Jack Howdy Johnson is a record-breaking American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. A former athlete, Jack became a popular musician with the song "Rodeo Clowns" in 1999. His musical career is centered around the soft rock and acoustic genres.
He is a four-time US Billboard Hot 200 No. Longs' and 'Lullabies' with Film Curious George.
He draws inspiration from legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Otis Redding, The Beatiles, Bob Marley and Neil Young, among others. He is an environmentalist and works with several non-governmental organizations, including his own charitable foundation, to improve the environment.
Jack's talents don't stop there as he is also a popular actor, documentary director and producer. During his seventeen years of musical career, he received several awards as an actor and singer-songwriter.
From his debut album Brushfire Fairytales to his sixth album From Here to Now to You, Jack rocked the music charts. His upcoming seventh album is due out in 2017.
Childhood of the future artist
Jack Hody Johnson was born on May 18, 1975 on the north coast of Oahu, Hawaii. He is the youngest of three siblings and the son of famed surfer Jeff Johnson. Like his father, Jack took surfing lessons at the age of five, surfing almost every day for three to four hours.
However, surfing was not his only passion, as music soon became a big part of Jack's life. His older brother Trent was a member of the band and gradually Jack became interested in music as well. He often watched his brother play the guitar and later taught himself how to play the guitar.
Jack excelled in both of his talents. However, when he was seventeen, he received an invitation to the Pipeline Masters finals. What seemed to be the start of a professional surfing career unfortunately came to a halt when he was injured following an accident at the Pipeline Masters. This incident changed Jack's life, who was significantly humiliated and eventually became more humble and down to earth.
Jack graduated from high school only in order to get permission to enter the "University of California" located in Santa Barbara. It was here that he began writing his own songs and often used music as a way to impress his love of college. Later, he received a bachelor's degree, namely a degree in film studies from the university in 1997.
Filmmaker Jack Howdy Johnson
At the age of 18, Jack Johnson entered the University of California at Santa Barbara to study film. There he began to write songs. He also met with co-stars Chris Malloy and Emmett Malloy. Together they made successful surf documentaries "Thicker Than Water" (2000) and "September Sessions" (2002).
However, Jack Johnson did not give up music. He continued to make connections and made his first appearance at the Rodeo Clowns with Love and Special Sauce Philadelphonic. The song was recorded while Johnson was working on "Thicker Than Water".
Brushfire fairyles
As Jack continued his work on the film, a four-track demo of his music caught the attention of producer Ben-Harper J. Plunier. Harper was Johnson's favorite musical inspiration as early as his student days. Plunyer agreed to release the singer's debut album, Brushfire Fairytales, released in early 2001.
With extensive touring support, the album reached the top 40 of the US Albums Chart and top 40 contemporary rock singles "Bubble Toes" and "Flake". Jack Johnson's own label, formed in 2002, was named Brushfire Records after his successful solo debut.
Jack Johnson as Pop Star
Jack Johnson's calm, sunny songs attracted the attention of college music lovers first, but he soon began to gain recognition across a wide range of pop genres. The second solo album On and On was released in 2003 and peaked at No. 3.
Two years later, his third solo release, In Between Dreams, reached No. 2 and sold over two million copies. It included the single "Sit Wait Want", which Jack Johnson received a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Jack Johnson launched Brushfire Records in 2002. In addition to his own recordings, the label is now the home of J. Love and Special Sauce, which gave Johnson an early boost in his career. Singer-songwriter Matt Costa and indie rock band Rogue Wave were among other key artists on the label.
Johnson took to recording his fifth studio album, Sleep Through the Static, as one of the top singer/songwriters in the music business. He stated that the new album will feature more electric guitar work than in the past. The project's first single is "If I Had Eyes". The album debuted at number one upon release in early February 2008. Sleep Through the Static spent 3 weeks at the top of the Billboard albums chart.
To the Sea, Jack Johnson's sixth studio album, was released in 2010. It peaked at number one on the US and UK album charts. It included his most popular single, "You and Your Heart", which reached the top 20 of the pop, rock, and alternative charts. The album included the use of a wider range of instruments in the past, including an electronic organ.
In 2013, Jack Johnson released the album From Here To Now To You and also headlined the Bonnaroo Music Festival. The album topped the overall album chart as well as the rock, folk and alternative charts.
Awards and achievements
Throughout his career, Jack has been nominated for and won several awards. Few of the awards he received early in his career are the ESPN Film Festival Award Highlight Award in 2000 and ESPN Surfing's Music Artist of the Year in 2001 and 2002.
In 2006, he received two Grammy Awards for "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" and "Best Pop Collaboration". In the same year, he won the "Best British Male Solo Performance" award.
In 2010, he received a Humanitarian Award at the Billboard Touring Awards, and in 2012, the National Wildlife Fund (NWF) presented him with the National Communications Conservation Achievement Award.
Personal life and legacy
On July 22, 2000, he married Kim. The couple were later blessed with two boys and a girl. He lives with his family on the island of Oahin in Hawaii.
In 2003, he founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation and raised money for it through his concerts, organizing music festivals, and earning a fixed income from part of his record label.
Jack Johnson and his wife created another foundation called the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation in 2008. It aims to raise environmental awareness and spread music and arts education around the world.
He also donated $50 to Hurricane Sandy, one of the deadliest of several hurricanes to hit the United States in 000. He even added links to his official website for others to contribute.
In addition to his success with pop-rock audiences, the famous Jack Johnson is known for his commitment to environmental issues. His concerts are a true example of sustainable innovation, from the use of biodiesel to powering tour buses and trucks, to on-site recycling and the use of low-energy lighting in concert venues.
