We spoke with Carolyn Dawn Johnson about “Road Blocks”

Hello, it’s great to have the opportunity to chat with you. Can you tell us about who Carolyn Dawn Johnson is?

I am a country bumpkin, with a missing front tooth, that likes to sing about beer, whiskey, cheating and going broke. JOKING! (On some of the points) I grew up on a farm in Northern Alberta until I hit high school then I moved to a small town named Westlock. My family was musical, singing & playing in local community events and church and music was always a pretty big part of my life. While I thought it would be great to do music for a living, because that was what I was the most passionate about, it also seemed like a crazy dream and not logical. So when I got out of high school I went to college to pursue sciences thinking that was the practical thing to do as I had good grades. I realized after a couple years I was spinning my wheels, so I took a year off to figure out what I was going to do and during that time, I made a decision to follow my heart and start heading in the direction of a career in music.

I like humans, in general I think they are inherently good and we all really want the same things. I like to inspire humans. I like to make them feel. Generally I like to make people feel good, like my friends, family and loved ones, and then at a larger scale, my fans. It doesn’t hurt us to be kind, and I’d like to think that is how I live, and it comes across in my music. I’ve lived a lot. Perhaps many lives, I don’t know, but I sing about real things and absolutely know that music was always destined to be my path in this life.

I’m interested in how you began your musical journey. Did you always know that this was your desired path?

I think that I always knew, but as I said in my other question, I loved music so much, I didn’t really know that I could make a living “doing music” per se, so I went a different direction that seemed safer and smarter for me, but in turn didn’t make me happy. So when I was still, and listened, when I took time to re-evaluate, I decided “why not me?” “why not”. When I was really young, I dreamed of just always doing music, but I don’t think I really had the foresight back then to see what I’m doing now.

Congratulations on the release of ‘Road Blocks’. Could you please provide us with some insight into it?

Road Blocks is a fun, rockin’ anthem like song that sounds like it’s just a feel good song. It has so many road & traveling references, a whole bunch of the literal stuff to make a point, but it’s really about the road of life.  We all have things that show up in front of us, that most often are not expected or wanted, that try to keep us from being the person we want to be or are meant to be. You have to decide if you are just going to turn around and forget about that life or dream, or if you are going to find a way to go around or get through and still head in the direction you want to go.  The song is about recognizing that they are there, the Road Blocks, and deciding you are not letting them stop you. It’s a part of life, but you have to keep your eye on the prize.. Often times, they send you in another direction that is better and teach you lessons along the way.

How do you ensure your continuous growth and development as an artist?

That is a great question. I think by continuing to write and get out and play, and triyng new collaborations or stretching my musicianship. Doing the same ole same ole, can feel not as inspiring, and therefore stagnant. Expanding can be unnerving after you’ve been doing this a long time like I have, because you wonder if you still have anything to say & will you still have worth? But you always do, life constantly feeds you subject matter, so the more you live, the longer you live, the more you can talk about. Bringing fresh new creative spirits into your life always adds growth. I was once the new kid on the block that brought a new energy into seasoned writers and musicians life, now I feel like I get the benefit of having that come into my life and me being the craftsman that’s kind of done it all. We benefit each other and I find there is always growth in that. We are really all snowflakes musicially, and always have something to offer that is different then someone else. It is a beautiful thing.

What can we anticipate from your upcoming releases in terms of style and sound? How will they differ from your previous works?

I think the sound on this album may be a little more rock this time. I’ve had some people say that I could put on a rock show. Maybe…..but there is still some bone country stuff on here too. I’d say the whole record is country, it’s just that a few tracks, production wise, are extra cinematic and have a rockier edge to them. The subject matter lent itself to that and I didn’t try to hone it in to be more polite or anything like that. I let it be what it sounded like it needed to be. There is still a bunch of CDJ harmonies on some of the tracks and then again, some not. I really looked at each song as an individual and let them be colored in the direction they leaned. There are a lot of stories, and there is a lot of heart. I haven’t really said any of the things on this record before, so you are definitely getting some new subject matter here. I didn’t do that on purpose, but I did choose songs based on my personal love for them. Some autobiographical, some not. Well, this is actually a pretty personal record…..I’m thinking they all have some, if not all, my truth in them.

Where are you located? Can you share with us how the local music scene has influenced your sound in any way?

I live in Nashville. I play a lot of songwriter nights here with talented friends and I’m always inspired by them, even if I”ve heard their songs many times before. The bare bones of a song, just the songwriter and their piano or guitar always inspires me to write a song that can be sung just on it’s own. No bells and whistles. There is this deep part of me that always wants the peers I love so much to love what I do too. We respect each other. I feel that that always is going to level someone up, or inspire them, if you want to hang with the greats. I love my songwriting community, they make me want to be a better writer and artist all the time.

If you had the opportunity to perform at any venue worldwide, which one would you choose and why?

Wow, good question. I don’t know that answer. Any stage is good for me, big or small, as long as the audience is listening and can catch a vibe.

Can we anticipate a forthcoming EP or album from you soon?

I am working on a 12 song album right now, my goal is to have it out before the end of the first quarter of 2024.

Finally, do you have anything to share about upcoming gigs? Also, what plans do you have for 2024?

2024 is all about new music, going on the road and reaching as many fans as possible while trying to be the best mom I can be to my 2 precious children/teenagers. I’ll be bringng them with me whenever I can.