Sleepy Johnson

b. Clifton G. Johnson, 25 Feb 1909, Oklahoma, USA, d. 24 Apr 1976, Turkey, near Memphis, Tx, USA. Elevated in rural Oklahoma and Tx, Johnson started playing do-it-yourself musical equipment from an extremely early age and finally became proficient on banjo, electric guitar and fiddle, furthermore to which he also sang in a nice baritone. In his early teenagers he played acoustic guitar semi-professionally and continuing working by day time and playing by night time through the 20s. Early in 1930 he became a member of Bob Wills, who got formed a fresh music group in November the prior yr with guitarist Herman Arnspiger. Also in the group, known at that time as the Aladdin Laddies, had been singer Milton Dark brown and guitarist Derwood Dark brown. Playing tenor banjo, Johnson helped create a fresh audio that was to become foundation of traditional western swing. Towards the finish of 1930, the music group, which have been broadcasting on WBAP–Fort Worthy of beneath the sponsorship from the Aladdin Light Company, could possibly be noticed on KFJZ and WBAP. There, these were sponsored by Burrus Mill marketing Light Crust Flour. The music group now became referred to as the Fort Worthy of Doughboys. After workers changes by the end of 1932 the music group was poised to produce a huge impact among the most well-known country rings in the southwest as well as the archetype of traditional western swing. During this time period, Johnson fulfilled Elnora Beard who became his initial wife if they had been married throughout a March 1934 radio present. When Wills shifted to create his Tx Playboys, Johnson remained behind for some time but then implemented his head to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and once again became a trusted and very well-known sideman. Johnson place standards for various other instrumentalists, specifically fiddlers, and he was reputed and popular by his peers. In 1976, Johnson was playing at a Bob Wills Memorial Fiddle Competition in Turkey, Tx, when he passed away on-stage. Furthermore to showing up on a number of the many recordings created by Wills and his several bands, Johnson may also be noticed on many compilations.