The doctor looked him straight in the eye and explained the medical odds, said that he wouldn’t make it another three years. But Ray Johnston’s odds…I think you can beat this! And four times he has beat the leukemia that was trying to overtake his body.
“I learned early on you can get pissed, defeated or down but, I choose the alternative and was determined to fit as much in without doing too much to bring remission into fruition”, Ray would explain to me as we sat on his tour bus.
Who is this man that seems to have super human strength or is it simply a strong faith, determination and stellar work ethic that has set this multi-talented individual on the ride of his life.
Ray Johnston, now in his early 30’s was a one -time point guard for the NBA franchise The Dallas Mavericks. Now he is the founder and lead for the Ray Johnston band or RJB to the multitude of fans that seem to be growing exponentially.
Growing up in Montgomery, Ray’s early inspiration would come from groups such as the Allman Brothers, Leonard Skinner, Led Zeppelin, Edwin McCain, Hootie and the Blowfish on his tape deck in 93. But there was also the infusion of hip hop which wouldn’t miss Montgomery. There was Kriss Kross and BBD with songs like Poison as these influences are now evident in the stage show when the band breaks out into a rendition of Nelly’s “Must be the Money” that sends the crowd into a tizzy to see a white guy not just rapping but rapping well.
Reminiscent of the early days of the Dave Matthew’s Band, the RJB has taken the grass roots gorilla marketing tactics to another level and have begun to watch their first album “Sweet Tooth” jump to the top 10 for U.S. sales in the unsigned artist category.
The band which consists of Cooper Appelt (bass), Bobby Sparks (organ, keyboard), Ray Johnston (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Keith Anderson (sax), Jeff Randall (drums), and William Barnes (lead guitar) is an ensemble cast of talented musicians that cross genres.
The band recorded their first album at Palmyra Studios in Palmer, TX in August of 2009.
“We went to the studio and cranked out the album unbelievably fast” explained Cooper.
“We cranked out our album in about 3 weeks after 5 rehearsal dates in August. We played 5 days in the studio, mix it from Monday to Thursday, mastered on Friday and it was on itunes September 1, 2009. The key was that they were all prepared, songs were done and band was on one accord, but they probably also received great vibes using the same board the Beatles used to record.
The band is made up of formidable, Grammy-winning, musical talent. Keith Anderson (saxophone) has recorded with Kayne West and tours and plays with Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Marcus Miller, and Kirk Franklin. Bobby Sparks (keyboard, B3 organ) plays with Kirk Franklin, Tower of Power, Eryka Badu, and others.
All band members have their certain craft that they have been formally trained in and have studied music theory. While Ray has never had formal training which after hearing with an ear that synthesizes sounds to strums of the cords that are delivered with point guard type precession.
Ray runs the band like a business, being good with numbers now playing numbers for crowds from small college towns to massive crowds at the House of Blues in Dallas.
He has been able to use his sports training to constantly create opportunities such as the one with the Dallas mavericks that started from being a member of North Dallas Athletic Club where several ex-Dallas Cowboy players such as Michael Irving Deon Sanders, Jake Newton and Thomas Everett would join Ray in pick up games referring to Ray as “White Chocolate”, because of his smooth skills on the hardwood.
This opportunity would lead to a spot on the Dallas Mavericks Summer League which most often meant a spot on the team, which ray would get only three months prior to being diagnosed with Leukemia. Although his NBA career was cut short another was beginning to blossom and he would find strength in his music.
Ray was always the avid athlete that seemed to excel and characteristic Ray explains seeing something with potential and pushing it hopping that is gains value. This rang true in his belief that he could go all the way to the NBA, which he did and now this theory is playing out in his music career as well.
It’s not going to be a tear event but rather a cheer event to show how I used this struggle and battle with disease to impact in a positive way to say wow that young man is able to preservers despite of adversity…
Some of the band’s performances will be fundraisers for The Ryan Gibson Foundation or TRGF. TRGF ( HYPERLINK “http://www.trgf.org” www.trgf.org) is a Dallas based non-profit organization that supports leukemia research throughout the U.S. Ryan Gibson, like Ray Johnston, had a passion for finding a cure for leukemia. Now, through his talent and that of his band, Ray will be spreading the word about the importance of leukemia research as well as raising funds for TRGF.
Ray’s battle with cancer and his music create an encouraging story that gives those experiencing the same obstacle strength to move forward. Consequently, CNN recently recognized him in “CNN Heroes”. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2009/10/16/cnnheroes.cuban.extra.cnn
Ray lives his life by the first scripture he memorized after coming out of the coma. proverb 17:22 which states A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. The application of this is evident the moment you sit down with this amazing talent who is leading a new movement of Good feel good music birthed from purpose and determination.
“I’m a man that loves the lord life and loves music”, Ray stated as we were preparing to wrap the interview after an amazing set at Peachtree Tavern in Atlanta. I asked if he had found his true passion and his response was I think I found it twice. ray is confident in leading and knowing with talent around him anything was possible.
If your looking for the Ray Johnston Band? Just look for the big tour bus with Ray Johnston on the side but don’t stand in their way as the journey continues make positive feel good music that uplifts the spirit.
WHAT: The Ray Johnston Band will be performing, as the leader Ray continues his cross-country tour and plays at Andrews Upstairs. Come out and enjoy the smooth sounds of the band while they film their HDNet documentary!
WHEN: Saturday- December 5, 2009 9 pm
WHERE: Andrews Upstairs http://www.andrewsupstairs.com/main.php?page=home
56 East Andrews Drive ∙ Atlanta, GA ∙ 30305
Visit http://www.rayjohnstonband.com/ to hear his inspiring music and find out more information. Also, contact Donnetta Campbell: 203-434-3548 for addition information.
