There's a HOPE AND A PROMISE and it's from JAG Productions recording artist Julie Johns! Released in June 2000, this up and coming country star's debut CD, "HOPE AND A PROMISE", has something for everyone! Julie has that special exuberance and newness that only comes from youth.
Julie has been singing as long as can be remembered. One of her early memories was at age six. Julie auditioned and won a place in her schools select choir with an a cappella version of "Part of your World" from Disney's "The Little Mermaid". Her teacher told her Dad, that she had never heard someone this young sing with the clarity and tone as Julie had! That same year, as a birthday gift for her Dad, Julie got up and sang a song in front of her family's church. Everyone was touched and amazed at her sweet voice. There wasn't a dry eye in the place.
When Julie was eight, her Mom, a Patsy Cline fan, rented the movie "Sweet Dreams", about the life of Patsy Cline. After watching it numerous times, Julie told her parents that all she wanted was to be a singer like Patsy! That Christmas Julie received a karaoke machine and some tapes of Patsy Cline songs. At the age of 11, Julie sang "Crazy" for the school talent show. Snickers were heard from the other kids in the crowd as Julie walked on to the stage in her western outfit. "I can still remember the surpised looks on their faces when she began to sing. The whole place went quiet and jaws dropped!" says Julie's Dad. After that performance, Julie began singing at the local Opry's in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, and any place else she could find! The very first place that Julie auditioned at was"Johnnie High's Country Music Revue". "I was so nervous and was sure I had blown the audition" says Johns. "I remember having tears in my eyes as we left the theatre, but my Dad told me I had done great and not to be up set. He told me "you never know what tomorrow holds", and a week later I got a letter from Johnnie High informing me that I had been chosen to be on his show".
In December of 1997, when Julie was thirteen, she recorded her first demo tape. On it were four songs. "Your Cheatin' Heart", "Take It Back", "Sweet Dreams" & "Amazing Grace". That tape helped open the doors for Julie to perform at"Billy Bob's Texas" for KYNG 105.3 "Young Country" radio and at the Hunt County fair. Julie also sold tapes at her shows and gained a healthy fan base in the DFW area. "Your Cheatin' Heart" has almost become a signature song for me", says Johns.
Julie's musical influences include Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Reba, The Judds, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, George Strait & George Jones. "I like lots of different kinds of music, but I just love traditional country. There is no one like Patsy or Loretta or the "Possum" (George Jones)!"
Julie's debut album was recorded at Studio "A" in Haltom City, TX and was completed in April 2000. The album contains 11 songs, two of which are original songs,"Come Back Baby" by Cindy Simmons and "Hope And A Promise" by Rick Conklin. Other standouts include "Crazy", "Break It To Me Gently", "Don't Touch Me" & "Even God Must Get The Blues". Julie Johns has recorded an album filled with soul and emotion and one that will no doubt appeal to music lovers of all ages.
Rick Conklin stated, "Julie is one talented young lady that has a lot of "Hope and a Promise" for making it in Country Music, or anything else she goes after!"
Copyright © 2000 JAG. All rights reserved.
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