Wanda Johnson: News

For the third year, "SoCo" will be name sponsor of the Lowcountry Blues Bash (19th annual), February 6-15, 2009, in Charleston, SC. Wanda Johnson & Shrimp City Slim will perform their traditional shows at the Mills House hotel on Fri-Sat Feb 13-14. More info to come!

Frm the CD "Hold What You Got"...in position No. 26 as of July 27, on the Roadhouse Blues & Boogie Top 40. "Allergic to Mink" (also from 'Hold') "bubbling under" the Top 40.

Wanda knocked 'em out in Cognac, France this weekend July 26-27 at Cognac Blues Passions. Noted blues journalist Jocelyn Richez said in his report on Le Chain du Blues (French-language blues email list): "Pour moi, la revelation du festival fut Wanda Johnson accompagne par le groupe de Shrimp City Slim...dont j'ai beaucoup aime la prestation du dimanche; sa voix, son repertoire original..."
(For me, the revelation of the festival was Wanda Johnson backed up by the band of Shrimp City Slim. I really loved her show on Sunday, her voice, her original repertoire...).

Thanks to Michel, Joel, Noelle, Laure, Eric & Coco and everyone else on the festival team...what a great time!

15 shows - please click on 'Calendar' for locations.

Thanks to interviewer Scott Bock and editor Jacques Perin of Soul Bag!
www.soulbag.presse.fr

"Thank you for all the prayers, calls, cards, and other expressions of condolences that were poured out upon me and my family after the death of my father, Jake Johnson. Please continue to prayer for me, my mother, and my sisters as we walk through this time of grieving. My daddy was a Godly, humble, and wise man who was greatly loved by his family and community. I know that God loved him best of all. Again, my sincere thanks."
-Wanda Johnson

Up to #8 this week on the Roadhouse Blues & Boogie Top 40. www.beachshag.com
"Dropping Names" can be found on Wanda's latest CD "Hold What You Got".

Services for Wanda's Dad, Jake Johnson, will take place Monday, June 9 at 11 am at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, 704 Trail Rd., Belton, SC 29627 Arrangements are being handled by Marcus D Brown Funeral Home in Anderson (phone 864-225-2220). He will be interred at Dolly Cooper Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Anderson, SC.

Wanda's Dad, Jake Johnson, passed away last night at Anderson Area Medical Center in Anderson, SC. He was 80 years old. Condolences can be sent to Wanda Johnson & family, PO Box 14434, Anderson, SC 29624

Wanda's Piccolo Spoleto shows this weekend -
Friday, June 6 at Mad River Bar & Grille and Saturday, June 7 at JB Pivots Beach Club - will be performed by her band only. As far as we can tell now, Wanda should be able to perform next weekend in Greenville. More news soon.

Wanda's "Bad Case of the Blues" show Saturday night at JB Pivots Beach Club was a huge success...over 125 in attendance were wowed by Wanda and the band (Silent Eddie: guitar; LaMont Garner: drums; new bassist LaVonta Green, and SCS on keys), performing selections from her three CDs.

As many of you know, Wanda's father suffered a heart attack Saturday night and Wanda returned home to Belton Sunday morning, missing the Sunday night show at A Dough Re Mi (which was staged by the band...sub Jerome Griffin on bass). FYI thanks for prayers...Wanda's Dad is doing better and will hopefully be home in a couple of days.

Next Piccolo shows for Wanda: Fri June 6, 4-7 pm at Mad River downtown and Sat June 7, 8 pm back at Pivots. Get your tickets early: www.piccolospoleto.com

Up to position #13 this week on the Roadhouse Top 40... www.beachshag.com
Oh yeah!

Tickets are selling steadily for" Bad Case of the Blues: The Voice of Wanda Johnson", Wanda's 4-concert series on the Piccolo Spoleto festival in Charleston, May 24-June 7.. You can purchase in advance at www.piccolospoleto.com
HOWEVER tickets WILL be available at the gate for all shows.

In the latest BR (June/July 2008, Kenny Neal on cover), Thomas Cullen III calls "Hold What You Got": "A triumpant low-key gem that's simultaneously tough & tender." www.bluesrevue.com

Myrtle Beach's premier shag/beach record shop has a fresh supply of "Hold What You Got": Judy's House of Oldies, 300 Main St., N. Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 tel: 843-249-8649. Just in time for "S.O.S." (Shaggin' on the Strand)!

"Wanda Johnson may well be on her way to becoming the new voice of soul and blues. Overall, "Hold What You Got" reflects a mature and strong-willed woman. Johnson's full potential is yet to come. When it does, she'll be one of the great vocalists of our generation.
The entire review can be found at
http://www.southwestblues.com/reviews/2008/cd-03-08wanda-johnson.htm

"Dropping Names" charting at #9 on Roadhouse chart (please see www.beachshag.com) with "Allergic to Mink" bubbling under.
Thanks to Fess' John Hook & crew!

Not that it's a surprise, but "Hold" is getting action on the shag/beach circuit. I guess, living here on the Carolina coast, we were bound to slip a few danceable numbers in!

Charleston-based deejays Walter Upchurch and Betty Brown are spinning "Hold" at JB Pivots Beach Club, Harriett Grady-Thomas's great nightspot on Highway 17 South in Charleston. And Judy's House of Oldies in North Myrtle Beach has stocked the CD.

Noted South Carolina shag radio kingpin Mike Little has written a nice review saying, "'Allergic to Mink' just may be the key song on the 14-cut release. However, you will want to pay close attention to "Wheel Your Love to Me"...This girl's going places!" Full review at
http://jackcrumpton.tripod.com/beachmusic45/id580.html

Dave Ruthenberg, in Living Blues (#195, just out), waxes enthusiastic about "Hold What You Got" - saying, "South Carolina native Wanda Johnson is a hidden treasure that deserves to be unearthed and her latest, "Hold What You Got", may just bring her talent to light...the results are stunning...this could well be the album that propels (her) further on the road to stardom." www.livingblues.com

Issue #190, March, 2008: review giving "Hold What You Got" the highest ranking possible - Le Pied...essentially 5 stars! Essentially..."essential"!

"Dropping Names" from "Hold" is also on the 13-song CD sampler given away free in this issue of Soul Bag. Merci!
www.soulbag.presse.fr

LIVE from Clemson University, Saturday, April 5, 11 am-1 pm. Probably two songs. Check your local NPR listings.