Alicia Johnston's Biography

Biography: Alicia Johnston

My family is full of musicians. My mom and dad bought my first

acoustic guitar when I was 14 years old. I had all these journals full of poems and lyrics.

This guitar finally gave me a new way to express myself.

(note: I also have a nice electric guitar aswell)

I really started to begin singing with a Girl folk band called "Prodigal Nature". We sang in coffeehouses, open mics and where ever else we could find. We did covers of artists like Jewel, Indigo Girls, Amanda Marshall, originals and whatever else we could play. Our mission was to always find resonating halls that would give us that larger than life effect. (aka: "Rock Stars!")

Through this growth, I did special requests for my high school such as assemblies and multi-culture shows. To start enhancing my technique, I took Jazz vocal lessons through a local Ottawa artist and performed on stage with open mics and live jams. I also dabbled with a rock band doing covers and originals. Oh and I can't forget to mention busking in the streets of downtown Ottawa. Or strutting down St. Catherine's in Montreal after the clubs had closed singing with my other singing friend at the top of our lungs, or singing in the bathroom or bus shelters- man do those have some great acoustics!

I joined a gospel choir called "Voices of Praise" when I was 16. We sang at weddings, churches and at the National Arts Centre to open for David Suzuki (the nature guy) We also played at the Civilization Museum in Hull, Quebec. It was good ol' gospel music with hands flapping and toes a dancing! Wonderful talent and definitely blessed with God's harmony.

Once I left high school I got a day job and then kept practicing by working for a Karaoke /Music DJ company in Ottawa, Ontario. I currently own my own business called "A.J's Singing Telegrams" in the local Vancouver area. Sharing smiles and laughter with anyone who's peeking in!

My influences are Bette Midler, Jann Arden, Jewel, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Counting Crows, and Josh Groban to name a few. Their music came into my life at different steps in my life and helped me through so much. Each different artist allowed me to find other avenues for my singing, writing style and performing.