CDJ & Johnny Reid

Nathan MacKinnon - DurhamRegion.com

Canadian country artist Johnny Reid takes the stage at the General Motors Centre May 10. And he won’t be the only Canuck under the bright lights, with opening act Carolyn Dawn Johnson joining him on stage for a duet.

The Alberta-born Johnson describes Reid as a longtime friend. The pair recorded a duet, Baby I Know it, for Reid’s newest album, which they perform each night. She describes Reid’s energy on stage as infectious and says performing with him leaves a smile on her face. Those nights are often packed back-to-back with 29 shows in six weeks in what Johnson calls a potent tour.

“We’re both excited to play in Oshawa. There’s a great country (radio) station there, so there should be a lot of awesome fans and listeners,” she says.

All 29 of those dates are as Canadian as the acts and Johnson says it’s sweet to have Canadian fans be so receptive to her music.

“Johnny and I are both Canadian so it’s awesome to see fans supporting a Canadian act. It feels pretty heartwarming, like a ‘welcome home’ sort of feeling,” she adds.

Johnson isn’t new to the country scene: she’s been performing professionally and recording albums for the last 17 years. Even with those years under her belt, Johnson is still impressed and inspired by fans in the audience.

“I always hope that my songs are going to touch someone, whether it makes them jump up and down and laugh and sing out loud. Or if someone wants to cry or feels like they can be inspired by something I do that’s great,” she says.

Johnson joins Reid on stage, but not before she opens the show for him in what she describes as her favourite way.

“I open up acoustically, which is something I love to do because I’m a songwriter deep in the heart of me. So I get to play things the way they were originally written.”

She writes her own music but also writes for other artists as a staff writer for Seagayle Music.

“If I’m honoured enough to have someone record one of my songs I’m hoping that means they picked it because there’s something tangible in it for them. Something that helps define their artistry.”

Tickets are still available for the show at www.generalmotorscentre.com, at the General Motors Centre Box Office or by phone at 1-877-436-8811 .

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CDJ talks about her and performs new song “Reach You”.

Live 3/21

CDJ is getting ready to go out on tour across Canada with Johnny Reid. Hang out and warm up with Carolyn while you get a sample of some songs she will be performing & also get a chance to join in & chat with her after. Click here to get your tickets now! http://cwired.co/cdsi312

Tin Pan South

Another great year of Tin Pan South is just around the corner — don’t miss it!  Join Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Danielle Peck, Julie Roberts, and Jennifer Zuffinetti for A Little Chick On Pick Action at The Bluebird Cafe on March 30th. The show begins at 6:30 PM! Find out how to get tickets and more at tinpansouth.com

Bluebird Cafe

Just Announced and on Sale Now! In The Round with Carly Pearce, Bonnie Baker, Jenn Schott and Carolyn Dawn Johnson, no cover; Early shows at the Bluebird usually feature the best up and coming songwriters. They may not have a lot of hits yet, but you will see a great show. Reserve your seats now for Thursday, February 9th at 6 PM.  more!

with Martina McBride

“Some of my favorite memories in my musical journey are from when I toured with Martina Mcbride,” wrote Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Carolyn who has previously toured with Martina, will head out with Martina and George Strait for 11 dates in January and February of 2012 for an 11 show run. “I know I’m not the front person here, and it doesn’t bother me at all….I love Martina, and I love to make music, so it’s a win win combination!” Carolyn will play guitar and sing back ground vocals for Martina at the following shows:

1/27/12 Cajundome in Lafayette,LA

1/28/12 CenturyLink Center in Bossier City, LA

2/3/12 US Airways Center in Phoenix, AZ

2/4/12 MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV

2/10/12 Gwinnett Center in Atlanta, GA

2/11/12 Amway Center in Orlando, FL

2/16/12 BOK Center in Tulsa, OK!

2/17/12 Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO

2/18/12 INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, KS

2/24/12 Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA

2/25/12 Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO

On Tour

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Carolyn Dawn Johnson is hitting the road in 2012 and you don’t want to miss it! She will be joining Johnny Reid on his 28-date cross-Canada tour. As an ACMA, AMA, Juno and CCMA winner, Johnson will bring her current and past hits to the stage. With the success of her current album, ‘Love Rules’, Carolyn is thrilled to join Johnny on the road and give her fans a great show!

