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Photo: Anthony Scarlati
Deanna Johnston:
Rock Star In Excess
Dr. Music talks with the
RockStar:INXS star about the 70's, The Singing Bee, and
Afghanistan
Many of you
will remember her name, and a few more might remember
her stunning beauty, but anyone that watched the RockStar: INXS
television reality show consistently is sure to remember
the husky and soulful voice of Deanna Johnston.
When
Johnston performed Melissa Etheridge's "I'm The Only One" and left
the stage to run through the crowd, the reality show took a dramatic
turn. As she ran up to the guys in INXS and belted out "I'm the only
one who'll walk across a fire for you," it was the first time
that many viewers thought a female vocalist actually had a shot
at fronting INXS. Her intensity and reckless abandon screamed "Rock
And Roll," and it's that blend of passion and talent that keeps
Deanna Johnston working in the business today.
After
being released from the RockStar: INXS show, Johnston was soon
snatched up for a vocalist spot in the house band of the
television game show The Singing Bee. After the show
suddenly went on hiatus, Johnston soon found work with classic rock
legend Joe Lynn Turner, appearing on Turner's latest CD, "Second
Hand Life." She is also due to appear on longtime Heart guitarist
Howard Leese's debut solo release. Apart from her daily life in
Nashville, Johnston also finds herself in Los Angeles quite
frequently, singing with L.A. Allstars, a corporate band in which
she is co-owner. She recently released a 5-song EP entitled,
"GFN," which is an acronym for God, Family, Nature.
I was recently
invited to visit with Deanna Johnston at her home in Nashville.
While I was passing through town on a family vacation, Johnston
cordially invited me and my family into her home for an
exclusive campfire-type recording session in which she so
kindly performed for all of you, the readers of Dr. Music's Weekly
Checkup. And to give you an idea of the type of person that Deanna
Johnston is, I must tell you that this session was recorded as the
sun was still starting to break the horizon line. I was on a tight
schedule and could only meet with her in the early morning hours on
June 16 (2008). She made sure to accomodate me and my family, no
matter what time it was. The fact that she reminds me of Janis
Joplin is not only because of her vocal style, but because of her
uninhibited personality. There was no formality or extensive time
needed to "get ready." Johnston is someone who likes to
sing and has the confidence to perform in any setting, under any
conditions. The recordings of that session appear throughout the
interview below and represent a very special moment for me and my
family, and also for Dr. Music's Weekly Checkup. They were recorded
with all of you in mind, from the heart and soul of a
wonderfully talented singer, Deanna Johnston.
AUDIO EXCLUSIVE - Part
One
Deanna Johnston and her guitarist
Shawn Rorie perform "Rare Desert Rain" from
her latest CD,
"GFN." Deanna also talks about the Rockstar:INXS house band, and
the time she had to prepare for each
performance.
Dr. Music: Your latest release,
"GFN," is a title that stands for "God, Family, Nature," which
sounds deeply personal. Can you tell me how you chose this
title?
Deanna Johnston: "To
be honest I didn't really even sit down and try to come up with a
title, it just came to me, without really even trying or thinking
about it. GFN, it's what's most important to me in
life.......I can't even imagine going through life without having
faith and a belief in God, or looking out my window and not seeing
trees or hiking in the forest, or having a family support unit that
I can always count on."
"I'm gonna plant my dreams and watch 'em
grow in that Rare Desert Rain"
lyrics from "Rare Desert
Rain"
DM: In
1996 you released a CD of original material under the name Mary
Magdalene. A lot has happened since that time. Do you feel that your
singing and songwriting styles have changed? If so, what is the
biggest change?
DJ: "That CD was
recorded and written at the very beginning of my career. It
was my first time in the studio actually, and my first time even
writing songs. So EVERYTHING, absolutely EVERYTHING has
changed on all levels for me!!! I'd say the only thing that
hasn't changed is where I sing from, emotionally speaking. I'm
still not afraid to just let it out, straight out of my gut, without
editing, even if I hit some 'funk' along the way. It's about
being real and in the moment."
Photo: Anthony Scarlati
DM: You
have shown many influences through your singing style and the songs
you've chosen to cover. Who would you say is your biggest
influence?
DJ:
"Janis Joplin is probably the most
listened to artist in my musical journey, but really anything blues
based, raw, emotional with a funky soul!! Any soul rock
singer....Aretha Franklin, Paul Rodgers, Robert Plant, Bono, Sass
Jordan, Steve Perry, Lenny Kravitz, Ray Lamontange, etc.
etc...."
AUDIO EXCLUSIVE - Part
Two
After getting a surprise request from my daughter, Deanna
Johnston and Shawn
Rorie pull off a fun-filled version of The
Clash's "Should I
Stay Or Should I Go."
