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and the victories they've had with alcohol. Those are the things that make me love what we do.
6. Will you tell us about Jeff Johnson Ministries, how it got started? What it's all about?
Jeff: Jeff Johnson Ministries started in the Spring of 2002 when I left my corporate job (working for Accenture as a computer consultant) to pursue music full-time. We needed structure set up, so we began the non-profit business named Jeff Johnson Ministries. It's a way for our band to operate efficiently, and allow people to donate to our ministry with tax benefits. The purpose of the ministry is to use music as a means to reach people with the gospel. Giving us an open door to talk to people about their faith through song, and have eternal impact. Music is a powerful tool that people can connect with, so we use it as our means to communicate to the world, and hopefully have them listen!
7. If you could share only one thing about your faith and music with others what would it be?
BE REAL! The one thing that I find in churches as we travel from place to place is people who come through the doors and leave through those doors, feeling like they are the only ones with problems and too afraid to open up about their issues. What I know is truth, is that we are ALL jacked up and wretched sinners. If we were all honest about who we REALLY are, we'd see we're not alone and all of our struggles in life are challenges that can either bring us closer to the Lord or draw us apart from Him. I have been given 4 band members that I truly feel is the feel of what church should be. We are all open about our lives, share the deepest grossiest part of ourself, and are living life together every single day. If our culture would move away from just being church-goers and thinking that we have to pretend we are good people, it would rock. Christ didn't die for a relationship with us to be some pseudo lived out thing on Sunday morning, but He did die for us to walk in truth of who He is, and that we are redeemed and loved in Him. I don't think we'll ever understand how much He has done for us, until we acknowledge the depravity of ourself, confessing our weaknesses and boasting in how He has saved us from those!
8. Anything else you would like to add?
I would love it if you mentioned our myspace -
http://www.myspace.com/jeffjohnsonmusic and our booking line @ 214.418.1688.
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Christian Music
