Farmer. Army Veteran. Wounded Warrior. Country Artist. Each can be used to describe who Derek Johnson is, one fitting into the next like a puzzle. But that puzzle has so many more pieces. His family’s proud heritage in the Armed Services, from the creation of our Nation onward. A family tree that connects to the White House and America’s Team. His family’s historical connection to some of Country Music’s legends and icons. And in 2020, he added the accomplishment of being “the only Wounded Warrior to ever chart on Billboard Top 50″ with his debut single “Real Cool Kinda Hot.”
We caught up with Derek to talk about his service to Our Country, his amazing family history, and his musical journey.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
DJ: Yes, I most definitely can. I’m Derek Johnson, born in Mobile, Alabama, grew up in towns the size of a T-shirt pocket, Saraland, Excel, and Perdue Hill. Most people never believe I’ve done half the things I’ve done or the story I have… but I’ve lived in 8 states, have two degrees, lived on a 5,000 acre cattle ranch throughout high school and college, I’m related to two National Champions from Alabama Football, one of which is a NFL legend and Super Bowl Champion (Lee Roy Jordan; Dallas Cowboys), distant relation to former President Lyndon B. Johnson, and my 7th Great Grandfather founded and named Bayou La Batre, Alabama, famous for its role in Forrest Gump (Bubba Gump Shrimp Company scenes); I’m an Army Veteran, Son of the Revolution (I’ve had a family member serve in every conflict dating back to Revolutionary War); I was the Captain of my High School Golf Team (with a 2 handicap to this day), turned down a full ride scholarship in golf to Alabama for a music scholarship (dad didn’t talk to me for 5 months… he does now lol), and I played every sport at least one year growing up. I’m an avid outdoors-man, hunting and fishing, camping, riding dirt roads, the beach, going to the creek, and a big, big sports fan, college football (Alabama, Colorado State, & Texas A&M), NFL (Denver & Dallas), NBA (San Antonio), NHL (Blackhawks), MLB (Yankees, Braves, Cards); huge fan of NASA too. Trust me, this is just a start… there’s a lot more to know haha!
CN: We would first like to thank you for your service and sacrifice to our great Nation. As a member of the U.S. Army, you received several awards and honors. Can you share with us your military career? What led you to join the military?
DJ: Yes, I was a 14S, Air and Missile Defense Crew Member for the United States Army, Hooah! As an ADA crew member, we’re experts at friendly and enemy aircraft, their weapon and missile capabilities, destroying enemy aircraft and also experts on all missiles.
First, I wanted to do something for myself. I felt a calling to serve my country and to fulfill duty. And second, I’m a Son of the Revolution… every one of my family members has fought in every single conflict from the Revolutionary War to present day.
Personally, it was the best thing that’s ever happened in my life. The best decision I’ve ever made. I would do it over and over and over again. I joined to make a career out of it but my severe injuries cut me short, but I’d like to thank all of my NCO’s and brothers/sisters I served with… those that are continuing to lead today and those who are out… for helping mold me into the man I am today. Always here for y’all. And for those I’ve never served with… thank you for taking the call to duty, for carrying the torch forward for Freedom (foreign and domestic), and for your service.
CN: With everything that’s been going on in the world in regard to COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
DJ: Oh, I’m doing fine. I’m probably the guy that everyone says “he’s THAT Veteran that’s skeptical and you don’t want to ask his opinion for anything” haha. But as far as me and my family… no experiences with it. But, for anyone who has, stay safe and prayers to those.
CN: For those who don’t know, your family has a unique connection to country music surrounding your grandfather who had a very famous roommate at one point in his life as well as held company with other legends.
DJ: Yes, my Grandfather and Hank Williams Sr. were roommates (back then they called it ‘boarding mates’ because they all had their own rooms but lived in the same house. They hitch hiked around town, worked together, and also played the same circuits which span from Florida to Texas and up to Tennessee. He also bought a guitar from Bob Wills once… but sold it and then ended up with a guitar that Hank once had (in which I now have)… a 1947 Gibson Southern Jumbo. Bob had around 14 band members (he used for different shows plus depending on location and availability) but 5 of them would play for my Grandpa while in Texas. So, I definitely remember all the stories about Hank, Audrey, Bob, plus George Morgan, Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow, and many other legends of that era of Country Music… the Pioneers.
CN: Growing up in a musical family, your grandfather taught you how to play guitar at the age of 5. When did you realize that you had to pursue music – was it during those early years or later in life? Was there a specific moment that just solidified your decision?
