Paper & Fire

Collection Contents

#		Title	Length
1		Paper & Fire	4:04	Play
2		Not Ready	3:29	Play
3		I Know	4:56	Play
4		Remember When	3:13	Play
5		Late at Night	4:19	Play
6		So Go On	4:14	Play
7		Reflection	4:00	Play
8		Home	3:29	Play
9		Under Wing	5:09	Play
10		Darker Side	3:25	Play
11		Why	4:05	Play

Items may be purchased individually.

Contributors

Details

Royalties

See the payment distribution when this media is bought.

Description	Amount
Bitmunk Marketplace Service	USD $0.98
CD Baby Artist Royalty	USD $5.97
CD Baby 9% Digital Distribution Cost	USD $0.54
Bitmunk Download Service	USD $0.58
Bitmunk MicroPayment Service	USD $0.01
Total	USD $8.05

Bitmunk uses a micropayment system that is accurate to 7 monetary digits.
Mouse over an individual amount to see its exact value.

Description

Will Johnson is best described as a chameleon of music. Whether it be leads, rhythm, acoustic, electric or even classical guitar, Will blends his skills to any style. With intelligent lyrics and catchy pop-anthems, he is as much a wordsmith and vocalist as he is guitar virtuoso.

THE EARLY YEARS: Will Johnson began his career as a musician at age 13, when he witnessed an electric guitar version of the Star Spangled Banner performed on television. This event inspired him to pluck out the melody (on one string, no less) on his mother's nylon-string acoustic. As his hunger for playing grew, a friend of the family brought over a Fender Strat and Marshall amp and let the impressionable youngster experiment. A year later he had his own guitar and amp, and had taken 2nd place in a talent show playing the intricate "Stairway to Heaven" in its entirety. Other highlights of the early years include:

-Nicknamed "guitar guru" by school newspaper
-One day a week, he and friend Josh Schramm took college-level classical guitar courses at UAA.
-He and Josh formed a garage band called "Azure"
-Sophomore year talent show "Every Rose Has it's Thorn" 3rd place
-Junior year talent show "Tears In Heaven" 2nd place
-Senior year "Battle of the Bands" -- a stunning rendition of the rock epic "November Rain", complete with an 8 piece orchestra, full band, and choir trio.
-Had to have a 300 signature petition in order to be allowed to play the Star Spangled Banner in front of the school (he got the required number)
-After the administration decided the petition wasn't enough, Will had to privately perform his rendition for the faculty AND be subjected to a vote (he won 38 - 3)
-At long last, was finally allowed to perform his electric guitar version of the Star Spangled Banner in front of his whole school at an assembly
-Will's band performed at their own graduation ceremony at Sullivan Arena in 1995.

AFTER GRADUATION: Will had been writing songs on the side, and by this time had decided to attempt a recording. With a slightly new lineup the band was called "No Preservatives Added" and they quickly sought a studio. Unfortunately, finances were limited, as was experience in the business. As expenses mounted and progress was difficult, the band quickly grew impatient. By the time the final product came out, the band played only a handful of gigs before disbanding, leaving Will doubting himself.

RECENT TIMES: In 2002, Will heard that one of his musical idols, Ellis Paul, was going to be an instructor at the Alaska Midnight Sun Song Camp. At this yearly gathering, songwriters spend 4 sunny summer days camping out and doing musical workshops and jams. Will jumped at this opportunity to meet and learn from one of his favorite artists, but he was also in for a surprise. Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, as well as Vance Gilbert were also invited as instructors, and although Will had never heard of them it didn't take long for them to be counted amongst his favorites as well. Sadly, just weeks after the song camp, Dave Carter passed away. All of the song campers were crushed, especially Lili McGovern.

Will and Lili teamed up to put together a Dave Carter Tribute Concert. That August, with the volunteer efforts of more than 15 Alaskan singer-songwriters and musicians, Will and Lili hosted the Dave Carter Tribute Concert, with all proceeds donated to Tracy Grammer, Dave's life partner. Will and Lili proceeded to perform as a folk-rock duo through 2003, when Will decided it was time to get back in the recording studio.

Will met Sean Mormelo, a talented singer-songwriter and producer, at an open mic night in Anchorage. Sean offered his services and the two immediately got to work. After months of diligent work, Will completed his first solo CD entitled "Paper & Fire" in June of 2004. Now Will is in the process of putting together a website, a publicity campaign, and a tour schedule to support "Paper & Fire".

FUN FACTS ABOUT WILL:

-Is an extremely skilled Poker player
-Favorite movie is "Donnie Darko"
-Is a fiend for energy drinks such as Rock Star or Red Bull
-Fanatical follower of the NFL season
-Curiously enjoys statistics, lists, and organization