It's official! We are opening a theater in BRANSON, Missouri! Excitement is at an all-time high as we prepare to start off this season with a bang! After years of touring on the road and traveling to perform for our wonderful fans in person, it's time for a new adventure. Right now we are putting the final touches on our incredible theater remodel project, and rehearsing for our dynamic debut show in Branson!
Our SHOW opens Thursday, JUNE 8th at 7:30 pm at the Majestic! Tickets become available for purchase on May 12 at 1:00 pm!
More info at our website: www.TheJohnsonStrings.com
WorldFest Houston Film Festival
BREAKING NEWS! Our music videos Carol of the Bells and Life is Hard each won the prestigious REMI GOLD award in their category at Worldfest Houston film festival!
You may have noticed that it's been a little quiet on social media these last couple of months. BIG and EXCITING plans are in the works, so stay tuned for a MAJOR announcement tomorrow!
Guatemala Report!
The iconic landmark of Antigua!
Our Guatemalan concert tour last month was unforgettable in so many ways! Pictures can’t communicate the love, friendship, hospitality and sacrifice that was extended to us by these dear people – now friends. Our team leader, missionary TJ Hanken with Resourcing NOW, was a phenomenal partner to work with. We were so grateful for his knowledge of the country, language, and customs, not to mention his incredible driving and navigation skills as we bumped all over the country, from mountain switchbacks to inner city backroads. We did 20 performances in 11 days, and though almost half of us came down with a really nasty sickness from bacteria, we didn’t miss a single concert! We praise God for His protection, provision, answered prayers, and undeserved blessings that were evident on every side!
Relive the journey with us through these snapshots captured along the way
The view from our last host home in Guatemala City. So many wonderful people that love the Lord in every corner of the country!
Look before you enter this two way street or you might end up making an unexpected new aquaintance up close!
Silas and a new friend after our concert at this boy's school.
Special thanks to Pastor Manuel (pictured here with the team and his daughter Bella)! It was a joy to get to know you.
We so appreciated our translator, Stanley Romero. From introducing us to candied whole figs and teaching us a little Spanish, to translating our concerts, we had a great time together!
Backing into a church courtyard to unload. Our team leader, TJ Hanken, was a master of maneurvering into tight spaces.
The Guatemalan churches were delighted to share their music with us in return! Here Laura was invited up to try her hand with the marimba ensemble!
Setting up for a concert (at Pastor Manuel’s church) for kids sponsored through the Compassion International program. This concert was near and dear to us, as we have sponsored kids through Compassion for years. It was really neat to hear firsthand of the impact made for Christ through this ministry.
The church choirs were such a blessing as they sung from the heart in praise to the Lord.
Dad introduces a fellow acoustic bassist to his electric bass!
Things they don’t teach you in driver’s ed: what to do when a petroleum truck starts rolling back towards you.
Fresh goat milk - milked on the spot while you wait!
A popular mode of transportation. Cyclists would zip in and around traffic trying to "thread the needle" through the traffic jams.
The kids were so precious!
Abigail giving a masterclass at a music conservatory.
Messing around having a blast! We didn't speak Spanish, but we still found ways to communicate and laugh together!
Cobblestone streets. Just be sure to skip the high heels!
Street view
"Brake break"...pulled over to check navigation and give our hot 'n' soft brakes a chance to cool off from all the mountain driving.
Reality in the jungle – praying our gas doesn’t run out as we travel to yet another concert.
Assisting TJ with setting up his thousands of books for distribution at the Intermissions Conference! Check out Resourcing NOW on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResourcingNow
Visiting with the dear ladies that prepared one of our meals. The Guatemalans were so generous and treated us like royalty.
Delicious Rosa de Jamaica tea!
His church was surrounded by fields of coffee beans that are harvested by hand.
When the laundromat choices are a self-service “sink-o-mat” at the hotel or the local “rock-n-river" options...
Nothing like waking up to an incredible view!
