Brandon C.W. Johnson is an American singer/songwriter. Rooted in the classic rock influences passed down to him from his parents and family, his influences include Ray Charles, Elton John, and The Eagles. Professionally, he has performed internationally at the Nashville Nights International Songwriters Festival. “Back to Seventeen” is a feel-good summer song which tells the story of two lovers returning to the passion and vulnerability of the relationship they shared when they were younger, and returning back to those feelings, back to ‘seventeen.’


We caught up with Brandon to discuss his career, goals, and more!
How did you get started in music?

I was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey. I grew up in a family who loves music, surrounded by classic rock and blues music. At the age of 12 I was assigned to write a paper for school on a man named Ray Charles. I didn’t know who Ray Charles was. When I returned home from school my father put a song called “Georgia On My Mind” on for me, and I remember it was the first time I really felt music. As Ray Charles is a piano player, I immediately became interested in the piano. Miraculously, I found that I had a natural gift for the piano and could play by ear quite well, especially blues music. I wrote my first song at age 12 and I can remember performing it in a piano bar in Texas in my early teens. Around age 15 I picked up the guitar, and really started focusing on writing music as an outlet for expressing feelings of love and heartache. My influences also include Elton John, The Eagles, and the Foo Fighters. Professionally, I have had the honor of playing internationally at The Nashville Nights International Songwriters Festival. It was an honor sharing the stage with some of the most renowned and iconic songwriters in country music.

Who were your favorite artists growing up?

Outside of Classic Rock and blues, I grew up in the 90s, so I grew up listening to all of the famous 90s Pop bands like NSYNC and of course Britney Spears, but also Rock Bands like Green Day and Good Charlotte.

What inspires your music?

All of my music is about a girl, it’s always about a relation I was involved in. I never know when a song will come, it comes when it’s ready I guess. Oftentimes I will hear the song in my head first, or dreaming, and then I’ll work at it in the piano or guitar until the song is out of my head and can be heard and shared.

How would you describe your music to someone who's never heard you before?

I would like to think of my music as nostalgic sounding, because I bring the influences from people like Ray Charles, Elton John, The Eagles, the 90s, the blues, all into my music as homage to them.

What are your ultimate goals for your career.

I did write professionally in Nashville, and I wasn’t sure if it was for me. To be a touring artist would be a dream, but I’m also very happy with my life now - I live a life that few people get to live, having traveled and lived all over the world, through 80 countries, across 7 continents.

What are you currently working on?

My next project is definitely an album. I want to build a real audience for this song however. This is a very special song for me because I witness the gravitation it had on people while living in Bucharest Romania. I would play this song live at an open stage and the crowd would sing along to every word - other musicians started to play the song live for their performances - it meant so much to see that - and I knew that I had written something that connected with others and it needed to be shared.

Any interseting facts or stories?

I have traveled through 80 countries, across 7 continents.

Follow Brandon C.W. Johnson on Instagram: @brandoncwjohnsonmusic