Johnny Collier: Musician, Part 1

Let’s start this article from the beginning.  Hammer Down Gun & Pawn was helping to sponsor the Rally at the River this year.  Dallas Dorrall was the person that had designed the posters for the event.  I spoke to her on the phone a couple of times about getting our logo onto the poster.  She was a generally nice and helpful person.

When the posters arrived, I saw that Johnny Collier was the musical guest.  I had never heard of him and I didn’t think much about it at that time.  We were busy the day of the Rally and did not get to attend this event.  From my understanding, we missed a great event.

Shortly thereafter, Dallas came into the store about the Give-A-Thon for the Rally’s

Dallas Dorrall and the author , Give-A-Thon 2017

Coordinator, Peggy McCollum.  She had Johnny Collier with her.  We were introduced and spoke for a very short time.  He seemed like a nice person.  I had agreed to cover the Give-A-Thon for the Quad Cities Daily.   Johnny was going to be the musical performer for the event.

From his Website:

    Recording artist, Johnny Collier, brings something unique to his fans and followers in today’s music scene.   Digging deep into his Nashville and Muscle Shoals roots, Johnny mixes country music’s past and present to create a passionate, soulful music adventure.  This isn’t the stuff your Daddy stomped his boots to, but it kind of is.  Johnny’s is not a rock show, but it totally does.   It’s Country Music alright but you’ll hear a hint of R&B and Blues flavoring as well.  His ability to fuse that feel-good driving country beat together with a contemporary musical vision lead Johnny to write hot selling fan favorites like “Hole In My Heart”, “I Got This…”, and “Never Really Famous”.  “I’m blessed” Johnny says,  “to perform an average of 140 concerts each year all over the South for crowds up to 80,000 people.  People tell me all the time ‘Man, you are so smooth.  The music just flows out of you and it looks like you’re enjoying every second’ and the truth is…  I really am.  And they get to come along.”

     With MMG Records, Johnny’s first release ‘Honey For Hire’ went to #30 on The World Wide Top 100 Singles Chart.  He was later awarded “Artist Of The Year” by ICU Radio Network for a Number #1 song ‘Love Let Her’ which set new records by remaining in the Top Five for 28 consecutive weeks.  His latest single “Never Really Famous” is getting great reviews and radio says “This song is an attention getter right from the first verse!”

   Back to the Give-A-Thon, Johnny was there with a Bass Player and a Drummer.  The introductions were made and they got ready to play.  I had walked away from the stage before the set started.  They began to play music and I stopped and said to myself “who all is playing?”  Walking back to the stage I saw that there were only three people playing.

I could not believe that the sound and quality of music was coming from these three people.  Johnny belted out songs with soul that is sometimes absent from today’s music.  His musical sound is a combination of Rock & Roll and Country with a little Soul as well as Blues mixed in.  I was dumbfounded that a person could have that talent and I was not aware of it.  I am now ashamed to say that I didn’t know who he was.

While writing my article for the Give-A-Thon, I wrote the following about Johnny:

Ok, on a side note.  Johnny Collier and his band were the musical entertainers for the event.    I met Johnny the day that Dallas came into the store.  I was not aware of his music.  However, after seeing and hearing him perform, I have to tell you, that boy is very talented. I really enjoyed the music.  If you get a chance to take in one of Johnny’s shows, please do.  I think you will enjoy it. 

I was only able to stay for about an hour at the event. I thoroughly enjoyed Johnny’s musical talents.  A few days later, Dallas and Johnny came into the Store and I was able to talk to him more.  I have met several musical talents such as Billy Bob Thorton, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean.  Some are very nice while some are not as nice.  One thing I can say about Johnny is that he is humble.   He has traveled all over this country and performed for thousands but he is not the kind to boast about it.  I respect him for that.

Johnny has had a very interesting and promising musical career.          Below is his Bio

BIO:

 With a successful career in the music and entertainment industry, Johnny Collier has earned a long and loyal fan base. Whether he’s headlining or workin’ a honky-tonk, Johnny’s style of music attracts a large audience.

 Johnny travels making new friends and greeting old ones. His schedule of dates and performances reflect concerts and shows ranging from fairs, festivals, dance halls and night clubs to organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, America’s Trail Ride Association, tourist venues booked as much as a year in advance and engagements overseas. It’s true that his schedule and work ethics led to Johnny’s being called “The Hardest Working Guy in Show Business”. Wayne Chaney, stage manager for LITTLE RICHARD, says “When I call Johnny, I don’t have to worry. He just says when & where do you need me”.

