Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mark Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mark, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
When I attended the University of New Hampshire I needed to get a job and I looked in the local newspaper and there was a job opening for a Live Sound Engineer, no experience necessary. Haha I was the only one who shoed up for the interview so I got the job and immediately I started to work with local band and learn how to record music. I have been doing it ever since, over 30 years ago!!
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?
My name is Mark Johnson and I am the Co-Founder of Playing For Change. For the past 20 years I have been traveling the world with a mobile recording studio and cameras recording and filming musicians live outside and creating what we refer to as “Songs Around The World”. We use these songs as a vehicle to create a global family through the lens of music. Way back when before we started Playing For Change I asked myself two questions: First is there anything in this world that can truly unite everyone? Second, how can I be a part of that? As I was walking to work one day as a recording engineer in New York City I witnessed two Monks performing music in the subway. They were both wearing robes and painted all in white. One of the monks played a nylon guitar while the other sang in a language I did not understand. On this day I witnessed a NYC subway platform filled with people watching this music and as I looked around I could see a homeless man next to businessman and an elderly woman next to a young girl, and while the music played everyone was so connected. After the music ended and I boarded the train I had an epiphany: I realized two things: First all the things that divided these people disappeared when the music played and second the best music I heard in my life was on the way to the studio and NOT in the studio. That’s the day Playing For Change was born bringing the studio to the streets and connecting the world through music. One Heart and One Song at a time. I have recorded and filmed music in over 65 countries and our Song Around the world videos have now been viewed collectively over 2 Billion times in over 180 countries. We created the Playing For Change Foundation now with over 25 Music and art schools around the world bringing hope and inspiration to their communities and beyond. Music is the greatest tool for reconnecting people, communities and Humanity.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The ultimate mission of Playing For Change is to connect and inspire the world through music. In a world with so many divisions it is so important to also focus on the connections and our goal is to be a part of the positive change that brings us back to the one group we are all a part of, the Human Race. In music as in life the things that make us different make us stronger.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I think for me the most rewarding aspect of Playing For Change is traveling and seeing that the world we live in is an amazing place and that no matter how many things in life divide us, they will never be as strong as the power of music to bring us together. One Love, Mark
Contact Info:
- Website: https://playingforchange.com
- Instagram: #playing4change
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlayingForChange
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlayingForChange
Image Credits
Please credit Playing For Change and Sandra Selva Photography