Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Johnson.
Hi Kathleen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
How I started was in the den of my South Mpls home doing talent shows for family events. I then moved on to being a vocalist in a girl group with my2 sisters and best friend called “MYST”. From there I was sought after to be a backing and front line vocalist for many real “BANDS” through out my teens, 20’s and 30’s. By the time I was in my late 20’s I was sought after by one of the greatest “Artists” of all time…PRINCE. He not only allowed me to come into all of his studios to lay down backin vocals for various projects when he was with Warner Brothers, but also when he moved on to his own record company…”NPG Records. There I was able to be recorded on various “Demo tapes’ for his artists as well as sang on the “EMANCIPATION” album.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It is never a smooth road living, working, singing, and leading a “GROUP” or “BAND” here in MPLS. I am a tripple Minority. Not only am I a Black Woman, but I am also a “Leader” of mostly Men….that is not easy.
The biggest struggle is to open doors, walk in, and be accepted no matter what my support system or “Following” is. ALL the clubs and the scene that I grew up in and around have been shut down. It is hard to find performance opportunities that come with contracts that “Guarantee” i can pay my musicians a respectable amount per “Gig”, “Show”, or otherwise.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My roots here in MPLS when it comes to being “Emplloyed” is…32 years working a “Day” job for the CITY of MPLS POLICE DEPT. This made it very difficult for me to put all the energy needed to be an FULL TIME “Performing artist”, but I managed to fit it in best I could as a single Mother.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Being in the music business is always a “Riisk”. I am always taking one when it comes to booking ‘Shows and hoping that people come to it, so that i can pay my musicians. I worked a “Day Job” and took “Gigis” that I really did not want to do in order to make sure that no one could say that I was not fair when it comes to paying my musicians respectfully!
Im a “Gambler”, but also a very hard worker. While working for the “MPD” and also being a full time “Vocalist” and “Mentor” to so many in my community, I also launched a “Mobile Kitchen” called…
“Wholesoul A Lavender and Sage Eatery”. The concept came from working in one of the smallest kitchens in the back of a club called “ARNELLIA’S” in St. Paul…where I also launched a workshop for up and coming artists called…”Raising the bar, an Artist’s Loft”. Inside of that club and in the living room of my home I launched many “Show” concepts of my own as well as helped many others launch theirs. from there we started cooking in PRINCE’S kitchen as some of the cooks for “PAISLEY PARK AFTER DARK” live music series. There we prepaired some of his fave “Mac and Cheese” as well as what we call “House Par-TAY in yo mouf” Turtle Cheesecake that he threatened to put on “BLAST” before he passed away!
Pricing:
- Minimum for just KATHLEEN $350
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.greatsgone2soon.com
- Instagram: Musicians4musicians
- Facebook: kathleen Johnson
- LinkedIn: kathleen Johnson
- Youtube: musicians4musicians
