People are starting to really pay attention to this band that plays over 120 shows per year. Whether they are playing at home in Phoenix, AZ or somewhere on the road, the crowds are growing larger and larger. Shawn Johnson and the Foundation has won four awards in as many years: Arizona's Infusion of Music Award 2002, Winner of Jillian's Battle of the Bands for Phoenix 2004, and most notably, Best Jam Band Of AZ by the AZ Infusion of Music Awards 2005, and "Best Acoustic Act" 2006 by the Phoenix New Times. In 2008, the received the honor of being named Reader's Choice, "Best Local Band" by azcentral.com, the website for the Phoenix area's largest newspaper. You never know when you are going to go see a national act, and SJF is the opener. SJF has gotten fans to their feet opening for O.A.R., The Fray, Rusted Root, Los Lobos, David Crosby, Cake,
Pat McGee Band, Everclear, Little Feat, The Southland, Joe Bonamassa, The Samples, The Phunk Junkies, Cowboy Mouth, and The Format, among others.
Yes, the vibe is catching on.
The four guys that make up SJF are musicians to the core. Singer/songwriter Shawn Johnson on vocals and rhythm guitar, Jayson Johnson on lead guitar, Jaron Mossman on drums, and Jim Hornaday on bass. They are a great group of friends that you want to witness when you go to see a band. There is that special presence and chemistry that translates to a great performance on stage. There is so much talent, and the guys keep their fans coming back for more, again and again, because there is always something new and exciting to see and hear at every show, even for the faithful follower.
The band is no happy accident. Jayson and Jaron were introduced to Shawn specifically because a mutual friend knew that they would work and play well together, and that all three of them would have a mutual goal of creating music that feeds positive energy directly to the listener. Jim Hornaday is the most recent addition to the band, and he and Shawn have known each other for many years. In fact, Jim used to own Dream Catcher Recording Studio in Mesa, AZ, and he produced Shawn's CD Strength. Work on the fourth Shawn Johnson and the Foundation studio album, the first studio CD to include the new band line-up, is nearing completion and SJF is expected to release the new studio CD in the Spring of 2008.
Let's get down to the reason that SJF is different. Let's get down to the reason why their listeners are addicted to the constant mutual exchange of inspiration when you go to an SJF show: The Vibe. The vibe is one of celebration. They LOVE their audience. They love to be fed by the energy, and they love to give it back with just a little bit more sweat.
Discography:
Ego vs. Soul (1998),
Heartstrong (1999),
Strength (2002),
Dangling: Live 2005 (2005)
Shawn Johnson and The Foundation's Friend Space (Top 20)
Shawn Johnson and The Foundation has 3275 friends.
HOLY SH*T!!!! You guys were amazing this weekend! I haven't seen you guys since the third thursday gig at Tempe Marketplace. It was a pleasure seeing you again. What a great weekend!
noticed on your calendar that you will be in san diego for a few gigs....gonna send word out to my friends who live there - hope all is good and rock it out north of payson! xo
Congrats on the AZ Central BEST LOCAL BAND! You deserve it. Here's to hoping one day you'll be nominated and people will not vote for you because "they aren't local anymore..." :)
Just wanted to say I really dig your shows. I listen to quite a few of them on www. archive. org. Saw you in Vegas at Ra Sushi before DMB. Amazing set! Hooked ever since. Great vibe. Anyway, I voted for y'all at azcentral. Good luck!
