Kelli Johnson – July Artist Spotlight
Artist Spotlight – July 2024
Back in May during our trip to Nashville to attend Kristy Cox’s album release party for, “Let It Burn”. Marsha and I had the privilege to meet up with Kelli Johnson at the Operation Song office on Music Row. In my opinion, it is only fitting to have Kelli Johnson as my July Artist Spotlight. After getting to spend time with Kelli, I quickly learned how much she loves music, has a love for helping veterans along with having a remarkable way of transforming words into beautiful songs. Let’s continue reading and learning more about Kelli Johnson, singer and songwriter, from Hohenwald, TN, shall we?
Kelli hasn’t always been from Hohenwald, TN, she originally grew up in the town of Anniston, Alabama where many weeks were spent at her grandmothers. Anniston sits at the southernmost length of the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountains and is not far from Talladega Superspeedway. A portion of the former Fort McClellan is now being operated as the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge to help protect endangered Southern Longleaf Pine species. After attending school in Lincoln, Alabama, Kelli raised her kids in Gadsden, Alabama. As Gadsden sits just over 50 miles northeast of Birmingham, it also gave that hometown feel for her and the kids. To further her career and love for music, Kelli and family moved to Hohenwald, TN. The town’s name Hohenwald comes from German meaning of “High Forest”. Hohenwald is the home of the Elephant Sanctuary which is the largest natural-habitat sanctuary for elephants in the U.S.
One Sunday morning while attending church with her grandmother, Kelli climbed up beside her and started singing. The very next Sunday, that small little 4 yrs. old was on stage with a microphone and beginning a journey God had planned for her. Four years after, Kelli had her song written. The song was pretty much a collaboration of old hymns with a little Prince thrown in but the song was hers. While music has always been a huge part of Kelli’s life, the writing aspect didn’t truly hit until her early teens when she heard the song “Love Me” by Collin Raye, written by Max Barnes. That song literally stopped her in her tracks and from that point on Kelli knew she wanted to write songs that could evoke that kind of feeling and emotion. And who knew that she would grow up and become friends with Max along with having the honor of writing a few tunes with him. It is amazing how God always introduces people in our lives, we just never know how or why until after.
A graduate of Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, Kelli has combined her education, knowledge, life experiences and love for music to become a well-known songwriter and share music in all types of genres. Whether it is country, bluegrass, classic rock, R&B or gospel, Kelli always finds herself loving to write the “sad stuff”. Her true passion in writing falls in the words of evoking emotion to the listeners. When Kelli gets a chance to write with other songwriters, she finds herself listening more and crafting a song that tells their story in a new or unique way. This is definitely one reason Kelli is an awesome songwriter for Operation Song. Along with writing with Veterans through Operation Song, Kelli has written in some of the big publishing houses on Music Row (Nashville, TN), especially Sony. One particular place Kelli loves to write at is a little Songwriters Speakeasy in downtown Nashville, TN at a place called Park Ave West Songs. Having the opportunity to write at such a place has been a tremendous blessing to her and many of her friends.
At the young age of 40 yrs. old, Kelli packed up and moved to Nashville. Everyone, including herself, thought she was crazy but there she was driving down 65. Driving and dealing with traffic on 65, Kelli found herself recording her thoughts and before you know it, a song was created. That song titled “Stars & Stripes” was about her brother and became her FIRST – first song written in Nashville and first publishing deal. Once again, God has proven things happen for a reason. Sometimes we just have to wait for that season to come.
Songwriting for Kelli is done both by herself and with others. There are times that she writes songs that artists may be pitching, times when emotions drive a song or as a co-write with the artist where the end product is guided by a vision. Having the love of writing songs with other artists and loving many genres of music, Kelli would absolutely love to write with/or for Lee Ann Womack. And heck, if Beyonce or Taylor Swift are up for it, Kelli is definitely down with it.
