Tim Johnson Jr. – Christmas With U

By starrymag | December 18, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I would describe my style as Soul! Soul crosses many barriers, many genres, but the essence of it all is the feeling.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I would say some my influences are Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Tracy Chapman and Joni Mitchell. I love storytelling music. Michael and Stevie put the greatest messages with the grooviest songs. Nina, Tracy and Joni are just raw.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Snow Day.”

 

A) When I was writing “Snow Day,” I wanted to make a song that people could vibe and fall in love to. I was playing a melody on the keyboard and the verse came. Then, the idea of being snowed in and having no distractions, just being in a space where you and a love one can spend time together, seemed to fit.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I believe that people will connect to “Snow Day” because I feel like there’s a universal feeling that sometimes life moves so fast the moments we have to spend with the ones we love, we have to make the most of it.

 

Q) You are also singing holiday classics “Silver Bells” and “Silent Night.” How were you able to select these two out of many seasonal favorite songs?

 

A) My dad, who is my producing partner, and I were looking through Christmas standards, and these two just caught our attention.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) My process is ever changing. I sometimes write with guitar or piano. Then, other times I write without music or with a beat. My biggest thing is understanding that I just have to let the song flow and listen.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I produce everything with my dad, so we switch on and off on the songs, adding what we both are inspired by.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Tim Johnson Jr. performance?

 

A) A Tim Johnson Jr. performance will just be filled with feeling, feeling, feeling. No matter your state before you came into the show, my goal is to bring some goodness to someone’s life.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I love performing stages big and small. I used to perform at cafes and more intimate venues and then on larger stages too – wherever I can make an impact.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I been listening to a lot of Emily King lately. Her vibe is just amazing. I also been listening to PJ Morton and Jonathan McReynolds, two others I’m very inspired by.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) This question is hard for me because there’s so many, especially upcoming artists that are considered underground right now, but soon won’t. Two artist that are more known that I would want to collaborate with is the great Stevie Wonder and Ed Sheeran.

 

Q) What are some of your personal favorite holiday traditions?

 

A) During the holidays, my mom makes the greatest food in the world, we watch Christmas movies (especially Elf) and open presents.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Social media is important because I get to know my fans as they get to know me, which is awesome. They can see my journey. I love going live on Instagram and talking with people, hearing their stories and growing personal connections. #timnation

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) First, I would say “thank you!” [laughs] But for real, I would tell them how grateful I am that they are following me on my journey. I do this because I believe God has called me to be an entertainer, so I don’t hold back.