Her originals range from the comic gender bender, "Well-Tanned, Hairy-Chested, Bare-Armed Men," to her thought-provoking anthem, "A Little More Fair, A Little More Free," to the lovely, nature-inspired "It's Snowin' Tonight."
An experienced performer, Kathy has sung at festivals and clubs in the Eastern U.S. and Canada. A frequent visitor to Nashville, she has appeared at the Bluebird Café and other clubs, and has had several songs signed with Music Row publishers. She has sung at over 70 retirement communities and nursing homes in NE Ohio and Nashville.
Johnson has performed eleven years at First Night Akron, most recently at First Night 2010. She is on the Artist Roster of the Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center and the Ohio Arts Council's Performing Arts on Tour program. In 2007 she was chosen as a semi-finalist in the NewSong Academy Songwriting Contest. She showcased at the 2006 Folk Alliance Region Midwest Conference and the 2001 and 2003 Ohio Arts Presenters Network Conferences, and was an alternate for the 2001 International Folk Alliance Conference Official Showcase in Vancouver, B.C. Her song, "Way Out West" was the honored first track on the compilation Folk Train 2001 CD, featuring 24 musicians from the U.S., Canada, and England.
"Warm and inviting' may be overused when describing folk singers, but in the case of Kathy Johnson, the phrase is perfect." (Cleveland Free Times)
Kathy's first CD, Small Town Girl, was released in 1998. This entertaining, well-produced recording of 12 originals and two cowboy songs features a talented ensemble of musicians from Nashville and Akron.
"What a guileless and charming album!..." (Sing Out!)
Her second CD, Way Out West, (2000), is a collection of cowboy songs, including the original title cut and classics like "Home on the Range" and "Happy Trails."
"I like everything about this record from start to finish... heartfelt performances ... highly enjoyable." (In Review, Nashville)
Home for the Holidays (2003), Johnson's third CD, is a wonderful collection of originals, carols, and wintertime favorites.
"I had a feeling this would be something special, and it is! ... The four original songs are all standouts ... Very listenable." (Fred Dolan, WJCU-FM, Cleveland)
All of Johnson's albums have gotten radio airplay on folk, Americana, and country stations in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.