As the live music landscape continues to shift, it’s nice to know these places in Aiken are doing great things to keep music alive and keep patrons safely entertained.
Solo Singer/Songwriter Josephine Johnson
Did you always know what you wanted to be when you grew up? I did. As a toddler I sang Jackie Wilson songs into my mom’s wooden mixing spoons. A couple years later I sang along with Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All” until the cassette tape snapped. In high school I did musicals and played guitar. My whole life I’ve always known I am a musician.
I didn’t know, however, the twists and turns it would actually take to be who I am.
It’s taken 20 years, and no, I’m not a household name — not famous by any means — but I do make my living making music. I’m on the road a lot. And though I have a sweet apartment, I often joke I paid off my debt — student loans included — and left a university teaching gig just to live in my car and be who I am!
From Nashville to Atlanta, Savannah to Beaufort, Hilton Head, and Aiken, and along the California coast, I play in wine bars, breweries, restaurants, and listening and tasting rooms. I teach ukulele, too, online and in person, and I help young students develop their songwriting skills.
The pandemic, and corresponding bar and restaurant closures, made a significant impact in the service and entertainment industries. I’m especially grateful to Aiken Brewing Company. The business has been hosting solo and duo acts since last November to help keep local, independent music alive. If you find yourself in downtown Aiken, South Carolina, on a Friday or Saturday night and have a hankering for live music, pop into the brewery. It’s set up for COVID safety, and the staff are some of the kindest folks around. Oh, and the craft brew is delicious.
Another great spot that supports live music in Aiken is Rose Hill, at 221 Greenville Street NW. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the place hosts music at the Stables Restaurant as well as in their fine dining establishment, Sheffield’s. As the live music landscape continues to shift, it’s nice to know these places in Aiken are doing great things to keep music alive and keep patrons safely entertained.
In coming months I’m going to share more about some of the people, places, and stories about how I got here. In many ways I’m very lucky — I get to do what I absolutely love, and travel among different towns doing it. I meet many different, funny, genuinely kind, inspiring people and get to visit some of the nation’s most beautiful places. Coastal South Carolina and Georgia are truly God’s country!
This April I’m looking forward to releasing new music — a 6-song EP (mini album) “Double High Five” — that took almost a year and a half to bring to life. I’m excited and grateful to have these songs out and available in the world soon. For sure, I’ll share a little of what it was like recording, producing, and releasing the project.
So, c’mon, join the adventure. I’m looking forward to sharing with you what I learn on the road playing music in great communities throughout South Carolina — it’s gonna be a blast! You can learn more about me and my schedule at JosephineJohnsonSings.com. ‘Til next time, stay true, keep moving forward, and always be you.
