Al "Carnival Time" Johnson

Infobox musical artist
Name = Al "Carnival Time" Johnson


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Alvin Lee Johnson
Alias =
Born = Birth date and age|1939|6|20|mf=y
Died =
Origin = New Orleans, Louisiana
Instrument = Vocals, Piano
Genre = Rhythm and Blues
Occupation = Singer
Years_active = 1954-
Label = Aladdin, Ric
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.alcarnivaltimejohnson.com/ alcarnivaltimejohnson.com]
Current_members =
Past_members =

Al "Carnival Time" Johnson (born June 201939, in New Orleans, LouisianaClassic Songs of Louisiana "Carnival Time", OffBeat Magazine, February 2007] ) is an American singer and piano player best known for the Mardi Gras song "Carnival Time".

History

Early life and career

After spending his early years in Houston, Johnson returned to New Orleans at the age of ten settling in the Lower Ninth Ward. His father bought him a trumpet, also a piano for his sisters and a trombone for his brother. Johnson took took interest in the piano and learned the basic chord changes in different keys. His early musical influences included Sugar Boy Crawford, Fats Domino and Smiley Lewis, to name a few. [http://louisianamusichalloffame.org/content/view/35/42/ Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Inductees 2007 - Al "Carnival Time" Johnson] ]

In 1956, at seventeen, he recorded his first songs, "Ole Time Talkin" and "I've Done Wrong"" for Aladdin Records. Johnson subsequently signed with Ric records and recorded series of songs at Cosimo Matassa's New Orleans recording studio starting with "Lena" in 1958. "Carnival Time" was recorded for the label in 1960. [http://www.alcarnivaltimejohnson.com/bio.html Official site biography] ] [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:k9fuxqt0ldde~T1 Biography on Allmusic] ] Produced by Joe Ruffino, the owner of the Ric label, the song eventually joined Professor Longhair’s "Go to the Mardi Gras" and "Big Chief", and the Hawkettes "Mardi Gras Mambo" as one of the most played and requested classics of the New Orleans Mardi Gras. Johnson was drafted and subsequently served and stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas.

When he returned to New Orleans in late 1964 he found that Ruffino had died and a protracted legal fight over royalties and rights to his music, among others, had left him with virtually nothing to show for his songs. Somewhere along the line, Johnson was nicknamed "Carnival Time" in honor of his famous song.

Later years

Johnson continued to perform where he could, and was finally awarded full rights to his hit song in 1999. In 2005, he reigned as King of the New Orleans Krewe Du Vieux. In 2006, in a limited release, he brought forward "Mardi Gras Strut", a new Mardi Gras celebration song.

In 2007, in performance in Mandeville, Louisiana, Johnson was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. Also in that year, he released the critically acclaimed "Lower Ninth Ward Blues", reflecting the plight of his and many others dislocation from their homes in the New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward by Hurricane Katrina.

In January of 2008, he performed as a guest artist at the Inaugural Ball of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, sharing the stage with Deacon John Moore and his band, "The Ivories".

Johnson currently shares time between Houston, Texas and New Orleans and awaits a home in the Harry Connick Jr. "Musicians' Village" development in New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina refugee musicians.

Discography

* 2006 "It's Carnival Time All The Time"
* 2007 "Lower Ninth Ward Blues"

References

External links

* [http://www.alcarnivaltimejohnson.com/ The official Al "Carnival Time" Johnson website]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:k9fuxqt0ldde~T1 Biography on Allmusic]