Chris Johnston – Blame it on his family

Being a musician I have to say there would be no Austin music scene without these wonderful people who love music. Want all of you to know we can’t do it without you. I love my music family. 

– Chris Johnston

Why are we the way we are? Clearly, it is our families fault. Why is Chris Johnston such a fabulous guitar player? It is his families fault. But he too is to blame. He mastered the instrument. Chris is one of those players that you can’t help but say, “damn, that was good.” I have been photographing Chris for about three years. My first introduction to him was at the open mic’s at Parmer Lane. He is extraordinary. Chris tell your story.

1). Who is Chris Johnston?

I AM CHRIS JOHNSTON, A LOCAL AUSTIN MUSICIAN.  I WORK ON NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION DURING THE DAY BUT BY NIGHT IT’S ALL ABOUT MUSIC.  AROUND THE AGE OF 9 MY DAD STARTED TEACHING ME BASIC GUITAR CHORDS.  WHEN I WAS 11, I ASKED HIM TO GET ME A COLOR TV FOR CHRISTMAS.  WHEN CHRISTMAS MORNING CAME, I FOUND A SEARS GUITAR & AMP COMBO UNDER THE TREE.  I WAS DISAPPOINTED BUT LATER I WAS SO GLAD HE DID BECAUSE IT CHANGED MY PATH IN LIFE COMPLETELY.  I DO HAVE TWO ADDICTIONS AND THAT IS CARS AND GUITARS.  MY MAIN GUITAR CAME TO ME IN A UNIQUE WAY.  I CAME HOME FROM A LOCAL MUSIC STORE AND TOLD MY WIFE ABOUT A GUITAR I HAD PLAYED AND REALLY ENJOYED.  I DESCRIBED IT TO HER AND TOLD HER MAYBE I COULD AFFORD ONE LIKE IT SOME DAY.  WELL, LOW AND BEHOLD I COME HOME FROM WORK A FEW DAYS LATER TO FIND A GUITAR CASE SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM.  A CUSTOM SHOP TELE JR.  IT IS AN AMAZING GUITAR AND SHE IS AN AMAZING PERSON.

2). Tell me about your current projects

OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE PLAYED WITH MANY DIFFERENT BANDS.  THE MAIN ONE BEING THE JOHNSTON BROTHERS.  WE PLAYED EVERY VENUE THAT WOULD LET US IN THE DOOR.  MY BROTHER JEFF ON THE BASS AND BROTHER MARK ON THE DRUMS.  WE STILL GET TOGETHER FROM TIME TO TIME.  A FEW YEARS AGO, I JOINED AMERICAN GYPSY BAND WITH ERIK HANCHEY, BRENT SAMPERI AND JAVI MOCTEZUMA.  IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.  THE BAND ALREADY HAD A LOYAL FOLLOWING, A GREAT SOUND AND SEVERAL ALBUMS OF ORIGINAL MATERIAL.  THE BEST PART IS WE HAVE BECOME WONDERFUL FRIENDS AND ENJOY BEING AROUND EACH OTHER.

3). Give me your interpretation of the Austin Music Scene of the past, present, and your hope for the future.

AUSTIN HAS AN AMAZING MUSIC SCENE.  THINGS HAVE DEFINITELY CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.  WHEN I MOVED HERE IN THE LATE 80’S AUSTIN HAD A SOUND.  IT WAS DEEP BLUES WITH A ROCK EDGE.  IT WAS ALSO INFUSED WITH FUNK.  IT WAS MY FAVORITE TIME IN AUSTIN.  I WAS SOAKING IT UP LIKE A SPONGE AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY GOT THAT SOUND.  WHAT I FOUND WAS IT WAS MORE ABOUT THE PERSON THAN IT WAS THE EQUIPMENT THEY USED.  EVERYONE HAD A TONE OF THEIR OWN, YOU JUST HAD TO LISTEN.  TODAY I FEEL THE AUSTIN MUSIC SCENE HAS SHIFTED AWAY FROM THE BLUES AND HEADED MORE TOWARDS THE COUNTRY SOUND.  ALSO, I FEEL LIVE MUSIC TOOK A HIT OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS BUT I BELIEVE IT IS MAKING A BIG COMEBACK.  WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF NEW PEOPLE AT OUR GIGS.  PLAYING 3 TO 5 NIGHTS BECAUSE THE PEOPLE ARE COMING OUT.  I THINK THE FUTURE WILL ONLY GET BETTER.

4). A.I. and music, your thoughts

I LOVE OLD AMPS AND OLD GUITARS BECAUSE TO ME THEY HAVE A SOUL.  YOU CAN HEAR IT AND FEEL IT.  I LIKE THE SOUND OF SOMEONE SINGING A LITTLE OFF KEY, A LITTLE OFF TIME. IT GIVES IT A WARMER ORGANIC SOUND.  AI CAN’T REPLICATE SOUL.  THE DRIP IN REAL REVERB, THE ACCIDENTAL HARMONIES FROM TOUCHING A STRING THE RIGHT WAY.  IT IS GETTING BETTER BUT I DON’T SEE IT REPLACING TRUE TALENT.

5). What is the question you are never asked?

WHAT WOULD LIFE BE LIKE WITHOUT MUSIC?  IT WOULD BE SO BORING.  I CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE NOT HAVING MUSIC IN MY LIFE.  I HAVE HAD SO MANY BAD DAYS TURNED INTO GOOD BY HEARING SOMEONE SING ABOUT WHAT I WAS GOING THROUGH AND REALIZING EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY.  ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT MUSIC IS THE PEOPLE I HAVE MET OVER THE YEARS.  THE MUSIC COMMUNITY IS AMAZING.  WE ARE ALWAYS THERE TO HELP AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER.  LIFE WITHOUT MUSIC?  I COULDN’T EVEN FATHOM