There are times when not being able to stop being a songwriter can be the hardest part of writing a song. While listen to one’s story, the enjoyment is put on pause as she is constantly thinking, “how would I have written it, should I write it this way, should I add or remove this, etc..”. Throughout the years and maturing as a writer, Kelli finds songwriting to be therapeutic like many others also have. Giving that moment and time through real conversation, a connection is developed and some of the tougher topics start to open up and create a more personable song. For those newer songwriters, Kelli suggests that you approach it like a business as it can help shave years off your journey of hitting goals. You always want to be on time, be prepared, be professional and always remember, it is just as important to listen as it is to have great ideas.
From the first few songs that didn’t bring reactions to songs that create connections and bring emotions, Kelli’s kids have always been and will be her greatest inspirations! She says, “they are the reason for any good thing that I do or will do”. Her musical inspiration comes from Drake White. Drake has a story that is both amazing and touching. Kelli respects the level of professionalism, talent and heart he possesses. Sitting in the front row at the Ryman Auditorium, Kelli experienced her most memorable moment when thousands of people were singing ‘Power of a Woman’ along with Drake White and Colbie Caillet. “Power of a Woman” was a song co-written by Drake White, Kelli Johnson and Lindsey Hinkle.
Losing a parent can be a difficult time for any child but losing her dad at the young age of 18, it was definitely a life-changing challenge for Kelli. During the short amount of time she was with her dad, he had a large and impactful impression on her life. Kelli would give anything to be able to say thank you for being such a great example of having a good attitude while persevering through difficult life experiences. Kelli has certainly used wisdom and strength to navigate through tough times as a songwriter.
“Chasing Number Ones and winning awards are worthwhile, but I was wanting more” is where Kelli found herself after writing and chasing her dreams in Nashville for nearly eight years. She began praying for a way to be able to do something useful with the talent that God gave her. Within time, she met a songwriter by the name of Becca Rae who is a military wife and a songwriter that works with Operation Song. Expressing the desire of writing with the military, Becca introduced Kelli to Mike Byer, Executive Director, of Operation Song. Operation Song was quite literally an answered prayer for Kelli. She loves meeting and talking with some of the nation’s finest!
Operation Song is a non-profit organization that empowers veterans, active-duty military and their families to tell their stories through the process of songwriting. As a veteran myself (Marsha), I recently went through the songwriting process with Kelli Johnson, and I can personally tell you that it is an amazing experience and opportunity. Songwriting allows you to put your experience and words into a piece of work that can be resonated by others. The songs that have been created through Operation Song have honestly saved lives. Please feel free to learn more about Operation Song and/or send a donation to help continue the work they do with our Military – https://www.operationsong.org
Rapid fire questions –
What is your favorite Holiday and why? Christmas. It’s just magical time when everything seems to have a little more hope.
What is your favorite saying/quote? “I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me” and “He who angers you controls you”
What is your dream destination? Australia
What was your first car? It was a little red Isuzu pickup truck which was a straight shift.
What is your dream type of car? Mercedes sprinter van
Do you have a hobby outside of music? Loves to renovate old campers along with kayaking, dirt bike riding, fishing and camping.
What is your favorite kind of Ice Cream? Rocky Road
Do you have any pet(s) and what are their names? Dog named Aleu (aka Lou Lou)
What is your favorite book that you read or author that you like to read? The book ‘Big Magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert and ‘Girl Stop Apologizing’ by Rachel Hollis. And you can’t go wrong with any book by Louis L’Amour
What your favorite subject in school – high school or college? I really loved home-economic – cooking and sewing.
What is your favorite movie line? “I’m your huckleberry” from Tombstone will always be her favorite.
If you were on a musical contest show, who would love to have as a coach? Dolly
Announcements:
Kelli has two songs out there that have just been released. Drake White released his song titled “10 Lbs. of $#!t” which was co-written with Kelli Johnson. She also did a co-write with Michael Farren to create the song “I Believe” that was just released by The Dryes.
Along with these two great songs, there are a couple things she has in the works that she is super excited about. Stay tuned to her social media accounts so you don’t miss out on the news!
Also check out her social media pages:
https://www.youtube.com/kellijohnsonmusic
www.facebook.com/kellijohnsonmusic
Www.instagram.com/thekellijohnson
Make sure to head over to www.thekellijohnson.com for all up to date information and merch.