We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daniel Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daniel below.

Daniel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

In 2014, I quit my day job and didn’t have a backup plan, contrary to the advice you seem to get from everybody who’s not willing to pursue their creative dreams. I firmly believe it was the best thing I could have done. Don’t get me wrong. It hasn’t been easy in the least. But what I’ve learned over the years couldn’t have been learned any other way. And I’m so supremely thankful for the journey this has taken me on.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

When people ask me what I do, I tell them I’m a creator. That’s the best short description I’ve been able to come up with I suppose. I started with music and released a couple of albums, Americana style, somewhere on the line between rock and country. That led me to writing a book called “Hemingway” and getting it published. I’m quite proud of that one. I’m working on two more books now. And then due to a broken neck from an accident, I got into voice acting for audiobooks, documentaries, and character roles in film and video games. Then last year, I finished a musical that I’m working on getting turned into an animated film at the moment. So basically, I just love creating art, whether it’s music, books, voice, film, whatever inspires and entertains. That’s what brings me the most joy.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

That’s a great question. Yes there is a specific goal and mission that I’m working toward. My daughters really encouraged me to share my music and my creative talents. I was a single dad while they were growing up and I worked a regular job to support them. They knew that my heart was really in writing, music, and film. When they we’re grown and out on their own, they wanted me to use my time on the things that really brought me the most joy. So now when I create music, write a book, or create video content, always think about how much of a legacy of creativity I can leave for them to remember me by. My dad was an excellent guitarist with a beautiful voice. And he always wanted to make music. But he spent his life working to support us. I would have given anything to have some of his music recorded to listen to and remember him by. So I’m trying to create for my children and grandchildren what I couldn’t have when my own dad died.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I suppose the most recent example of that is that I was supposed to record a new album and go on tour in 2020 but I broke my neck, on a trip to Key West and the nerve impingement caused vocal paralysis, so I couldn’t sing. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to sing again. But I could still speak. So I started narrating audiobooks and documentaries. I became a voice actor and played a bunch of roles in animated shows and video games. And God knows how many commercials. So many freaking commercials. That led me to working with marketing companies when they asked me to start acting on screen and creating video content. So I’ve enjoyed that tremendously. And along the way, I worked with my neck and my throat until eventually I could sing again. Last year I recorded that album I was supposed to record in 2020. And the newest single, called “Along the Way,” just came out ON February 14th. And I think it was really just a lesson in accepting life as it comes to you, pivoting and changing when you need to, and looking for the opportunities that are before you despite whatever tough or terrifying setbacks you might be given.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.danjohnsonmusic.us
• Instagram: www.instagram.comdanjohnsonus
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/danjohnsonmusicus
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/danjohnsonus

Image Credits
Photos by Geno Loro