In
2004, St. Louis news anchor, Art Holliday,
attended the 3rd Annual Johnnie Johnson
Blues & Jazz Festival, along with his
film crew. Mr. Holliday is currently in
the process of filming and producing a feature
length documentary about the life of Johnnie
Johnson. Mr. Holliday filmed throughout
much of the festival, getting a personal
tour of Fairmont from Johnnie, including
the overpass that's named after Johnson.
Holliday also conducted interviews with
many of Johnnie's friends, family members
and musicians like Richard Young of the
Kentucky Headhunters.
Art Holliday is
the co-anchor and executive producer
of "Today in St. Louis" morning
show and "NewsChannel 5 at Noon"
at the NBC affiliate in St. Louis, KSDK-TV.
We wish him all the best, as he continues
production of his documentary, which we
know will raise awareness about the legacy
of Johnnie Johnson. Holliday recently obtained
an interview with Bonnie Raitt for the documentary
and earlier this year interviewed Bo Diddley.
Later this year Holliday is expected to
interview Keith Richards of the Rolling
Stones and music historian Bruce Pegg, who
wrote a biography of Chuck Berry. We will
keep you posted with the exciting developments
of this project!
Also at the 2004
Festival, Johnnie celebrated his 80th Birthday!
Johnnie was truly an inspiration to behold.
At an age where most seniors would have
been retired, Johnnie continued to write
new music, record new music, and play the
piano for delighted audiences across the
country!
Johnnie recorded what would
be his last CD, "Johnnie Be
Eighty. And Still Bad!" in
late 2004 with his good friend Jeff Alexander,
a songwriter and producer. The band featured:
Johnnie Johnson on piano, Larry Thurston
on vocals (all but one track), Victor Johnson
on vocals (the other track), Rich McDonough
on guitar, Gus Thornton on bass, and Joe
Pastor on drums.
For more information about
the CD, "Johnnie Be Eighty.
And Still Bad!", visit Jeff
Alexander's web site: www.cousinmoemusic.com.
You can purchase the CD by mail or online,
as well as read the liner notes, peruse
some CD reviews, and check out some cool
photos of Johnnie and friends!
Getting back to the festival...it
was one of Johnnie's wishes that the annual
festival, named in his honor, would continue
on forever, and become yet another part
of his legacy of music. This year's festival
features award-winning musicians: Bob
Margolin, Nappy Brown, Carey Bell, Steve
James, and Michael Hill's Blues Mob. You
can read about this year's artists on our
Festival
Home Page.
In honor and loving memory
of Johnnie Johnson, we are proud to invite
you to join us at the 2005 Johnnie Johnson
Blues & Jazz Festival, where we will
pay tribute to the amazing Johnnie Johnson!
This is the only festival in the world of
its kind: named in honor of Johnnie
Johnson, and taking place in Johnnie's hometown
of Fairmont, WV, just a few blocks from
where he was born!
Join Us on July 13-15, 2012
at the 11th Annual Johnnie Johnson Festival, as we celebrate the life and music
of the late, great Johnnie Johnson! |
