|
Welcome to the website of Betty Johnson and her musical recordings of Swing, American popular standards and Jazz spanning several decades of performance. Read interviews and articles featuring Betty Johnson, and purchase CDs on our online order page. The online order page is on a secure server for worry-free shopping. Also, download Betty's music digitally on our Digital Download page by clicking here. We've also got a new gallery of pictures up, be sure to take a look.
NEWS & FEATURES
Watch the Mark Morgan IN FOCUS interview with Betty Johnson!
 |
BRAND NEW!
Three Shades of Gray - Betty Johnson/Elisabeth Gray/Lydia Gray
Betty Johnson: "The title of this cd was suggested by Jim Titus of Radio Station WJEJ in Hagerstown, Md.
"It was to be given to my husband, Arthur, on his 87th birthday, December 21st.
"As fate would have it, instead of presenting him the cd on his birthday, we gathered at the small church just minutes from our home to celebrate his life and passing. It was an inspiring and uplifting service with each of the children speaking, expressing their admiration and love for the remarkable man that was, and will always be, the love of my life..."
(Read more... or order
this CD online).
Click below to listen to Betty, Elisabeth and Lydia's dedications to Arthur Gray:
Betty Johnson
Elisabeth Gray
Lydia Gray
|
 |
Recently Released!
Ma & Betty Johnson - Beyond The Sunset
Mother (Ma) Remembered -- On Good Friday, April 13, 1979, my father, brothers and I sat on the same pew in the Presbyterian Church in Orangeburg, SC, for my mother’s funeral service. The Pastor had asked my older brother, the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Johnson, to give the meditation.
At a certain point in the service he stepped up from the pew to the pulpit for his remarks. We sat with deep appreciation as he spoke for us, articulating and delivering words that will forever be remembered by the family. “The older people present,” my brother said in the course of his meditation, “will remember our mother (affectionaly called “Ma”) as an alto singer. Here she had obvious talent.
“Mother’s love of, and gift for, the alto part, found its way into thousands of programs, broadcasts, telecasts, and recordings. So, when we hear her rich and resonant voice sing now, it takes on added meaning.”
(Read more... or order
this CD online). |
 |
Recently Released
Betty Johnson - In Her Own Words
Betty Johnson’s extraordinary voice lifted her from the arduous
cotton fields of North Carolina to the luxury of Park Avenue. From the
sweet sounds of the Johnson Family Singers, America’s first family
of gospel, to the elegant rhythms of her solo career in top venues around
the globe, music was the saving force in a difficult life filled with
personal hardships and devastating secrets. The Cinderella tale of this
hard-working, determined woman leaves you cheering as the triumphs of
her later life overshadow the pain of her early life. This is a story
of tremendous faith and even greater love, but above all, it is a story
of music, told by the author in her still beautiful voice, with actual
recordings spanning over seventy years of her career.
(Read more... or order
this CD online). |
 |
Recently Released
The Johnson Family Singers - Singing on the Mountain
Legendary producer, Steve Shoals enlists an illustrious
group of musicians to accompany "The Family" in these 1955 Nashville
recordings: Charles Grean, leader and bass; Chet Atkins, electric guitar;
John Gordy, piano and organ; Jack Shook, rhythm guitar; and Jerry Byrd,
steel guitar.
Features 12 classic songs you'll enjoy over and over again. (Read more... or order
this CD online).
|
 |
Recently Released
Lydia Gray - In My Eyes
Lydia Gray brings an intimate setting to the covers of pop tunes from
the 60's through the 90's with a crystal clear voice and warm instrumentation
using guitar, drums and cello. Although from a jazz heritage (her Mom
is Betty Johnson of Tonight Show fame) in this CD, Ms. Gray infuses this
jazz sensibility and modern sound in a Diana Krall/Norah Jones approach
- minial arrangements and mellow vocals.
(Read more... or order
this CD online). |
|
Recently Released
Betty Johnson - Take Me Along
Dedicated to the cast and crew of Take Me Along, Betty's Broadway debut. Take Me Along is a musical based on the Eugene O'Neil play Ah, Wilderness. These recordings from the 1950's have been digitally remastered from the original Bell Records Recordings maintained in Betty Johnson's private archives.