So many smiles even though the power failed periodically during this concert!
Sharing God's truth.
Stunning beauty on one hand...
Bridge out! Looks like a detour is in order. Thankfully we did find our concert venue - a soccer field with five churches waiting for us!
A country church we performed in.
The hotel parrot thought TJ was tasty, but maybe a mite too tough...
We were able to snatch a few moments this morning, down on the docks of Panajachel, to film a few shots for a music video!
Morning jungle hike at the Quetzal Bird Sanctuary.
Homemade tortillas!
We were grateful for everyone who kept us fed. Out in the jungle where we often performed, there aren't fast food options available.
This pastor had puppies!
This church will always be memorable to me, holding the record (for now) of the most howling (from canine voices) that has ever serenaded us!
A cool treat between concerts on a warm day in Central America.
New friends
The ruins of a cathedral that was destroyed by earthquake.
but great need everywhere.
We were so touched by the testimony of the gentleman in the green. He found a baby that had been left in a field to die, and he and his wife have adopted and are raising that child as their own.
Backyard farming!
A man in traditional Mayan dress.
Dogs were everywhere! This one is napping outside our hotel.
Hanging out at the Guatemalan airport as we wait for our flight home. Boy, were we ever glad we got there early, as the line soon stretched all the way to the double doors!
Adios, Guatemala, till next time!
Preparing for Takeoff This Month!
In just a few days we will walk through this airport as a family - bound for Guatemala! (The picture is from this summer when Karen flew out to VA for a string intensive program.) We ask for your prayers for this trip. We're excited to see what the Lord has in store!
Accepted to Film Festival!
We're pleased to announce that our music video, Life is Hard, has been accepted to the Christian Worldview Film Festival in San Antonio, TX! We've performed at this festival twice, and always appreciate enjoying a weekend of Christian movies and bumping shoulders with friends in the film making industry!
Currently this video is exclusively available on our DVD "House of the Johnson Strings".
Festivities!
Special thanks to all the guests we met across many different states at our Christmas concerts this season. You made this Christmas a truly memorable culmination to our year of music! Here's a few highlights in pictures.
A lovely Advent Christmas Tea. Special thanks to Brittany Hosford for the pictures of this event!
We never tire of the thrill of making music live!
Christmas reds and snowy whites
"Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Savior's birth."
Come sleet, ice, or snow, the show must go on!
One church in South Dakota put on a sweet live nativity to entertain the guests before our concert. The camels really got into charachter!
Upon completion of our Christmas concerts, we had the wonderful joy of visiting family in several states, including touring Garden of the Gods! One morning my uncle, along with a few other early birds, traveled to an outlook to beat the sunrise so Laura could capture this photograph!
Seth "rising" to the challenge. (He made it all the way to the top of the balanced rock.)
How many cousins can you fit in the hollow?
The gloves came off for the cousin's crossbow competition!
It takes a lot of BBQ Meatballs to keep the crew fed...
Heading for a girl cousins round of frisbee golf - the trees escaped remarkably unscathed this year!
Karen and Silas enjoying "Chimes" - a musical based on a Charles Dickens play performed by our local Christian theater.
And that's all for now folks, stay tuned for an update on our coming music mission trip to Guatemala!
TV Special!
There's still time to catch our Christmas TV special! Tune in to UplifTV on DIRECTV Channel 379! Our show will be playing on Saturday, December 24 at 3:30 am and 11:30 am, and Sunday December 25 at 9:00 am (Central Time)! We'll see you there!
www.upliftv.com/schedule
Carol of the Bells!
New Christmas Music Video - Carol of the Bells!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWbESrimURY
Christmas Concert Tonight!
Kick off the holiday festivities with an evening of music! During this special Johnson Strings Christmas concert, a free-will offering will be taken to help support their upcoming music missions trip to Guatemala!
Concert will begin at 7:00 pm on Saturday, December 3, at First Congregational Church, 401 3rd St, Parkersburg, IA 50665.