Johnston also talks about her plans for any future
releases.
DM: You can pack only one CD in
the suitcase. Which one is it?
DJ: "Well my iPod is
very small, smaller than a CD, so I don't have to answer this
question, haa!! Very difficult to answer that. I'm really not a
FULL cd person actually. Not very many CD's keep my interest from
front to back ....only the old ones ....concept albums like 'Dark
Side of the Moon.' CD's today have some singles and then nothing
else, in my opinion. I do LOVE Ray LaMontagne CD's or Sarah
McLachlan CD's. Love to listen to an introspective CD the
best......"
DM: If you could choose
anyone alive today to work with, who would it be? Why?
DJ:
"Can I choose
more than one?? Ha!! Bono - love his
message, music, voice....Lenny Kravitz, same reason. Aretha
Franklin. She's the best singer that ever lived, in my opinion
....has it all. I would love to be able to spend time with her
and learn from her. I would LOVE to cut a song with Black
Crowes, or Aerosmith, or Robert
Plant."
DM: Did you watch any of the
"RockStar: Supernova" show? If so, why do you think it wasn't as
successful as the first season (RockStar: INXS) that you were
involved with?
DJ: "It lacked heart. It
came across cold and contrived to me. No one cared about why
they were there, and no one seemed to want to be there (talking
about the band Supernova). Seemed like the producers just
chose contestants for TV, who all had the same vibe - dark hair
and tattoos. It lacked heart and substance, I thought. INXS
was a LOVED, very loved, respected band with a ton of great hits and
songs to work with. The show overall had more of a family,
love, respect sort of feel, with great
music."
AUDIO EXCLUSIVE - Part
Three Johnston talks about her RockStar:INXS
performance of Melissa Etheridge's
"I'm The Only One," the chances of a woman becoming the singer
for INXS, and
RockStar:Supernova.
DM: Besides yourself, who do you
feel INXS should have picked as their singer?
DJ:
"Actually, I wouldn't have picked
me either. I was so NOT right for the band!! But I DID
want to be in the Top 3. I think they chose the right person,
actually. JD, as wacky as he is in so many ways, is a great
front man for that band. Saw them live ....he was
PERFECT."
Photo: Anthony Scarlati
DM: If I remember correctly, Dave Navarro
offered to work with you when you were eliminated from the RockStar:
INXS show. Have you talked with Dave about working together on any
level?
DJ:
"Yes, I reached out to him a
few times, but never got any support back....I'll leave it at
that. He was always very supportive and sooo cool on the show,
however."
DM: You recently recorded with two legends of
Rock and veterans of the music business, Howard Leese and Joe Lynn
Turner. What were those experiences like, and was there any
particular piece of advice or musical technique that was imparted to
you that might change your perspective or your approach to the music
business in the future?
DJ:
"Well, first of all, working with both of
them was an AMAZING experience, but terribly intimidating as a
vocalist. I mean Howard ....guitar player for HEART ....hello!!
Ann Wilson is one of THE, if not THE GREATEST female rock singers of
all time, and here I am with my wacky voice singing a track for
his record, knowing he's used to working with the best. And JLT, is
another unbelievably GREAT singer. Again, one of the best rock
voices ever. So I felt honoured and very small lacking ability at
the same time!!! But, writing the two songs I did with each of them
was a great experience. Somehow I came up with some really strong
material!! Yeah!!!!"
DM: You are part
of the L.A. Allstars, which is an entertainment group that is hired
by large corporate clients such as Walt Disney, Sony, and a host of
other huge conglomerates for parties. How does this gig differ from
the traditional band gig? Which do you prefer? [Do you ever wish you
were back with a traditional band like Mask, dressing up like
Madonna again?!! : )]
DJ: "Haa!!! MASK, haven't heard that in a while. I
wouldn't wanna be back there in that band for all the money in the
world!!! NO WAY.....YUCK. LA ALLSTARS are a fantastic corporate band
- top notch, pro players. I feel lucky to be part owner of a
group like that. Those gigs are typically for more of a studio
voice, more of a technical singer, but for some reason the chemistry
between myself and the two other fronts is brilliant and works. That
kind of a gig vs. a Deanna Johnston show is COMPLETELY different in
all ways. LA ALLSTARS covers any and all genres of music; 4 singers,
horn player, keys, choreography. My band is small, dirty and totally
unrehearsed, playing songs no one's ever heard!!!!! You get
what you get!!! Ha!!!! I'd rather be touring singing my own
material, but singing is singing...."
Photo:
Natalie Sojka
DM: You are constantly
singing songs from almost every genre of music - rock, soul,
R&B, adult contemporary, country, etc. Do you ever feel like you
need to define yourself as a singer?
