Steve Johnston

Meet Steve Johnston from Nashville, Tennessee.

I thought I would share how I came to know America. If nothing else, it's a good exercise in memory.

America in a real way has been a real part of who I am. No, really. Being a fan doesn't necessarily mean being obsessive, but understanding how two (or three) people who you've never met can be an influence upon the choices I have made in life.

When I was in high school in the mid seventies, going to a dance was just an excuse to wait for an America ballad so that you could ask a cute girl to slow dance. Daisy Jane was the best -- it had just the right time signature and well written words to draw in any unsuspecting young woman.

I was in a band called Voyager, covering most of the America songs poorly. Our favorite was Three Roses. We often speculated on the meaning of the words and how Dan ever discovered the trick to putting them together (Editor's note: It was actually Dewey who wrote Three Roses). We played from our senior year in High School until I was 21. We recorded the San Diego Federal Bank theme song which is still used today -- a total rip off of the song Head & Heart (though we never told anyone).

From the time I was seventeen until I was 27, I was a radio broadcaster. My first job was working as a program director for the San Diego State University radio station. The station sucked and so did I, but my big "break" came in 1981 when I was invited to interview America after a San Diego Soccer game. During the game, I went backstage (under San Diego Stadium -- now Jack Murphy Stadium) and met Gerry and Dewey, along with Michael Woods. What I discovered was not the usual crappy-mouthed-nothing-to-say stupid rockers of the early eighties. Instead I found two hard working professionals (three with Woodsy), who took their task seriously and were not too proud to give an interview to a totally nervous 21 year old who didn't know what the heck he was doing. They spoke of Alibi, the reasons for "their side, our side", life after Dan and his excessive life-style, their new relationship with Capitol, and other stuff. What I remember most was when Gerry said that he felt that music was his life, his way to express how he loves and how he makes mistakes. "I work out my struggles and victories in the words of my music." That made an impression on me.

Editor's note: I asked Steve about the "their side, our side" labeling on Alibi and he sent me the following explanation.. Gerry told me in that interview that they couldn't strike a deal with Capitol as to which side of the record should be the "A" side. After much consternation, they compromised and did something no other group had ever done -- they didn't have a side 1, or first side. That decision formulated the title of the project.

My wife and I were married in 1987. I toyed with the idea of hiring Gerry to perform. Fortunately, I have been blessed with financial resources. But, the reality is, he didn't know me (still doesn't) and how do you ask someone of his caliber to perform at your wedding? We dropped the idea. Instead, we had three professionals do a few America songs -- Head and Heart being the most memorable.

Today, I am a film producer and director. I have a two-year old son who dances to America at least once weekly. He jiggles to the tunes which are lined up neatly in a special place near my stereo. And, of course, I have at least one copy of each of their works.

I was in an elevator alone last week in Nashville and "Tin Man" was playing softly over the loud speaker, some soulless orchestra cover. However, I was singing at the top of my lungs. My own tribute to two professionals who have helped mold my life.

Thanks for the opportunity to just reflect.

Feel free to send your comments or questions to Steve.