My Story So Far...

My name is Shawn Michael Johnson; I am a country music entertainer performing at the many fine opry establishments in Texas. I made my opry debut in February of 2001 at the Alvin Opry in Alvin, TX. Many, many performances later there is absolutely nothing else I would rather do. But of course, every story has a beginning... here is mine.

I was born on January 30, 1979 in Galveston, TX. From the first breath I breathed, I will openly admit that music was not on my mind. To be quite honest, just to talk was an overwhelmingly difficult challenge. When I was almost three years old I was diagnosed with a malfunction tongue muscle. So instead of attending grade school levels Pre K 3 and 4, I had to attend speech therapy. Without the help of my speech therapist, Jeanenne Johnson, I would only be a shell of what I am today. My singing began in the purest form.. singing to the oldies on the radio. My first performance was in sixth grade at my school's talent show. Myself and two of my friends formed a trio and sang "Cover Girl" by the New Kids on the Block. From that moment of entertaining a crowd, I was instantly hooked!

As I continued into junior high, I expanded my performing opportunities. While most were just singing to the radio; I was singing in front of my classmates.. while class was in session. History, English, Reading- it didn't matter. If I was given the chance to perform, I took full advantage of it. My parents thought that I should join the choir. Of course I didn't listen to my parents and looking back now.. I regret it. With my junior high years coming to a close it marked a last chance to perform on the last day of school at Class Day (8th grade talent show). I sang "The River" and "Unanswered Prayers" acappella; both cover songs by Garth Brooks. Amazing how after all these years since then, some of my old classmates remember that day and actually think it sounded good.. just kidding!! So I guess I left my mark just in time to move onto my next adventure- high school.

When I started high school, I had thought all along that a new environment would mean more chances to perform. After my first two years of performing was reduced to singing to the radio.. I knew something had to give. So finally in my Junior year I swallowed my foolish pride and did what my parents had told me to do all along.. I tried out for the choir. It was here that I met one of my biggest musical influences, Dr. John May. I wasn't too certain, though, that I could survive singing anything but country music. Dr. May saw something in me that I obviously didn't. All my fears were placed aside when I competed in the JV Region choir competition and placed 3rd chair in the Bass II category. At Fall semesters end, I was approached by Dr. May and he told me I was going to be moved up at the beginning of the Spring semester to the Varsity choir. Follow that up with a 1 rating in Solo and Ensemble competition with the Italian aria, "Caro Mio Ben" and our choir being picked to perform at Disney Music Days at Walt Disney World.. quite a year!!

Beginning my Senior year I was moved up to the Acappella choir, the highest level choir in the school. New school year (and my swan song) meant high expectations.. I was going to make the State chorus. First step was Varsity district- where I placed 6th chair Bass II category to advance to Varsity region competition. I surprised myself by placing 13th chair overall in the Bass II category and matching requirements to be able to letter in Choir. From there I moved to Area or Top 5 competition. Sadly, that was where my journey ended. I made 9th chair overall; only two shy of making an alternate spot to the top five chairs. Obviously distraught, Dr. May told me on the way home that night that in all the years he has taught he had never seen anybody come on the scene like I did and accomplish as much as I had. I ended my Senior year solo competition opportunities with a 1 rating in Varsity Solo and Ensemble with "Love Leads to Battle". Around December or so I had tried out for the theater's production of the musical, Lil' Abner. I was chosen to play the part of the villian of the show, General Bullmoose. And because of that, I got my own solo.. "Progress is the Root of All Evil". I loved playing the villian!! At school's end I was asked to perform in the choir's talent show-- the Spring Sting Sing. So for that show I sang "Amarillo by Morning" by George Strait. All and all, I graduated in 1997 from Texas City high school with a diploma and Musical Honors.

During my last two years in high school I was actually a member of two completely different choirs. Besides my school choir I was also part of a choir that was represented by the FFA (Future Farmers of America). I was a three time member of the State FFA Chorus that performed during the conventions they had in Houston, Amarillo and Ft. Worth. There is no feeling like performing in front of 5,000 people; at least I thought. That was until I was elected for two years in a row to be a member of the National FFA chorus; a chorus that is comprised of the top vocalists across the nation chosen after an auditioning process. Now, performing in Kansas City, MO at the Municipal Auditorium in front of 15,000 people is the greatest feeling ever.

Anyways, immediately following my high school graduation I decided to attend the College of the Mainland and major in Music w/ an emphasis in Voice. It was here that I met my other musical influence, Dr. James Heffel. After three years of performing in the COM Singers and Studio Singers, musical schooling and intense vocal training, I graduated with an Associates of Arts Honors with an emphasis in Vocal Training and Performance. My good neighbor and friend, Martha McCarthy, had known that I loved to sing and perform and took a video of myself to Gene and Sue Hofford at the Alvin Opry. In January of 2001, I received an invitation from the Alvin Opry to come and perform. And finally... on February 23rd of 2001, I made my opry debut.

Fast forward years later and here we are back in the present. I've performed in many fine opry's and venues.. (some no longer open)

Alvin Opry / Alvin Opry House

Betty's Opry in Humble

Bluebonnet Opry in Brenham

Buck's Jamboree in Cloverleaf, TX

Caldwell Opry

Columbus Opry

Country Music Jamboree in Brenham

Country Music USA show in Yoakum

Dogwood Jamboree in Palestine, TX

East Texas Jamboree in Broaddus, TX

Flag City Opry in Edna, TX

Friends of the Bluebonnet Opry in Brenham, TX

Giddings Opry

Hometown Opry in Pasadena

Jacinto City Opry

Lake Theater in Lake Jackson, TX

Lakeside Opry in Denham Springs, LA

Liberty Opry

Louisiana Opry in Crowley, LA

Main Street Music Hall in Farmersville, TX

Manvel Opry at Pam's Restaurant

Milam Opry in Rockdale, TX

Opry on the Square in Sugar Land, TX  

Original Manvel Opry

Rosenberg Opry

Star of Texas Jamboree in Cameron, TX

Texas Opry Jamboree in Magnolia, TX

Trinity Bay Music Show in Cove, TX

Variety Musical Showcase

Victoria Country Opry

Wylie Opry

Yoakum Opry

Venues include the Double E Stage at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Cowboy Church in Pearland, various VFW halls and honky tonks, the Stockmans Club at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and numerous talent contests including competing as a finalist in the Best Country Singer in Houston 2007 talent competition sponsored by Best Buy and 93Q country and several benefits around the area. I'm currently a member of www.mytexasmusic.com and released two CDs, The Prelude and Smoke & Mirrors,

Thanks for reading about me and enjoy the rest of my website!!!