KC Johns: A Force of Nature Empowering Women and Taking Her “Smoke Show” Across the Globe
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
From the fertile musical ground of the Mississippi Delta, where blues and country intertwine, emerges KC Johns, a dynamic artist carving her own path with a powerful voice and an even more potent message. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in the close-knit community of Hernando, Mississippi, music has been the unwavering soundtrack to Johns’ life. Her very name, a vibrant echo of KC and the Sunshine Band, foreshadows the infectious energy that defines her stage presence and songwriting. Growing up on a rich tapestry of sounds, from the raw power of Led Zeppelin to the soulful storytelling of Stevie Nicks and the authentic grit of Sheryl Crow, Johns absorbed a diverse range of influences that now coalesce into her unique musical identity.
Johns’ upbringing was far from conventional. She fondly recalls, “My mom is a championship barrel racer, and my stepdad was a bull rider,” painting a vivid picture of a childhood spent amidst the thrilling atmosphere of rodeos. While the adrenaline and excitement of the rodeo were captivating, a deeper passion for creating music began to take root within her.
At the age of seventeen, fueled by an unwavering dream, Johns, armed with her acoustic guitar, made the pilgrimage to Nashville with her mother. “I just took my guitar and started hitting all the clubs on Broadway, asking people if I could sing on stage,” she recounts, a testament to her early initiative and fierce determination to break into the music scene.
This bold move led to an unexpected but invaluable opportunity: a seven-year stint as a performer on Carnival Cruise Lines. What was initially planned as a brief six-month contract transformed into a global adventure, allowing Johns to hone her performance skills and connect with diverse audiences from around the world. This experience forged her stage presence and broadened her understanding of music’s universal language.
Even while traversing the globe, the magnetic pull of Nashville remained strong. Upon her return, Johns’ talent was recognized with a feature role in Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” at Dollywood, a significant early validation of her artistic potential. However, the allure of recording her own music and hitting the touring circuit proved irresistible. “I moved to Nashville on a whim,” she explains. “I had nowhere to stay. I just packed up all my stuff and took a chance, sleeping on friends’ couches and singing on Broadway again. Before I knew it, I started meeting incredible and influential people.”
Through sheer talent and relentless dedication, Johns steadily climbed the Nashville ladder, earning opportunities to open for prominent artists such as Luke Bryan, Chris Young, Randy Houser, Trailer Choir, and Morgan Wade. Her dynamic live shows and authentic songwriting resonated with audiences, leading to performances at numerous fairs, festivals, and venues across the United States. Her impressive schedule has included an astounding 150 “non-Nashville Broadway” shows annually, alongside select appearances on the legendary Ole Red Main Stage. Her reach has spanned the nation, from Washington to Florida, with notable performances at Gordy’s HWY 30 Music Festival in Idaho and Texas, the massive Big As Texas Festival, the esteemed Steamboat Musicfest, Oklahoma’s Grand Jam Music Fest, the Ellensburg Rodeo in Washington, and the vibrant Fantasy Fest in Key West, Florida in 2025.
The unforeseen challenges of the 2020 pandemic sparked innovation and new avenues for connection. Johns, along with her fellow musicians, embraced social media, performing live online and cultivating a global fanbase. Initially sharing cover songs, they soon integrated their original material, forging deeper connections with listeners worldwide. “With that whole 2020 year, I just started doing TikTok Lives, Facebook Lives, and started meeting people on the internet,” she recalls. “And they were like, ‘Man, we’d love for you to come and do a private party.’ Then all of a sudden, we’re doing shows in Norway.”
As the world gradually reopened, Johns continued her musical journey, captivating audiences at diverse venues and festivals both at home and abroad. Tracks like “Whiskey Break” and “Confused” offered glimpses into her evolving sound and songwriting. In 2022, she marked a significant milestone with the release of her digital debut album, Thunder.
Expanding her creative endeavors beyond music, 2023 saw Johns launch her own whiskey line, KC Johns’ Thunder Mesquite Smoked Bourbon Whiskey, in collaboration with Cali Distillery in Glendale, CA. This venture has proven successful, with the brand now distributed nationwide and available for online purchase. The exceptional quality of Thunder has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the prestigious title of Best Bourbon at the Sunset Magazine Spirits Competition, triumphing over more than 260 entries.
Now, KC Johns’ influence extends beyond the United States, with dedicated fanbases and tours in the UK and Norway. Her latest single, “Smoke Show,” is a powerful anthem of female empowerment. In her own words, “‘Smoke Show’ is a song written for the girls! It should be okay for women to tell women they are beautiful, strong, intelligent, and straight-up SMOKE SHOWS! During live shows, from the stage, I will often point out when a girl has taken the time out of her hard workin’ day to curl her hair, mellowly fix her makeup, and search for the perfect outfit (to maybe impress someone) – that she is an absolute SMOKE SHOW! Women should tell women this more often – let’s build each other up EVERYDAY! #SMOKESHOW”
With a genuine desire to connect with people through her music, KC Johns continues to be a dynamic force in the contemporary music landscape. From her Mississippi roots to global stages, she embodies authenticity, resilience, and a powerful message of female solidarity.
UK TOUR DATES:
- April 23rd Sheffield (Venue TBD)
- April 24th Buckle and Boots (Stockport)
- April 25th Leestock (Suffolk)
- May 11th Foodies Festival (Cardiff)
- May 23rd Record Junkee (Sheffield)
- May 26th Foodies Festival (Syon Park)