Home for the Holidays is Johnson's third CD. This November 2003 release is a wonderful collection of originals, carols, and wintertime favorites. Like her earlier CDs, this features a talented ensemble of players and creative arrangements. In addition to familiar songs like "Winter Wonderland," "Button Up Your Overcoat," and "What Child is This," the four originals on the CD are:
"Home for the Holidays," a heart-warming song with a great chorus
"Let's Keep Christmas in December," with a memorable melody and message
"It's Snowin' Tonight," an impressionistic and evocative creation
"First Night," a special New Year's Eve song
Johnson's first two CDs got a great reception among critics and fans. Small Town Girl, (1998) is a wonderful recording with 12 originals, including the comic gender bender, "Well-Tanned, Hairy-Chested, Bare-Armed Men," and two old cowboy songs. ("What a guileless and charming album!" - Sing Out!) Her second CD, Way Out West (2000) is a fascinating collection of cowboy songs with an original title cut and classics like "Home on the Range." ("I like everything about this record from start to finish... heartfelt performances ...charming collection ...highly enjoyable." - In Review, Nashville.) Johnson's albums have gotten radio airplay on folk, Americana, and country stations in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Based in NE Ohio, Kathy Johnson has performed at festivals and clubs in the Eastern U.S. and Canada. She has been a frequent visitor to Nashville, appearing at the Bluebird Café and other clubs. She has had several songs signed with Music Row publishers. Kathy has performed seven years at First Night Akron, is on the Artist Roster of the Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center and the Ohio Arts Council's Performing Arts on Tour program. She was chosen to showcase at the 2001 and 2003 Ohio Arts Presenters Network Conference and was an alternate for the 2001 Folk Alliance Conference Official Showcase in Vancouver, B.C.
"‘Warm and inviting' may be overused when describing folk singers, but in the case of Kathy Johnson, the phrase is perfect." (Cleveland Free Times)"Covering a wide gamut of subjects as well as styles, Kathy moves seamlessly from serious to hilarious." (Kent State University Folk Festival)