Two time Juno Award winner and multi-platinum singer-songwriter, Johnny Reid will release a brand new album titled ‘Fire It Up’ on March 13th, 2012. Produced by Reid, ‘Fire It Up’ was recorded at The Blue Room in Nashville, TN and Canterbury Studio in Toronto, ON and follows 2010’s Juno Award winning album, ‘A Place Called Love’ (certified 3x Platinum).

Tour dates include:
April 10 – Victoria, BC – Save On Foods Memorial Centre
April 12 – Kamloops, BC – Interior Savings Centre
April 13 – Kelowna, BC – Prospera Place
April 14 – Vancouver, BC – Pacific Coliseum
April 16 – Prince George, BC – CN Centre

Click here for a complete listing!

2011 Employee of the week

Carolyn Dawn Johnson premieres on CMT’ Canada’s “Employee of the Week” on Saturday January 28th, 2012 at 10:30 PM ET. Look for encore showings and other CDJ appearances throughout the year by going to http://www.cmt.ca/schedule/ 

by: Tyrone Warner - CTV

George Canyon

Celebrating the spirit of the holidays, CMT Canada has released their first ever holiday compilation.  Featuring some of the industries finest musicians, CMT’s “Gift of Giving”is much more than just a regular CD, it’s a CD with a message.

Distributed by Sony Music Canada and in association with CMT Canada’s parent company, Corus Entertainment, the “Gift of Giving” holiday compilation sets out to bring awareness about hunger in Canada.

“It’s heartbreaking that there are so many folks facing the issue of hunger in our country,” said Juno Award winning artist, George Canyon.  “I am so honoured to be a part of this initiative which helps families in need to put food on their table. After seeing the work they do first hand, I applaud the food banks for the important service they provide.”

Featuring holiday music by George Canyon, Chantal Kreviazuk, Johnny Reid, Rascal Flatts, Dean Brody, Gord Bamford, Darius Rucker, Chad Brownlee, Luke Bryan, Sugarland, Barenaked Ladies, Great Big Sea, Jimmy Rankin, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Kira Isabella, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the CD will go towards Canadian food banks through Corus Entertainment’s community giving initiative Corus Feeds Kids.

In addition, CMT Canada will also air a “Gift of Giving” television special exploring the issue of hunger in Canada. Hosted by George Canyon, the special will feature performances and interviews by some of the artists appearing on the “Gift of Giving” compilation.

“We are thrilled to partner with George Canyon and honoured that so many musical artists, across diverse genres, are as dedicated as we are to raising awareness about hunger in Canada,” said Ted Ellis, Vice President, Kids and Family Programming. “Our hope is that the Gift of Giving special and compilation CD will inspire viewers to reflect on the issue and to give more generously this holiday season.”

The “Gift of Giving” holiday special will air on CMT Canada on Thursday, December 1st at 8pm ET/5PT.  For more information about the CD, television special or to purchase your own copy of CMT’s “Gift of Giving”, please visit http://www.cmt.ca/show/gift-of-giving/.

CMT CANADA  Airdates:

• Thursday, December 1 at 8pm ET/5PT and 12am ET/9PT
• Saturday, December 3 at 9am ET/6PT, 1pm ET/10PT and 10pm ET/7PT
• Sunday, December 4 at 7pm ET/4PT
• Tuesday, December 6 at 6pm ET/3PT and 11pm ET/8PT
• Friday, December 9 at 9pm ET/6PT
• Sunday, December 11 at 10pm ET/7PT
• Thursday, December 15 at 8pm ET/5PT and 12am ET/9PT
• Friday, December 16 at 1am ET/10PT
• Saturday, December 17 at 9am ET/6PT
• Sunday, December 18 at 10am ET/7PT
• Monday, December 19 at 4pm ET/1PT
• Thursday, December 22 at 11pm ET/8 PT
• Friday, December 23 at 7pm ET/4 PT
• Saturday, December 24 at 8pm ET/5PT
• Sunday, December 25 at 7pm ET/4PT

OWN Airdates:

• Sunday, December 18 at 2pm ET/11PT
• Tuesday, December 20 at 9pm ET/6PT

W Network Airdates:

• Saturday, December 10 at 1pm ET/10PT