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Madeline Johnson Biography

madeline-johnson
  • Born:
  • Years Active: 1990s-2000s
  • Genre: Rock & Alternative

Singer/songwriter Madeline Johnson is well known in the music scene around the Puget Sound area in Washington. She is simply called Madeline by fans and started her career more as a songwriter than a performing artist. She is also a talented musician, capable of playing the guitar, percussion, and keyboards. That being the case, she has lent her skills in one form or another to the efforts of many other artists. Madeline was born in Tacoma, WA. Her first tentative steps into the world of music started with the bass clarinet when she was only 11 years old. Her family moved often and so she studied music from a number of different teachers over the years, switching instruments when she mastered one. By the time she was in her mid-teens, others were taking notice of the girl's significant musical abilities. At 14 she won a place in a young musicians' ensemble in London. In high school, back in Washington, Madeline became a member of the All State Band. She went on to earn a number of awards for her musical talents and to perform in everything from choirs to marching bands. She also found a wide assortment of day jobs to help pay the bills during those early years, working as everything from a cashier to an airplane mechanic. In January of 1999, Madeline did her first solo gig as a singer at a bar in Spanaway, WA. Almost one year to the day from that first nerve-trying performance, her debut album, Rain Baby, was released. "Under a Weeping Willow," "When You're Lookin for Love," and "Touch and Feel" are a few of the folk-rock tunes from the album. In 2001, she finished up work on a sophomore release, one that tapped much more into her rock and alternative side. Madeline selects a lot of top local artists to perform with her, including veteran pianist David "Red" Rhys-Johnson, harmonica player and guitarist Rick "Cricket" Gerth, and vocalist Mary Blackburn. Madeline and Blackburn also collaborate on a project they have named MadMary. ~ Charlotte Dillon, Rovi

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