Bruce 'Mississippi' Johnson Interview - PETE'S ROCK NEWS AND VIEWS.COM

Bruce ‘Mississippi’ Johnson Interview

Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (http://petesrocknewsandviews.com)

PD: What type of artist are you?

BMJ: I call myself a blue, soul singer. My music straddles soul, blues and funky music.

PD: Tell us the brief history of yourself.

BMJ: I was born in Starkville, Ms. USA. I grew up in my grandfather’s church but didn’t sing as a child. I met my father for the first time when I was 10 and this meeting lead me to leaving Mississippi. to live with him in Indianapolis, Ind. I started singing in high school. I was a U.S. Marine for 7 years. I have lived in Hawaii, Africa and Now Europe. I now live in London with my wife and 6 year old daughter.

PD: Who are your musical and non-musical influences?

BMJ: Many singers of jazz, soul, blues and gospel both male and female have influenced me and it’s impossible to mention just one and it’s for this that I do not have a favourite artist. I’m influenced by life’s experiences and the positive that I have had the privilege of being touched by them but once again I can’t name just one person.

PD: What are your dreams and goals?

BMJ: I’m not much of a dreamer per se. As a goal I want to touch as many people as possible with my music and be that 20 people or 1 million if they get what I’m doing then my work is fulfilling a never ending goal.

PD: Who writes your songs, what are they about?

BMJ: I write my own music with the help of my talented friends. I have spent so many years of my career singing great covers and one could think that this is heaven, how much better could it get? Well I have never had more satisfaction that singing my own lyrics, telling my own stories in my own language!

PD: How do you promote your band and shows?

BMJ: Along with my manager we have to DIY everything. I paid for a couple of services leading to the release of my CD “The Deal Baby” one successful and one a rip off so can’t afford to take certain types of risks. I have had no backing whatsoever so social media has been the way.

PD: What do you think about downloading music online?

BMJ. The possibilities are there so people are going to exploit them.

PD: What’s your outlook on the record industry today?

BMJ: The record industry is so far removed from my journey that I can’t comment on it. Where is “real music” happening these days? I am a member of The Struggling Musician’s Club and I am the proud captain of my own ship in the world I live in. I have full artist freedom and no way of getting it to the masses

PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?

BMJ: Ahhhh do I have to play;)? I have never said these words to myself before but as we’re here, Almost Blue, I’m Your Man to name two but man there are so many of them! I’m a lyric lover so that question would have really overloaded my brain!!

PD: What are some of your pet peeves?

BMJ: People trying to under pay me.

PD: What is your proudest moment in music?

BMJ: I have two! Winning a Jack Daniel’s Music Competition judged by the late great Nina Simone and getting a double platinum record for my participation in a French Collective named Forever Gentlemen which went on to win triple platinum

PD: Tell us about your next shows and why we should be there.

BMJ: My next show will be in Paris, France and as we are trying to get booked daily dates will pop up. All of my future shows are updated on my website regularly. You should be there to discover and support new music by a new singer in the styles of blues, soul and funky music played by a smokin’ hot band.