After recieving the prestigious “Outstanding First Year Award” his freshman year, by his sophomore year, Johnny was 1st chair in Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band & was often found tutoring other students in instruments he didn’t even play, himself under the tutelage of UW Jazz Band Director Roy Cummins.
It was in high school that he got his first taste of turntablism and hasn’t looked back since. Between using his turntables as an instrument, and his passion for playing other instruments, Johnny has played drums, trumpet & turntables for bands from Everett to Seattle to Tacoma to Olympia to the Harbor.
After his arrival to the area, Johnny found himself very lonely since rap music hadn’t reached the Harbor yet, and being a rap DJ (the type that performs with MC’s), nobody wanted to be his friend and locals nicknamed him “Wierdo John” because he didn’t fit in. In the 90’s Johnny started to organize and promote the areas first rap shows often bringing in talent like Silver Shadow D from Seattle and Blind Council from Portland. With much criticism and resistance from locals, Johnny continued to spread the music he grew up around in this area forever changing the local music scene.By the mid-90’s Johnny walked into Sidney’s and was hired on the spot as a DJ. Within a few months, he was promoted to Senior Music Programmer and was flown to Houston Texas to CMSU where he achieved certification in Nightclub Music & Programming. Around early 2000, Johnny was voted “Best Club DJ” in the local newspaper and Runner Up for radio DJ.Over the years, Johnny has DJ’d for many nightclubs, wedding receptions, school dances, corporate parties, private parties and any kind of celebration you can think of. His background in music has greatly effected and influenced his mixing style and because of that, he has brought a certain style to the area and continues to rock the clubs, parties & airwaves because, as he puts it: “that’s what I do“
