photo courtesy of facebook.com/RobbyJohnsonMusic/
photo courtesy of facebook.com/RobbyJohnsonMusic/
loading...

Today's spotlight falls on an artist that grew up in Quebec, Canada and learned to speak flawless, accent free English by watching American television.

Robby Johnson turned to American television as an escape from the loneliness of his parents divorce. Johnson was enthralled by everything American, immersing himself in a culture that was so foreign to his French-Canadian surroundings. He learned English by submerging himself in American programs, videos and networks. He was a shy boy, surrounded by despair and solitude, dreaming of the day he would find his way out.

His out was always music. Working in a manufacturing plant after high school, Johnson would sing at the top of his voice to help drown out the noise of the machinery. His life was forever changed when one Christmas he received an unusual, yet welcomed gift...a paid demo recording session. For the first time he realized that the voice that had been his inner peace could also affect others that listened. He believed so strongly in this dream, that when his employer refused him the time off to record the demo, he took the gigantic risk of packing up and moving to Nashville.

photo courtesy of facebook.com/RobbyJohnsonMusic/
photo courtesy of facebook.com/RobbyJohnsonMusic/
loading...

In Nashville, Johnson met veteran musician and producer Jimmy Nichols. Nichols was brought in to oversee the arrangements on the young singers demo, but when he heard Johnson's voice and saw his drive, Nichols brought in Grammy award winning songwriter and guitarist Frank Myers to be a part of the project. Nichols and Myers helped the youngster sort his way through the maze that is the Nashville music scene.

The hard work paid off, as one of the first songs Johnson recorded found its way to talent bookers for  David Letterman. The Canadian was asked to perform on the Late Show, and accomplishment unheard of for an independent recording artist. This incredible break led to some tremendous collaborations on Johnson's upcoming debut album. Songwriters Dallas Davidson, Shane McAnally and Sam Hunt all added to the project and country music legend Vince Gill plays slide guitar on the track "I Ain't The Guy".

Today we focus on the lead single from that debut album. Robby Johnson and "Shady" are the Catch of the Day; new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.

More From KLAW-FM