DJ:
"I did feel like that for many
years, but because I never had a real 'artist' attitude or way of
thinking, I didn't really know I hadn't defined my voice yet. I've
spent the majority of my music career singing covers, making a
living. Never needed to have MY sound or style, even though sooo
many years on stage singing so many different styles created
one!!! I think my style, sound, and image is pretty obvious at
this point, finally. Thankfully I GET it and it comes
across!!!! If you come to one of my shows and don't hear and
see who I am, then you must be deaf and blind.....no
disrespect!!!!"
AUDIO EXCLUSIVE - Part Four
Deanna Johnston and Shawn Rorie perform "Let's Get
High" from Johnston's
latest
release,
"GFN."
DM: Where does Deanna Johnston's true musical
passion lie? ......Celine Dion or Pat Benatar? ........Janis Joplin
or Aretha Franklin?
DJ: "In ways, all of the
above!!! Celine Dion is an amazing singer and a great live
performer. Pat Benatar, WOW!!! Janis, Aretha!!! All great
female singers, the best. They've all had major roles in
helping me learn, grow and develop. But again, my voice truly
comes through on gut wrenching, blues tunes - raw. In one of
my songs on GFN, 'Rare Desert Rain', the first line is 'I was born,
born with a heartache'.. That, for some reason, seems to be
true when you hear me sing - not sure why. I've had a great life,
great family, not anymore heartache than anyone else I know.
The blues singers and musicians, where they're coming from is what I
GET and love the most out of all genres..."
DM: What decade do you feel closest to musically
- 60's, 70's, 80's, or 90's - and why?
DJ: "70's...most experimental, free,
honest........loved the soul, energy and vibe of that time.
And of course, the clothes were the best!!!!
Ha!!!"
DM: I believe you went
over to Afghanistan back in 2006 to perform for the Canadian troops.
Tell me about that experience.
DJ: "Life changing, humbling....something everyone needs
to experience if given the chance. It was like being part of
something way greater than yourself or anything you've ever
experienced. I'm going back in August, but I'm not allowed to
say where...."
DM:
Even though the ratings were decent, NBC's game show, The Singing
Bee, was cancelled. What was your experience on The Singing Bee
like, and what explanation were you given for the show's
cancellation?
DJ: "The ratings for Singing Bee were actually
AMAZING when it first aired - 12million!!! It toasted
it's competition 'Don't Forget The Lyrics,' actually. I was never
told why it went off the air. There are at least 6-8 more
episodes that we shot that are GREAT - way better than the first run
- that have never aired. Maybe it'll come out again, who knows. For
the record, that was the toughest, most stressful gig I've EVER
done. Wayyyy more stressful than RockStar. I'd rather not get into
why!!! Ha!! Let's just say that behind the scenes was very
challenging...."
 AUDIO EXCLUSIVE - Part Five
Deanna Johnston and Shawn Rorie reach
down deep to perform the tender ballad
"Love Won't" from Johnston's latest 5-song EP, "GFN."
DM: What's
the next step for Deanna Johnston?
DJ:
"Something that is great, and
terribly wrong with the music biz, is you literally never know
what's around the corner. Could be another amazing opportunity to
sing on TV and make a butt load of money, or getting a record deal
....or it could be nothing for months and months and then wondering
what the crap I'm doing still pursuing it!!! Ha!!! I just finished
my EP, 'GFN' and trying to give it a chance to be heard by record
companies here in Nashville. Doors will open when they're
supposed to; trick is to not try and open the wrong ones. In the
meantime, my songwriting partner, Shawn Rorie, and I are going to
start working on another EP. I'd love to be able to do one
every 6 months. I really really wanna tour this year as an artist,
but not sure yet how to execute that!!!! And I really really really
wanna go to Europe and tour and travel. Again, not sure yet how to
make that happen ....so WISH ME LUCK!!!! Let's see what
else.... Learning the guitar currently ....love that ....wanna
become a better songwriter and singer. That's a weird thing to
'learn.' Not even sure if it's learnable, ya know what I mean,
but wanna feel myself elevate."
Photo: Peter Svenson
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This is usually the spot where I thank
all those involved with making the interview happen; and in this
case, it was just myself and Deanna Johnston hammering out a
schedule. I would like to send a big thank you to Shawn Rorie for
getting up at the crack of dawn to play guitar for us, though! But I
just can't find words that express enough appreciation for the
hospitality that Deanna has shown me and my family. Inviting us into
her home and performing privately for the Dr. Music website is
something that truly touches my heart.
So, since I am at a loss
for better words, I will just say THANK YOU. From myself, my
family, and all of the readers of Dr. Music's Weekly
Checkup.......Thank you so very very much.
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