White Christmas Wishes

Well, friends, there was a 19% chance of a white Christmas in St. Louis.
Apparently, we beat those odds.

I'm looking out my bedroom window, at a very steady snowfall and trying to organize my mind for the rest of the day.  But before this house is enveloped in a flurry of cooking and last minute cleaning I wanted to take just a moment to wish our friends, fans and supporters a beautiful holiday season...from Johnny and all the "J girls" and from me and my family as well.  It's been an exciting year, culminating in the Video Premiere Party at The Gramophone earlier this month--look for more pics and rave reviews on the blog next week--and a couple of gigs this last couple of weekends.

But I really like this "beating the odds" thing.  Reminds us that anything is possible.  It's a great way to move into this last week of 2010.  Check out the blog next week for "Looking Back, Looking Forward"--until then, Happy, Healthy Holidays to all!

Thankful Thoughts

Being thankful on Thanksgiving is a bit redundant, isn’t it?

We spend a lot of time considering and counting our blessings on the third Thursday in November.  We proclaim our gratitude for our families, our marriages, our health and prosperity.  We spend a lot of time talking about the “biggies”—the things that everyone is thankful for—the things we have in common.

But what were you thankful for last Wednesday?  How about a week from Friday?  What are your kids truly most thankful for on a daily basis? (Hint: no homework, Xbox 360, Oreo Double-Stufs…etc.)  The truth is, thankfulness is a simpler affair, day-to-day.  It probably isn’t a 24-hour feeling—in fact, it may only last a moment.  It’s a bonus 75-degree day in the middle of November.  It’s a giant chunk of peanut butter in your peanut butter-n-chocolate ice cream.  It’s a really good hair day when you really need it.  We don’t even think about those tiny moments, but it is those moments that make average days just a little bit better than average.  And those moments—those little things—are different for everyone. 

So what, you may ask (I might ask) is Johnny Henry thankful for?  What random little things make his average days better?  Read on…

KK:  Finish this sentence: I’m thankful for never having been…

JH: …locked outside naked.  In the cold.

KK:  What frozen food are you thankful for?

JH:  Pizza rolls.  Pepperoni pizza rolls.

KK:  What smell are you thankful for?

JH:  Cinnamon

KK:  What clothing item?

JH:  Bad-ass cowboy boots

KK:  Which of your 5 senses are you most thankful for?

JH:  My hearing—for all the awesome music that’s made in the world.

KK:  What great moment in sports?

JH:  During the Cardinals 2006 season, my band, Spur, played during all the pre-game rallies for the playoffs, World Series and even the championship parade.  That’s what I’ll always remember about that season.

KK:  What dessert are you thankful for?

JH:  Homemade strawberry-rhubarb pie…mmm…

(Hopefully, tomorrow’s menu includes strawberry-rhubarb!)

Point is, though, it doesn’t have to happen tomorrow.  It would be just as good on a Tuesday in June—maybe better, since strawberries would be in season.  It isn’t difficult to find things and moments that are “worthy” of thanks.  It is sometimes hard to notice them.  So, tonight, Thanksgiving Eve 2010, we ask you…what are some of your small moments?  Maybe your puppy is finally house-trained.  Maybe last year’s skinny jeans still fit.  Maybe you noticed that gorgeous full moon shining through the trees two nights ago and it took your breath away.  Maybe you heard a song you couldn’t get enough of…(if not, please refer to the videos on this page!)  No matter how small it may seem—it’s worthy of thanks if it made your life better for even a minute.  Enjoy.  Be thankful.

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I have known Johnny Henry for 197 days.

The first of May was lovely and warm.  My friend, Michelle Brus, suggested a trip to Crown Valley Port House in Clarksville, Missouri for an afternoon of wine and music provided by some talented friends she wanted me to meet…

Fast-forward 196 days. 

I’m sitting with Johnny at one of my favorite places, a mom-and-pop chicken joint called Young’s in Valley Park—just 2 blocks away from a now-empty corner that used to be the home of an Irish pub called Donahue’s.  Six months ago, I didn’t know it existed.  Young’s has been a family favorite of ours for years, but I never looked past the enormous grain elevator to the bar on the other side of the tracks.  But in a giant, cosmic, connect-the-dots kind of way…Donahue’s is just a couple of dots back from the moment I find myself in right now.

Rewind 4 years.

Johnny Henry and his lovely wife Jodi decide to stop by Donahue’s on their way home from a date night.  Johnny thought Rob Boyle, a singer/songwriter/guitarist he knew, might be playing there.  Rob and Johnny first met a couple of years before at the Jefferson County Fair, playing with different bands—Rob with Candy Coburn, Johnny with Dave Schellenberg and their band, Spur. They were both in pursuit of a dream and had a mutual respect for each other’s talent.  Their paths crossed again at the legendary Duck Room at Blueberry Hill in October 2006.  Rob was again appearing with Candy Coburn and Johnny had a chance to speak with him backstage, where he learned that Rob had a standing gig every Friday not far from Johnny & Jodi’s home.  Fate stepped in.  And with a little extra time to themselves one Friday night, Johnny and Jodi stopped in at Donahue’s to hear Rob play. 

That night, Johnny unexpectedly found himself at a crossroads.  After coming thisclose to making it with Spur…record deals, tours, a career in music…the pieces had fallen apart.  The chemistry just wasn’t right—or maybe it was the timing.  The timing had seemed perfect, though.  He was young, with a wife and new family that could pack up and move their life to Nashville for his career.  But creative and personal differences within the band had pulled the dream apart at the seams and Johnny was frustrated, burned out and resigned to giving up on a musical career.  He didn’t show up at Donahue’s expecting to sit in, but Rob talked him into it.  And something clicked. 

“You know what it’s like?  You know?  The first song, the first few phrases…it was just magic.”  Johnny compares their first harmonies to the feeling of flying.  A spark reignited.  He knew he wasn’t ready to give up the dream just yet. 

Fast-forward 2 years. 

Johnny and Rob play gigs together on a regular basis.  And something new is in the works—a solo album.  Through Donahue’s, Johnny made an important connection with Michelle Brus, who would become an investor, marketing advisor and major supporter, and reconnected with Bill Tingle, a guitarist who would join him in his new project, The Johnny Henry Band.  And through Rob, Johnny met Scotty Huff, a Nashville producer/arranger who has worked with country superstar Keith Urban.  Johnny and Scotty started talking about a CD project in fall 2008 and by February 2010, with the contributions of some other incredible Nashville musicians, that dream became a reality. 

And here we are. 

One amazing solo CD, available nationwide on iTunes, Amazon and Zune.com, a custom limited-edition Johnny Henry guitar strap—designed by Jeri Hart, who has also designed straps for Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, and many others—and a music video, directed by Glenn Sweitzer, of Fresh Films, later…

Now that is some kinda fast-forward (for Johnny).  And a pretty great 197 days for me too.  From the time I first met Johnny in the spring, I’ve seen him play at least a dozen times, including one incredible birthday show at my home in October.  I’m thrilled to be asked to write his official blog…and I’m blessed to call him my friend.

Play.

The video for Johnny’s single, “Old Fashioned Girl” will premiere at The Gramophone at 4243 Manchester Road on December 4—ticket information will be available soon at Johnny's website.  Check back here often for new posts, information and to follow Johnny’s rise to country stardom!

For Video Premiere ticket info, go to www.johnnyhenry.com

To order the custom Johnny Henry guitar strap, check out www.jeridesigns.com .