DJ: Yes, it was the moment I understood what a Country Singer was… at 7 years old, my classmates were already nicknaming me “Nashville” and “Cowboy”… it’s kind of like the famous Elvis quote… “When I was a child, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie. So, every dream I have ever dreamed has come true a thousand times.” I just believed every single thing my Grandpa told me… I listened, I studied, I practiced over and over and over every single day. It’s very hard to describe… I was like a well oiled machine at a very young age… but luckily I had the tools to make me successful by a Grandfather who knew it was a finite structure and business to Country Music and I had the wisdom to listen and learn plus the tenacity to endure the hard times and no’s until I found my yes’s.
CN: Which musicians, country or not, have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
DJ: George Strait… by far. George Jones, Hank Williams, Mark Chesnutt, David Lee Murphy, Tracy Lawrence, Elvis Presley, Neal McCoy, and Alan Jackson.
CN: You grew up in Alabama, a fifth-generation farmer, but have also lived in seven other states across the country. How as your experiences on the farm and elsewhere not only molded your work ethic, but inspired you as a musician?
DJ: On a Farm in just like the Military… every single day one must have to wake up with the same work ethic as the day before. It’s a mindset, it’s a discipline, a structure, and no matter what… even on off days and hard ones… you have to find that spark that holds the flame that runs the engine and keep the row straight. It’s easier said than done but it’s a heck of a lot better for the rewards of your hard work and work ethic.
And living in 7 states… that’s free will plus military, but I believe that expanding your horizon and getting out of your comfort zone can help anyone learn to communicate better with different cultures without having to lose who you are. If you have an opportunity, take it. If you can create an opportunity, do it.
CN: In addition to Veteran, farmer and musician, you also hold 2 degrees: a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and a Master’s degree from Colorado State University. In what fields did you study?
DJ: I have my Bachelor of Business Management from The University of Alabama and I have my Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Colorado State University. Roll Tide and Go Rams!
CN: “Real Cool Kinda Hot” was your debut single and it not only made it to #47 on Billboard / US Country Airplay, but you also made history in becoming the first Wounded Warrior to ever chart on Billboard. What was going through your mind when you broke the top 50? What does it mean to you to be the first wounded Veteran to have a single – and a debut single to boot – chart on Billboard?
DJ: It actually took a little while to sink in that it really happened… I was in Nashville and my label guy text me and said we’re going to chart sometime this week and when we do, we’re celebrating. The way we celebrated was not conventional at all… he gave me two sentimental gifts… a BMI letterman style jacket that only 5 people have and a CMT letterman style jacket (his father found CMT and was President of BMI for a while) and then we listened to his playlist of all the songs that he had promoted to hits from 1990 up (which was about a 4 hour list). I think it finally hit me that night around 11:45 when I laid down that my name was next to all the ones I’ve been knowing and watching… and it was a humbling moment… kind of breathtaking… kept staring at it on my phone and smiling.
CN: Your latest single “Right Beer Right Now” was just released on June 23. It’s the perfect, fun summer track – what was the inspiration behind the song?
DJ: My buddy Chad whom I had just met 2 days before…had the idea rolling over to the studio that morning… and his friend (now my friend and producer) struck out on a killer melody… and we just wanted to write the most what I call melodelicious (delicious melody + lyrics) positive drinking song ever that wasn’t so much about drinking as it was about just live for today… “ain’t lookin’ back, I don’t drink that way”… really just kind of telling people in a Cool Hand Luke way to chill, raise it high, drink it down, don’t look forward, don’t look back, enjoy today to its fullest.
CN: As a Veteran, do you use music to help as a cathartic tool?
DJ: Most definitely. That’s my #1 motivation and reason why I love to write. I spend so much time focusing on how to write something in a way you’ve never heard it and melody that you get lost in the lyrics and song… it’s very much therapeutic. And for any Veteran out there that would love to write their story in a song… if you don’t want to do it on your own, reach out to me, I’ll be glad to.
CN: If you had the opportunity to collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
DJ: George Strait… 111%. Alabama. And Jana Kramer (she was an old roommate of mine briefly haha).
CN: What was the first album you ever owned?
DJ: Billy Dean was the first album I remember purchasing with birthday money… I always loved his style and vocal range. Probably one of the most underrated artists in Country Music.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
DJ: Humble. I’m the most blessed guy on the planet… my career has been very, very unconventional… had to experience quite a few bumps in the road and valley’s… it’s been a true “10 Year Town” (one of Nashville’s nicknames), but the journey has been well worth it to get to appreciate each new day as it comes and live that day to its fullest.
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?
DJ: Right now, I’m (We’re) just putting all my attention and focus on this new Billboard single and getting it to the Top 30… but since I hit BB so unconventional, my team and I are also really focused on landing a booking deal and hitting the road a lot more and introducing fans who I am along with “hey that’s my song” haha. And I’ll be in rooms all the time writing since that’s what I love most about the whole journey.
For more information on Derek Johnson, visit his website at www.derekjohnsoncountry.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For more information and to support The Wounded Warrior Project, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.