Listen to a track or purchase Still Blue
Listen to a track or purchase Worksongs
The Board of Directors and the members of The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, would like to congratulate Bill Johnson on his 2012 JUNO nomination in the Blues Album of the Year category and invite him to attend this year’s 41st Annual JUNO Awards in Ottawa, Ontario.
The BC Blues Underground has given my CD "Bill Johnson - Still Blue" the top honors of "Best Canadian Blues CD, #1 Blues CD of the International Top Ten, and Best Blues Song 2011." I spent 40 years learning how to make this CD. Thanks to every one along the way who lent a hand, and to those of you who listened and enjoyed our work.
Attention Please !!!
Still Blue has been nominated for three Maple Blues Awards !!! This is Canada's highest honor for a blues musician. The winners in each catagory are chosen by blues listeners (you) voting on the Maple Blues web site. There is no charge, and no scam. You registar your email address, and then you vote. It's takes five minutes. Winning an award like these, helps a career greatly, and it makes it much easier to get through the hard times when everything goes wrong.
Please take the time to vote. The process starts here:
While packing my van, Duke Robillard wandered up and paid me some very flattering compliments after our set during the Nanaimo Blues Festival. I was a bit staggered by one of the greatest guitarists there is telling me he thought I too played great. How about that eh? I just about fell over in the heat. Thanks again Duke where ever you are!
I just agreed to play three shows opening for my favorite west coast band, The Powder Blues. Two Shows at the Mary Winspere Center in Sidney BC on September 16/17 and another in Campbell River BC on the 15th. I love playing these soft seat theatre gigs with just my acoustic guitar and myself.
I am always flattered when some stranger likes my music and says so in one way or another. Recently I got my first review from a legit Blues Magazine. I am so proud of the fact that they recognized my efforts to write songs that are actually original for this project.
I have always thought, that in a medium so well used as the blues, originality would be really difficult. I will sleep well tonight.
The Western Canada Music Award nominations came out on Canada Day and Still Blue has "won" itself a nomination! It's up for "Best Blues Recording 2011". I say won itself a nomination because they always say it's being nominated that counts. So I'm thrilled to be nominated. The winner will be notified at the award ceremony in White Horse, October 23rd, 2011. I'll be just coming home from Italy. I'm thinking pretty seriously about going to White Horse. What an adventure...
Sue and I are heading off to Italy in September. Sounds like "Still Blue" is doing well there so we'll be planning some shows there too. They say all roads lead to Rome. I guess it's still true. Can't wait...
We made our debut in Coombs at the rodeo hall. No goats were seen. Only a really beautiful stage and a great hall. A perfect blanc canvas. Sound system was delivered with operater. Mike and his Recliners were good and opened the evening with a lots of up tempo ringers. The band was fun. Not your typical entry level blues band. I can only wish the good luck as they were fun to have with us,
It was our first night using our new approch. All original music was played and we rocked hard for 100 minutes+. We came with one extra man in the crew. He drove and worked the cd sales, and then helped strike the stage and drive off to the nearest Tim Hortons and home. The crowd was very happy. Cd sales were good. I'd say it was a great success except for light ticket sales, which considering the time of year, the price of the tickets, and the short lead time was probably expectable to some degree.
In order to maintain my band, this is the future. Thanks to all who came.
Bill
Oh well, we lost the Monday Magazine M Award again. i can't say I'm too disappointed as the winning prize in a personalised pound of coffee...
A few good things came out of this. After I complained and aporoached Monday Magazine a few years back they began to include "THE BLUES" as a genre in the contest. Unfortuneately the catagory was called Roots, Blues, and World, Music. So when the winner was a bluegrass band I was a bit confused. This year things really improved when Monday Magazine created a catagory where THE BLUES was added to jazz. So now I was nominated for Best Jazz or Blues Artist. So this year at least I was beaten by the very lovely Maureen Washington, a Jazz and Blues artist. So in some ways I won. I succeeded in having a catagory I had a fair chance of losing in.
Oh well, we lost the Monday Magazine M Award again. i can't say I'm too disappointed as the winning prize was a personalised pound of coffee...
A few good things came out of this. After I complained and aporoached Monday Magazine a few years back they began to include "THE BLUES" as a genre in the contest that's supposed to recognise Victoria's favorite people, places, and things. Unfortuneately the catagory was called Roots, Blues, and World, Music. So when the winner was a bluegrass band I was a bit confused. This year things really improved when Monday Magazine reorganised the catagory where THE BLUES was added to jazz. So this year at least I was beaten by the very lovely Maureen Washington, a fine Jazz and Blues artist. Oh well, in some ways I won. I succeeded in having a catagory at least I had a fair chance of winning in.
Congrats Maureen.
Getting radio airplay is such a complex thing. In the old days A hundred dollar bill bought you lots of plays and if it was a catchy tune you'd sell lots of records. And of course that would lead to people coming to see you perform.
I'm pretty sure that's all changed. I haven't actually tried... but i'm pretty sure it wouldn't do much good today. Now each song has to conform to a statistical plan that ensures people will continue listening to the station and the all important advertising.
Thank oh mighty god we have public radio and college radio and radio with blues shows because I would get no airplay with out them.
What makes my world rosie is listeners who call in and request my songs. They will play them. I go through hundreds and hundreds of CDs sending them to every radio station that plays blues in hopes that 1.) They will like it and play it. and 2.) You will call in, or email a request, for something off Still Blue.
This is the future folks. If you like something you now have to speak up. If you don't you'll keep hearing the songs that statisticly keep you listening. Controling you so you hear the car sales add or the fabreeze scented flameless candle. Shamwow!!!
They've been selling lots of CDs at Guitars plus, bless their little hearts. I buy lot's of stuff here because they provide quality products at great prices.
1108 Blanshard Street
Victoria, BC V8W 2H6
(250) 380-7625
Cds now available at:
Bop City Records - (250) 338-6621, 211 Simms Street, Courtenay
Fascinating Rhythm - (250) 716-9997, 51 Commercial Street, Nanaimo
Sound Heritage Music - 250 754 7877, Nanaimo BC
Vinyl Encore - Mill Bay (250) 733-2229 www.vinylencore.com
I sent cdbaby a shipment of cds about three days ago. So they should be back in stock soon. Of course if anyone really must have one asap, you could alway email me direct. I can send sell them from my home with a little help from paypal. Who knows, you get some extra swag that way thrown in.
Adios
Bill
Sue and I are on a mission to get Still Blue into your local Music Stores. In Victoria you can now buy it at Ditch Records and Lyles'
Cool ! We won a couple of awards for Still Blue. Peter Lauro of mary4music.com has awarded us two of their Blewzzy's. One for Best Album of 2910 and a second for Best Song of 2010 (Half the Man). Man it's a big thing to be recognised for your work. It gives you that little kick you need to get going when times are really tough. So Thanks Peter. We love you too.