We were lucky to catch up with Johnny J. Blair recently and have shared our conversation below.
Johnny J. , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
I made 4 different long distance moves across the USA to pursue my music career. That involved leaving my comfort zones of family, friends, and steady work, and sometimes I took the leaps in less than ideal circumstances. The first time I was 17. The last time I was 54. In two of these scenarios I trusted people I shouldn’t have trusted and the landing was very rocky. In fact, the last one I almost went bankrupt and was functionally homeless for 8 months, but I rebounded. In fact, I learned and grew amazingly from these experiences, and I learned skills and built relationships that have gone beyond my dreams and expectations. Were it not for these diverse experiences I might not have the testimony I have today. I’m sober in more ways than one and am thriving creatively, economically, and spiritually. Moreover, I have a heart for service that I never had before.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Here’s my bio: Entertainer, songwriter, music journalist, and “Singer at Large” Johnny J. Blair is known for his brand of “pop music with a twist,” influenced by British Invasion rock, old school soul/r’n’b, psychedelia, and punk/new wave. With a melodicism breathed by classical, gospel, jazz, and world music, his lyrics are informed by Americana, classic comedy (Laurel & Hardy, Marx Brothers), noir fiction and films (Raymond Chandler, Graham Greene), The Holy Bible, and the writings of T.S. Eliot, The Inklings, and John Steinbeck. Johnny has entertained audiences around the world and his high-energy stage show gave him the tag “a white James Brown” from Brown’s legendary drummer, Clyde Stubblefield. Johnny’s current itinerary includes performing in assisted living homes for people with disabilities and dementia: “Music goes through the brain into places where math and language don’t reach. It heals, and it makes a difference.” He also provides music in homeless shelters, addiction recovery centers, and for ministries that rescue people from human trafficking.
Johnny has worked with a range of acts—most prominently with Davy Jones of The Monkees (“I learned valuable stagecraft from David”). Johnny played and worked with Jones for 20 years, including many recordings, tours, and TV appearances on A&E, PBS, TVLand, The View, and others. Concurrently, Johnny worked on several projects (stage and studio) with all of The Monkees, including touring as bassist/vocalist on their 45th Anniversary Tour of Canada, the UK, and USA. Other artists Johnny has worked with include John Bechdel (Killing Joke, Ministry), David Cassidy, Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big), Buddy & Julie Miller, Mike Roe (The 77s), and Al Stewart (“Year of the Cat”). Since the 80s, Johnny has issued full-length recordings to a global audience— from the “new wave concept album” DOOR IN THE WATER, to the soulful masterwork FIRE, to the bare-knuckled acoustic “agitpop” of TREADMARKS, to the “Ziggy Stardust meets PET SOUNDS” of GRATEFUL to the glam-tango tinged masterwork I LIKE THE STREET with musical support from The Badlees and Mike Garson, David Bowie’s pianist.
For 2025 Johnny will release a new album, WE’RE GETTING CLOSER TO THE SUN, a “non-dystopian spiritual sci-fi project” with backing from Robin Mackey, Prairie Prince (Todd Rundgren, The Tubes), Mike Roe, and Chris von Sneidern. Johnny says, “I’ve played the Royal Albert Hall, CBGB’s, Disney, The Fillmore, Las Vegas, Mabuhay Gardens, the Tokyo Billboard, temples in India, desert islands, Caribbean cruise ships, churches, prisons, garages, biker bars, picnics, bus stops, and train stations, but I’ll really hit it big when I play for you!”
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
It’s not just about getting a check or getting my ego stroked. When I focus on God and service first, I’m empowered to connect with people, places, and things and flow creatively with those. If I take God out of the equation, I lose the heart for service and lose my spiritual power, and my creativity wanes with that.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Artists like to be recognized and encouraged just like anyone else. My first source of approval comes from God, and I don’t depend on approval from men. That said, I aim to treat people how I’d like to be treated. If I see or hear a good work, I tell the person. Likewise, when an artist puts their project out for public approval, maybe it’s for sale, but it’s also a bonus when an artist (like me) would be heartened to get the occasional thumbs up or feedback. Even when I get a bad review from someone, I thank them for taking the time to listen to me (instead of getting defensive). It turns it around. Even negative feedback is better than no feedback.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://johnnyjblairmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/singeratlarge/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/singeratlargejohnnyjblair/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-j-blair-b66387128/
- Twitter: https://bsky.app/profile/singeratlarge.bsky.social
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnnyJBlairSingeratLarge/videos
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/johnny-j-blair
- Other: https://johnnyjblairsingeratlarge.bandcamp.com
Image Credits
Michael Webdell, Robin Mackey