The Johnson Family Quartet History

The Johnson Family Quartet features the two youngest professional singers in Southern Gospel music on the West Coast.  Ben is 17 years old, and his sister, Bonnie Sue, just turned 19.  They have been singing as a quartet with their parents, Don and Beth, after winning the Western States Gospel Music Association's Talent Showcase for 2002.  This began their love for Southern Gospel music.

It all began in the car, when Bonnie and Ben were just learning to sing the old hymns of the faith on the way to church. The children were about 3 and 5 then, when they began to sing those favorite old hymns.  Since that time, they have had the joy of singing to audiences throughout the West Coast primarily, but not exclusively.    In the summer of 2005, the Johnsons had the opportunity to attend the prestigious Ben Speer's Stamps-Baxter School of Music in Nashville, TN., where in trio form; they were honored with singing on the coveted closing program.  The family enjoys singing for churches and various banquets. Community events such as “Christmas in April” (an event for the purpose of helping those with housing needs) have enjoyed their energetic and positive musical entertainment for their auctions.  Nursing homes/charitable events, 4th of July celebrations, community Christmas programs and conventions are also on their itinerary.   This family group had the honor of singing for The Great Western Gospel Music Fan Festival in Fresno last spring at the Save Mart Arena at Fresno State University. The quartet has been extended the invitation to sing again in 2010.  Bonnie has been featured as a soloist as far as Houston, Texas.  Ben has enjoyed a month of traveling with the Hall of Fame group, The Weatherfords, on an extensive tour of the Midwest, Northeastern states, and Canada.  The Johnsons travel weekly, filling about 50 dates per year. Touring has taken them all along the West Coast, up into Montana, down into Texas, and eastwardly to Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia.

The Johnson Family Quartet was accepted for membership into the Western States Gospel Music Association in 2004, and are proud to be affiliated with this fine organization.  With 5 CD projects completed and the experience of travel, radio and television studio work, the Johnsons are grateful to the Lord for their successes, and are delighted that the King would see fit to use them for spreading His gospel through this fantastic style of music.  Their musical style is decidedly Southern Gospel with a hint of country.  Some of the things the family has enjoyed most about all these experiences is the ability to work together.  Often a comment is made from the audiences, that they really appreciate seeing a family that has found a ministry that they truly enjoy, and can be used to bless other people... together. Other less significant, but interesting things learned along the way, are that the family has found all the LATE night eateries along the main highways of America!  Birthdays celebrated in a different tour stop every year has brought a few laughs when fondly remembered.  Seeing kids that are brought to the concerts sit up and listen because there are kids in the family group, brings a special joy because it means God is using the family to reach a broad cross-section of people.  Southern Gospel is one of the rare styles of music that can do that.  Tight 4-part family blending is a hallmark quality that the family strives for, because they know it is much sought after by discriminating audiences who enjoy this style of harmony.

So, what is life like at home when not on the road? Christian theatre takes up some of the time, and is a nice change of pace... a different kind of ministry.  Don enjoys an occasional round of golf,  Beth has quilting she'd like to finish, and enjoys a garden if she can get to it before the gophers do!  Living in the mountains affords the kids lots of hiking forested trails and swimming in the lake.  And in the wintertime, they ski every chance they get.  School is a priority.  The children have both been homeschooled; in part, because of the travel schedule.  Bonnie just finished her freshman year at California Baptist University, and sang in the University Women's Choir.  Because of her commitments to that choir, she did not travel with the family during the school year.  She is home from college for the summer and will be singing with the family again.  Ben is finishing the 10th grade, and loves spending his spare time developing ideas for his own professional studio someday.  He just completed recording, pre-mixing and editing their 5th album with the knowledge he's already acquired. A full-length DVD which he filmed, edited, mastered and produced for professional use is also credited to his accomplishments. He is also working to perfect his bass, trumpet, and drum playing. On a rare weekend at home, the family attends a community church in their hometown of Twin Peaks.

Even though it wasn't the plan of the family to start singing, it's been an amazing journey for them to see how God will use people when they are willing to be molded for His purposes.  How grateful the Johnsons are that God has chosen them to sing for His glory!

Note: the significance of this short bio is completely meaningless, unless it's understood that the message of Jesus Christ is the only reason for the family to sing.

The Johnson's motto is:  "God gets all the Glory, and we get to have all the fun!

(to download this Bio in .pdf format: click here)
Revised June 2010