Meet Kelli Johnson | Singer/Songwriter

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

Hi Kelli, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Short answer is I knew that I was never going to love doing anything else as a career. I have tried many jobs to prove that theory. I have always felt like I was on my own little island , and that no one really understood me. Even growing up in a large family, I always felt a little different and alone.
I’ve always been a very empathetic and emotional person, so the best way for me to channel that and not just take on everyone else’s emotions, on top of my own emotions, was to begin creating music.
I started banging on our old piano as soon as I could walk over to it. I was creating melodies and songs even before I knew what I was doing. I wrote my first song with words when I was 8. I felt like it was a superpower. When everything around me was chaotic, I could live inside of a song and it helped me process feelings that I didn’t have a full understanding of yet. I wanted to be able to give that to other people.
I’ve heard many creators say that music is their therapy, and I believe it is.
I’ve worked with soldiers suffering PTSD, victims of assault, and other individuals who wouldn’t really be open to conventional therapy.
But the need to tell our story is universal. And music helps us process and move through it a little easier.
Being able to put our negative emotions to music and create something beautiful out of it is one of the most powerful things that we can do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a singer / songwriter. I enjoy touring as an artist , but I really enjoy writing songs for other artists to sing and record. There’s something so satisfying in listening and helping people craft their story into a song . It feels like magic.
. I began my career as a singer, and it has gradually evolved into becoming the person behind the songs. I moved to Nashville in 2017, and began meeting people and building my own community. The hardest part was reminding myself that I wasn’t on a deadline. When I relaxed and took desperation out of the equation, I made better decisions, kept better company, and created better art.
There’s still a hunger and a passion for what I do, but setting goals and not time tables for achieving them has helped me tremendously.
The biggest lesson I learned was not to let my music be the only thing that brought me validation and joy.
This business can literally be a roller coaster.
I had to anchor myself to the permanent and steadfast things in my life , like my faith and my family, and let music be the creative outlet it was meant to be.
Suffering for art was not my cup of tea. I wanted to enjoy my art. And putting too many expectations on it quickly took the joy out of it. But when I appreciate my art, and let creativity lead, and don’t require my art to be my sole reason for being, it’s much more rewarding and fun.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m much more of a nature lover than a party person. My perfect day is riding my dual sport bike down the Natchez Trace and just enjoying nature. I love to camp and hang out by a fire. I also love building things with my hands. I love to take old things and make them new.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

First and foremost is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I owe everything to Him. I’ve always said that my three children are the reason I do any good and worthwhile thing in this life.

As far as friends and professionals, Drake White  and Billy Dawson have been two of my biggest cheerleaders and dearest friends in this business. They’re two of the most talented and encouraging people I know!

Website: www.thekellijohnson.com

Instagram: Www.instagram.com/thekellijohnson

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kellijohnsonmusic

Youtube: www.youtube.com/kellijohnsonmusic

Image Credits
Mason Dixon Lights Donna Quinn