We had the good fortune of connecting with John Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was raised in Dickson County, a rural county approximately 40 miles west of Nashville. When I grew up in this area there were not a lot of choices of extracurricular activities outside of sports. I took a few private guitar lessons but there was not a program like the Quest Center at that time. After graduating high school I spent all of my adult life working in the music industry. When I returned to Dickson County in 2021, I was thrilled to witness the remarkable impact of the Quest Center on my hometown. This program, unlike anything available during my youth, uses the power of music to bring positive change to the lives of children in rural, lower-income communities. Its focus extends to at-risk youth and individuals with disabilities, empowering them to fulfill their potential. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Quest Center is deeply committed to its mission and vision. It maintains an operating model that ensures unconditional accessibility to its programs for all children, including those with special needs, regardless of financial resources or abilities.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Quest Center utilizes the power of music to positively impact the lives of children residing in rural, economically disadvantaged communities.

Certainly, there are many programs throughout the country that serve youth, but most are not focused on rural, underserved communities where lack of scale & resources make it difficult to establish and grow a sustainable business. The Quest Center’s focus on youth development and our unique business model makes it easy for families to participate and for children to be successful.

• We serve all children grades 4-12 unconditionally, including children living with disabilities.
• We partner with other youth organizations to aggressively target the most underserved children in the community, including partnerships with the Dickson County Board of Education and local school administrations.
• We conduct most classes throughout the community where children live and attend school helping to reduce transportation issues – including after-school programs at all 8 Dickson County public elementary schools.
• We provide free use of instruments, both in-class and at home.
• We conduct classes and music education programs year-round, often at times when children need structured activities most – especially during critical after-school hours and school breaks.
• We offer extended education activities that expose students to diverse careers in music – technical, business, operational & creative – often with industry professionals.
• We provide mentoring & leadership development opportunities by hiring high-school and middle-school students as classroom teaching assistants and camp assistants.
• No child is turned away for financial reasons, but everyone is expected to contribute.
• Students are expected to ‘give back,’ supporting school, community & fundraising events.

The task is not easy, but the passion for the mission makes it achievable. It requires focus, unwavering commitment, resilience, a trusted network of advisors – relationships matter. No one does this alone, although you often feel like you’re alone.

It is a fact that opportunity is not equally distributed among children, Our inclusive approach ensures that every child can participate, regardless of their financial circumstances, while encouraging a sense of shared responsibility among all participants. Our goal is to empower them to unlock their full potential. Through our programs, we nurture essential skills such as self-confidence, positive self-esteem, social interaction, and creativity. These skills not only facilitate academic success but also equip students to thrive in the competitive job market and forge stronger bonds within the community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ryman Auditorium. The Mother Church! This should be required for anyone visiting Nashville.
National Museum of African American Music. Whatever type of music you favor, this place is amazing. Across from Ryman on 5th Ave. Lots of exhibits, many interactive

The Basement, 8th Ave S. (NOT to be confused with its sister, the Basement East). A small claustrophobic live music club featuring all genres of music. Owned by great music guys. Every Tuesday at 8:00 they host New Faces Night featuring bands and singer/songwriters from around the world. 3-4 songs each, quick turnaround. And free. The OG Basement also hosts free outdoor shows on Friday evenings.

Centennial Park, West End Ave, around 25th Ave N. Across from Vanderbilt campus. There’s a full-size replica of the Parthenon.

The Station Inn, 12th Ave S. The Gulch neighborhood was once depressed, and now it’s filled with high-end condos, shops… But the tiny Station Inn remains. Every Sunday night there’s a free bluegrass jam that is fantastic. Get there early or you’ll be waiting in line all night.

The Bluebird Cafe. Small iconic venue an uber ride down 21st Ave S. in the Green Hills section. Intimate performance space with singer-songwriters.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The idea of the Quest Center was conceived 15 years ago by Jim Lutz, who recognized the limited extracurricular opportunities available for youth in this rural area beyond organized sports and structured after-school activities. He also recognized that many children could not (or would not) participate in these types of programs. With a keen eye for the needs of the community, Jim spearheaded the development of a comprehensive plan to develop a non-classical music program, garnering support and forging invaluable partnerships. Commencing with a modest enrollment of 3 or 4 students, the program has since flourished, now reaching an impressive annual count of 1,860 children benefiting from its services in our community.

Website: https://www.qcdickson.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestcenter/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thequestcenter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thequestcenter

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thequestcenterforartcommun7902

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