Mike introduces himselfWhen I first watched Mike Johnson's DVDs, everything went just fine as long as I stayed with the Yodeler's Paradise Show disc. But when I viewed the Mike Johnson Live! DVD, I had to push the "stop" button when he started to sing He Stopped Loving Her Today. My mother passed away in November of 2005, and, at the time of this writing, it is March, 2006. The memory was just too strong [I've since been able to view the rest of the disc]. I voiced my sentiments to Mike, and here was his response. I also asked about his habit of video taping his trips and concerts (some scenes look out the window of his truck). Paul, Please, call me Mike. I was born in '46 and also grew up in the '50s and those old standards. Real down to earth songs of substance. I'm sorry that "He Stopped Lovin' Her Today" brought back the pain. It's one of my favorites. My all time favorite Hank song "My Son Calls Another Man Daddy" has that same effect on me. The camcorder was dash-mounted with velcro. I started with a regular VHS full format and after a couple of years switched to the 8mm format. Easier to mount and handle when driving. I've had several brands and currently use a simple RCA box type. It's almost past its prime as some of the film is beginning to roll, which means the recording head is wearing. Sometimes it was handheld by me or a friend, or on a tripod when working or fishing. I initially began using it to record work-related damage, physical layouts of houses, apartments, and road conditions that sometimes hindered the pickup and delivery of our shipments. I drove for a Moving & Storage Company. Yeah, I've taken it on excurisions on my down time in different citites, etc. Like the Oklahoma City bombing memorial, fishing in Arizona and Florida, Alligator Alley in Florida, Sandia Peak in New Mexico. Even got a shot of two golden eagles dancing in the sky up there. I had a silent movie camera back in the 80s and really regret that it didn't have sound. Some early trucking trips, Easter week in Nashville 1981 when I did my first recording session, shooting and canoeing trips. In fact I still have about 20 rolls that haven't even been developed. Don't know if they will develop now, it's been so long. Photographs have always fasinated me as a child. Just like books did. I wanted to see and do everything and books were my first method of travel. You can go anywhere in books. And then I started writing my own stories to go even farther. Around 1973 I decided to take a stab at photography professionally and begame a freelance photograper. Portraits were my favorites. I did school proms, graduations, and night club shows, and avoided weddings. My very first music performances were taken by Johnny Jay at the 1994 Michigan Jamboree. He was their official photographer, as well as a very good singer/songwriter. I finally bought my own camcorder about a year later. Remembering the classic footage of other performers of old I began to see its value in preserving my music and performances as well. Especially since I was off and on in the recording studio, and this was an inexpensive constant. It has also become a great measuring tool in showing how I have, or haven't progressed, where I need work, those on and off days, etc. And fun. I've a pretty good sized flim and photograph catalog. And they're all numbered and indexed. I learned very early that they acculmulate quickly. Even all of my own songs I've written are listed in a index by title and date written. I'd be more than happy to send you some of my recordings. And even of some others that you might be interested in. Like McDonald Craig, and some video footage of Patsy Montana at Alex Kennedy's house in Iowa some years back. Alex was a local music historian of sorts and he interviewed and photographed scores of musicians that came to the Avoca festival. Unfortunately my trucking schedule didn't allow me to linger afterwards and I was never able to followup on his invitations. He's in Oregon or Arizona now, with his daughter. He's about 80 and is in fair condition. They are in a quandry about what to do with his massive collection. I also have a number of cassettes tapes of many, many yodelers of old, [40s, 50s] that he gave me. Yes, Sonny Rodgers was one of a kind. He just grows on you real quick in a family sort of way. Again, thank you so much for including me on your site. That is overly generous of you. I'm glad you enjoyed the performances. I started out to be a songwriter and had had to do everything else to get there. Your grateful friend, Mike Mike promised to send some photographs of various independent artists that he knows. I mentioned that I'd set his tribute page up first, and then include those extra pictures later [as it turned out, Mike has decided to join the HeroesWest family of websites]. I include Mike's follow-up words to me because they illustrate his breadth of experience in the country music business. Not a problem as far as the other stuff goes, for I immediately saw that your site catered to the genuine Country Music that we grew up on. There are many independent artists whom I've met and shared the stage with over the years, like my Magnolia Texas friend, the late Smokey Stover, and Donna Hyland, and Ed & Jolene Bullard. Incidentally they still run a radio station down in Tupelo, Oklahoma and broadcast a lot of our [indie] songs. So you might want to steer some of your artists in that direction. Ed & Jolene Bullard Right now I'm off to host my Saturday night open mic. Later. Mike -o- |