Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ava Rose Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ava Rose, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
My most meaningful project is “Heaven’s Window” and the sequel to that song, “You Were Just A Dream”. “Heaven’s Window” was co written by myself, Billy Dawson, Lainey Edwards and Sean Fuller (drummer for Florida Georgia Line) in 2019 in memory of my friend, Behr Place, who had passed away in an ATV accident. I was given an awesome opportunity by Billy Dawson to come to Nashville to write and record and I knew exactly what I wanted to write about. Behr had touched so many lives in such a short time here on Earth and I felt like I needed to write a song about him. I wanted the song to be a symbol of hope for his friends and family. I won “Best Independent Recording By A New Artist” in 2019 at the 19th Annual Native American Music Awards for “Heaven’s Window”. I became the youngest in history to win a Native American’ Music Award at the age of 12. The sequel, “You Were Just A Dream”, was actually written not too long after the release of “Heaven’s Window”. I had a dream a few days before the release and it was so real to me. I had some questions about Behr, Heaven and if I was doing the right thing and God really showed me what I needed to see and know. So the song is about that dream. I released the song and video in 2022.
Ava Rose, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am Ava Rose Johnson. I am now 16 years old, as of December 2022. I am a citizen of thr Osage and Cherokee Nations. I am a freshman in high school in Oklahoma and I am the youngest to win two Native American Music Awards! This year at the 20th Annual Native American Music Awards, I was honored to win Best Female Artist Of The Year! I have been so blessed to have met and worked with so many talented artists in the industry and cannot thank Billy Dawson enough for investing in me and introducing me to everyone. He is one of thr hardest working people in the industry and kindest. I have been so blessed to perform and attend GlobalmindED in Denver, along with performing last year at the Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Gala Event. Recently I performed and testified for the Commission on Native Children. It was such an honor to participate at The First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. I am so grateful and thankful to be given such amazing opportunities. I am also launching some new merchandise with my new logo, along with some other items soon! You can see most of all my events, songs and videos on my Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and website. Also my music is available on most all digital downloads.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I would say my main goal is to touch people with my music. Music is so important. You can tell a story, open people’s eyes to another way of seeing things, touch people’s hearts. Music is powerful and I hope that what I am doing in singing, performing, songwriting and entertaining is meaningful, hopeful and and an avenue to have fun to people, enjoy life. I will say that my main goal is to one day sing at Madison Square Garden in NYC.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding for me is to hear from people how my music has touched their lives and their story. For example, how one of my songs helped them get through a really tough time of losing a loved one or how a young girl felt the same way with the song “There’s A Boy”. Those are my most rewarding times of being a singer/songwriter-connecting with people.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.avarosejohnsonmusic.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/avarosejohnsonmusic
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/avarosejohnsonmusic
- Linkedin: www.LinkedIn.com/avarosejohnsonmusic
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/avarose
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@avarosejohnson945/videos
Image Credits
Headshot: Mindy Robertson Group photo: Myself, Micki Free, band and Sandra Sutter at the 20th Annual Native American Music Awards, Niagara Falls, NY. Photo with Ron Lessard, Liason to the White House on the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education.