Paige King Johnson Interview
By Big Al Weekley for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
In a quiet North Carolina town 22 miles south of Raleigh, as a young 9-year-old girl, Paige King Johnson spent her summers under the crepe myrtles imitating the styles of Loretta, Patsy, Waylon, and Merle. Having a grandpa as her biggest fan also meant receiving the gift of her first guitar – a baby Taylor – and enrolling in lessons. After her grandpa passed, the bright-eyed dreamer carried on his memory by taking her newfound discovery to local fairs, festivals, and any other stage she was allowed to stand on. As she grew older, Johnson added “opening act” to her resume, supporting chart topping artists like Kane Brown, Joe Nichols, Gabby Barrett, Jimmie Allen, Scotty McCreery, Neal McCoy and James Otto. And with high school graduation came the realization that this was more than a hobby. The Angier native traded in horse pastures and back roads for the bright lights of Music City in 2015. Upon starting school at Belmont University for Music Business, Johnson honed in on the magic that had heavily influenced her as a child: the art of storytelling thru songwriting.
The famous Bluebird Café was just one of many writers’ circuits around Nashville that provided a safe space for Johnson to meet other writers, try out new tunes, and get feedback. In return, Johnson began captivating audiences with her down-home stage presence, cut straight to the bone stories and raw country voice, reminiscent of the classic country era. In the last seven years, Johnson has traveled back and forth between Nashville and the Carolinas, playing shows like the North Carolina State Fair and running her festival series, The Country Yard Party, all while continuing her dinner theatre, Country on the Outskirts of Town, that she founded in high school. Johnson has a passion for bringing live music to her hometown area and giving young songwriters and artists a place to share their talents. A three-time Carolina Country Music Awards Winner for Female Vocalist of the Year, Country Emerging New Artist, and Tour of the Year, Johnson’s devoted homegrown fan base continues to expand farther than just her backyard.
By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more
On Thursday, February 3, 2022 at the annual Southern Farm Show Ag Development Forum, North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Troxler and Got to Be NC Agriculture, North Carolina’s official business development and marketing program in the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, announced a new partnership with Paige. With her Harnett County roots, Paige will be the voice of the Got to Be NC agriculture marketing program while promoting her single “Homes in the Hometowns”.
After spreading her wings with her debut single “Water Down The Whiskey”, climbing to the #29 spot on Music Row charts, Angier, NC native Paige King Johnson moved on to her next projects with the release of her singles “Just Like You”, “She Holds This House Together”, “Baby Don’t” & more that completed her debut album, Honky Tonk Heart. Working alongside country-legend Pam Tillis, Johnson created multiple music videos which premiered on Country Music Television (CMT), RFD-TV, Heartland TV & Newsmax.