Back in June I heard Carolyn Dawn Johnson for the first time ever on Sean Hannity’s show. She was pushing her new album. After hearing her, I went out the next day (the day the album came out) and bought it. After getting totally hooked on it, I went and bought her first album also.
Both albums moved heavily into my rotation and got regular and repeated play.
So it’s no surprise that when she appeared in New York for the first time at BB King Blues Club & Grill, I would be there with bells on to check her out, er, check her music out…
Country acts aren’t terribly big in New York City, so at 5:00, when the lineup usually begins outside the club, there were about 7 people waiting and Beth and I were two of them. Good seats were guaranteed, and when they let us all in, we were in the front row.
Things packed up a bit afterward and by the time Carolyn hit the stage, the place was pretty full, which was good to see. The upper level near the bar was loaded with a private party, but the lower level was loaded with rabid Carolyn fans which was great because you had a bunch of people singing every song along with her. Everyone was so into it, it was just flat out awesome.
Now, having seen Martina McBride this summer, who is pretty much universally considered the best female country artist on the planet, I can truthfully tell you that Carolyn Dawn Johnson, with only two albums under her belt, puts on a show that’s every bit as hypnotic. The woman can sing. She can also play the keyboard and guitar, and she does an amazing job of both.
I knew I would enjoy the show. I love both albums. What caught me off guard was how amazing she was in person. I definitely wasn’t prepared for it.
Anyway, if you like country music, check her out. She is an awesome performer, writes most of her own songs, and a talented musician. All in all, she’s everything that’s missing from most modern music.
Here are some pictures (some of them are blurry; the reason? They say no flash photography so I had my flash off. After everyone started snapping away with flash-a-blazing, I started doing the same and the pictures were much more clear) from my FRONT ROW SEATS (love saying that).
Oh, and one more thing…
Carolyn smiled at me…
Directly…
Twice… 