(Read more... or order this CD online). |
|
Recently Released
Betty Johnson - Make Yourself Comfortable
These popular standards of Big Band style music from the 1950's have been digitally remastered from the original Bell Records Recordings maintained in Betty Johnson's private archives. It seems that good things just never grow old, they just age gracefuly and mellow with the years.
(Read more... or order this CD online). |
|
Recently Released
Lydia Gray - Brazilian Breezes...Mostly Jobim
Betty's daughter Lydia Gray has musical wisdom in her blood - a heritage that comes shining
through in Bazilian Breezes. With respectful delight, Lydia Gray and Ed
Eastridge handle Antonio Carlos Jobim's masterful songs (and several others)
very carefully. Each recording is crafted, arranged, recorded, mastered, and
produced beautifully to make this a must-have CD for any music lover's
collection. By teaming up with Ed Eastridge, Lydia Gray creates musical
magic. It is as if they have worked together for 25 years! Just a
spectacular debut solo effort.
(Read more... or order this CD online). |
| More of Betty's Music |
 |
Chattanooga Swing
Betty Johnson and Elisabeth Gray
Betty's latest CD of classic Swing tunes, recorded in Spain with her daughter Elisabeth Gray and a big band. Coming soon, available at the end of January, 2002. |
 |
Greatest Hits -- Vol. 2
Betty Johnson
The long awaited release of Betty's second compilation of greatest hits includes Dream, I'll Follow You, How Little We Know, Don't You Remember, and many, many more! |
 |
Greatest Hits -- Vol. 1
Betty Johnson
Original Recordings! All time favorites including: I Dreamed, Betty's Bosanova, Let Me Be The One, You Can't Get To Heaven, Only When I Dream, and the long awaited re-release of Little Blue Man. |
 |
Love Walked In
Betty Johnson
Popular favorites and show tunes recorded with Metropolitan Jazz Quartet. California Here I Come, I've Grown Accustomed to His Face, the title song, Love Walked In, and many, many more! |
 |
My Heart Sings
Betty Johnson
With many Jazz and Popular standards including: Old Devil Moon, I Remember You, My Heart Stood Still, Taking a Chance on Love, and many others! |
 |
Sunday Mornings in Dixie
The Johnson Family Singers
From the 30s and 40s. Includes: Sunday Morning In Dixie, A House Built On A Rock, He Put The Sunshine In My Soul, Lord, Build Me A Cabin In Glory, I'll Reap My Harvest In Heaven , Cabin In The Valley Of The Pines, I've Got A Feeling(deep down in my soul) , A Haven in Heaven and more! |
|
 |
In the Garden
Betty Johnson
Traditional Folk Hymns and Folk Songs. Includes: In the Garden, Precious Memories, Whispering Hope, Amazing Grace, Abide with Me, Whispering Hope, and many others. Recorded with daughters Lydia Gray and Elisabeth Gray. |
 |
The Take Five Sessions: Volume one
Betty Johnson
Taken from radio shows during the late 1950's. Includes I Only Have Eyes For You, It's Been a Long, Long Time, You Go to My Head, Take a Chance on Love and The Party's Over. |
 |
Soft Lights, Sweet Music
Betty Johnson and Lydia Gray
Includes: Sometimes I'm Happy, When I Look into Your Eyes, Blue Skies, Twisted, and more. Recorded LIVE at the Cafe Pierre in New York City with Lydia Gray. |
 |
Family Affair
Betty Johnson
Includes: Baubles, Bangles and Beads, Besame Mucho, The Very Thought of You, and many more! Recorded with daughters Elisabeth and Lydia Gray. |
 |
We Sang for our Supper
The Johnson Family Singers
From the 30s and 40s. Includes: I'm Gonna Take a Ride, Swing Wide Yon Golden Gate, Cabin in the Valley of the Pines, I've Got a Feeling, On Moonlight Bay, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, I'll Meet you in the Morning, Keep on the Sunny Side, and more! |
|
|
