| Although she began to play the piano at age five, Johnson
said she didn’t really get serious about songwriting until
after high school. “I taught myself to play guitar when I
was around 20, but I didn’t get really good until I moved to
Nashville when I was 24 or 25 years old. When I got to
Nashville, I didn’t have a choice but to play guitar for
myself or pay someone, and I really didn’t have the money
for that.” Before taking the plunge into the Nashville music scene, Johnson made an attempt at college. “I felt like I was spinning my wheels at school, and by the second year I realized all I wanted to do was music.” She moved to Vancouver, where she found a more active music community. “But when I realized I was starting at the bottom of the ladder wherever I was, I decided, ‘why not start at the bottom of the ladder in Nashville?’” In 1994, Johnson took her initial steps toward finding her niche in country music. She traveled to Nashville to attend songwriting workshops and writer’s night events, where she received some initial positive feedback. By 1997, Johnson was ready to relocate. Supporting herself with a series of jobs, Johnson found time to continue writing. “I was just so excited to be in this town- to write, and get out and listen to other writers. It was very inspiring to feel that energy. I would step back and think about where I am in this game. Being in Nashville raises the bar, and if you want to play the game, you’d better get there.” |