 The early years placed Johnny Collier into the professional realm when he started singing with THE HANK WILLIAMS, JR. BAND as they needed a front man to replace Hank while he recouped from touring. Then, forming his own band with musicians such as Roger Clark, Drummer from THE STEVE MILLER BAND & THE GREATFUL DEAD, Johnny started to write and record his own material and found himself working with members of THE LITTLE RICHARD BAND, opening for JIM ED BROWN and doing sessions at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL.

 1995 found Johnny backing Nashville artist’s like TIM HILLIARD and being asked to do a tour in Japan. In 1997, Johnny re-united with his birth father, Mark Collier, who retired from the music business in the 80’s. This led to Johnny and his father re-opening MOLLIE MUSIC PUBLISHING. The two began recording and working with other artists from Disneyland California and Nashville.

 Next, Johnny recorded an album on Jasmine Records and in 1999, MMG Records released and promoted Johnny’s song “Honey for Hire”. It charted at #33 on The Worldwide Top 100 Singles Chart and his music was known across the US and in several foreign countries… Australia in particular, where Beth Brown’s Radio Show reached 7.5 million listen-ers. Another single, “Love Let Her”, earned Johnny the title of Artist of the Year in 2003 by remaining in the Top 5 for 28 consecutive weeks!

 Johnny hosted his own TV show during this time on W10BV broadcasting from Ethridge, Tennessee, with owner and friend, Sarah Evetts, known for starting the smallest TV station in America and catapulting to worldwide fame and success with Ms. Evetts appearing on Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, USA Today, and more.

 Johnny’s talent and manner enables him to work with some of the best in the business including Natalie Stovall And The Drive, T. Graham Brown, ACM Top New Female Vocalist Nominee -Joy Lynn White, Mark Herndon ‘Alabama’, Song-writer/Producer-Billy Lawson, Logan Mize, Daryl Singletary, Members of the Hank, Jr. Band, Marty Raybon ‘Shenandoah’, Stella Parton, King of Beach Music-Clifford Curry, Razzy Bailey, Fred “Re-run” Berry, Jim Ed Brown, Terri “Somebody’s Knockin” Gibbs, Freddie Weller, Jerry Reed’s Daughter, Seidina Reed, Donna Fargo, Wanda Jackson, Producer-Bud Logan, Members of the Little Richard Band, Engineer-Jerry Masters and Two Time Musician of the Year-Kirk Johnson.

 Johnny’s currently touring all over the south averaging 140 concerts a year. From Key West, Florida to Missouri, Johnny’s fans and followers are in love with him and his music. His Latest singles, “I Got This…”, “Flower on My Grave” and “Never Really Famous” are being touted as some of his best work. Although at every show, fans still request “Hole In My Heart” and “Honey For Hire” released previously in his career.

 Johnny Collier has songs published with Melody Round Up Music and Mollie Music Publishing.   www.JohnnyCollier.com

   Johnny Collier has “Been there, done that and got the T-Shirt.”  He lives his music and plays his heart out while performing.  I began to do research on Johnny.  Going to the internet, I found that he has several Youtube videos.    He has played with the greats and has earned their respect.

I am a big music person.  Music for me, I must have.  I don’t watch a lot of television but I must have my music.  All day in my office, something is playing.  Music soothes the soul.  It can make you feel good, bring happiness or make you remember someone who might have been in your life.  It takes a special person to play good quality music.  Johnny Collier is one of those people.

This week, Johnny is in Missouri performing for 3 days.   Next week, I am going to sit down with Jonny and interview him about his life and career.  Please watch for the second part of this article.

To be continued……….

  Bobby Inman is retired from Law Enforcement after 21 years of Service.  He owns Hammer Down Gun & Pawn located in Sheffield, Alabama.  He has articles published in Law & Order Magazine, Police Marksman Magazine, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine as well as several published ebooks on Amazon, Kobo Writing, as well as Nook (Barnes & Noble).  He is owner of Poopiedog, an Animal Rescue Dachshund, who is his constant companion.   He is a Senior Investigative Reporter for the Quad Cities Daily.