Blooper Reel Teaser Trailer!
"Lights, camera, CUT!" Laugh with us at our outtakes in this teaser trailer from the 6 minute blooper special feature - found only on our DVD!
Purchase the DVD here for more fun - www.thejohnsonstrings.com/cd-catalog/house-of-the-johnson-strings-dvd-2016
New DVD for sale!
Now available for purchase online! Our DVD, longtime in the works, is finally here with exclusive music videos, entertaining behind the scenes stories of how we shoot our own videos, fun bloopers and more! Watch the trailer below, and get your own copy in our online store!
www.thejohnsonstrings.com/cd-catalog/house-of-the-johnson-strings-dvd-2016
In The Books!
DONE! Our last concert before our Christmas concerts begin is history! Thanks South Dakota for such a warm enthusiastic welcome!
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Treble in Texas!
Opening Night Kick-off Concert! Premiering "Exceedingly" - written by Rodney Griffin of Greater Vision, arranged for banjo, piano, bass, cello, triple fiddles and vocal trio by Abigail!
Trick fiddling on Orange Blossom Special
Love our backdrop! How fitting for an election year.
Piano Quartet - 40 fingers on 80 keys! While rehearsing this audience favorite, one of the piano benches they were using collapsed without warning! Thankfully we were able to borrow a wooden bench for the concert.
A dramatic presentation of the Family Camp theme - "Now is the time. Let your light so shine!"
Special tribute to the outgoing president.
Col. and Mrs. T - you will be missed!
The resident rodeo clown.
Stick Horse Rodeo buckaroos! The HUNDREDS of kids that participated in the rodeo rode their ponies hard delivering Pony Express Mail, barrel racing, and more.
A young Indian makes his way to the rendezvous.
Rachel Kane, the gorgeous 2016 Rodeo Queen! She was paraded around the arena to the strains of Yellow Rose of Texas, courtesy of the musical entertainment - us!
The ongoing comedic play between rodeo events.
Kidnapped!
Ropin' the bad guys!
High drama!
Dr. Lew Sterrett from Sermon on the "Mount" with Handsome the horse!
Gotta love Luke's expression...."are you sure about this tempo"? We performed as part of Community Night with Dr. Lew Sterrett. Giving a concert outdoors is always challenging due to the unpredictable weather, but this one was doubly so! First a rain shower rolled in during set-up, necessitating a hurried re-packing of the sound system and instruments in the van, then the humidity descended upon us so heavily, there were drops of water sitting upon our instruments and equipment. Afterward we arrived back at our accommodations, we set the electronic equipment and instruments out to dry overnight!
Photo booth "Wait for it..."
"Ta da!"
Silas in the bow of his and Laura's canoe - capturing second place for their canoe race!
Assisting with the compilation of the Biblical books of John and Romans in the Tamil language for distribution overseas!
Each booklet is read by approximately 20 people!
Can you spot the Karen? Post your answer in the comments! She's watching from the sidelines during a fascinating protection dog demonstration by Dunetos K-9!
Dunetos K-9 provides service, protection, and tactical dogs. They demonstrated many different skills including search and rescue, dog/handler training techniques, and protection/attack scenarios (pictured).
Speaker Darren Myers from Freedom Focus
Special thanks to Maj. and Mrs. H for their coodination of the week!
Special thanks to the a/v crew for your work throughout the week.
TV star and speaker Rick Green from Chasing America's Legends
Well that's it for Texas, folks! Hope to see you in person at one of our concerts this year. Special announcement coming tomorrow!
Summer at Wintergreen
Throwback to Karen's chamber music intensive this summer in VA! Pictured with the incredible nationally acclaimed violinist Frank Almond.
Texas Snapshot
Texas memories from our tour down south this month! Silas just catching a few rays of warm morning sunshine. Hang tight for more pics to be posted soon plus a special announcement!
