Comments for Tony Douglas Johnson http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com July 25, 1962 - May 20, 2007 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:32:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 Comment on Tony’s Music by Anonymous http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/archives/24#comment-13 Anonymous Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:45:56 +0000 http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/archives/24#comment-13 The tape you have titled "Tony Johnson" was a demo tape recorded in Atlanta with his band at the time. The only other members' names I remember are "T" on drums and Andy on guitar. 3. I believe was written for Eve though I think you have the title right. 5. "Given A Little Time" 6. Was written as a joke in some free time in the studio. He had fun recording it, but was never going to present it to anyone until some country artist convinced him it should be on the demo. The tape you have titled “Tony Johnson” was a demo tape recorded in Atlanta with his band at the time. The only other members’ names I remember are “T” on drums and Andy on guitar.
3. I believe was written for Eve though I think you have the title right.
5. “Given A Little Time”
6. Was written as a joke in some free time in the studio. He had fun recording it, but was never going to present it to anyone until some country artist convinced him it should be on the demo.

]]> Comment on Tony’s Music by John http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/archives/24#comment-12 John Tue, 05 Jun 2007 00:29:39 +0000 http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/archives/24#comment-12 I downloaded the magnum opus "Instrumental" track today so I could listen to it at the gym. The Cosmos, or Steve Jobs (whichever is more all-powerful), placed the track between Kenny Wayne Shepard and Van Halen on my iPod. In other words, right where it should be. Respect. I downloaded the magnum opus “Instrumental” track today so I could listen to it at the gym. The Cosmos, or Steve Jobs (whichever is more all-powerful), placed the track between Kenny Wayne Shepard and Van Halen on my iPod. In other words, right where it should be.

Respect.

]]> Comment on Yes, it’s true. by Faythe http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/archives/4#comment-11 Faythe Wed, 30 May 2007 14:34:45 +0000 http://tonydouglasjohnson.com/?p=4#comment-11 Good-bye Tony I too am a friend of Tony and Eve's from EMHS and spent many afternoons in their basement listening to Eagles' songs. I have many fond memories of those times. I remember that talent show Gwen, but didn't remember that you forgot the words. I remember what a hit their singing was however. Your memo is beautiful. I am saddened by Tony's untimely death. The memorial service was a nice tribute to his life. Of course I am left asking "why?" But the truth is that none of us know When our time will come. I hope you went with a sense of Peace Tony. Blessings and peace to the Johnson family. I pray a special blessing on Tony's 3 children as well. With love, Faythe Ropp Silveira Good-bye Tony

I too am a friend of Tony and Eve’s from EMHS and spent many afternoons in their basement listening to Eagles’ songs. I have many fond memories of those times. I remember that talent show Gwen, but didn’t remember that you forgot the words. I remember what a hit their singing was however. Your memo is beautiful.

I am saddened by Tony’s untimely death. The memorial service was a nice tribute to his life. Of course I am left asking “why?” But the truth is that none of us know When our time will come. I hope you went with a sense of Peace Tony. Blessings and peace to the Johnson family. I pray a special blessing on Tony’s 3 children as well.

With love, Faythe Ropp Silveira

]]> Comment on Yes, it’s true. by Gwen Frey http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/archives/4#comment-10 Gwen Frey Tue, 29 May 2007 03:25:34 +0000 http://tonydouglasjohnson.com/?p=4#comment-10 I went to high school at Eastern Mennonite High School with Tony and was best friends with his sister Eve. I was priveledged to spend many nights and weekends at the Johnson home and we often would end up in the basement were I got to enjoy Eve, Tony and Randy play. They would let me sing "backup" and as I have no musical ability to brag of what so ever this generous act is particularly a great memory. It sure was fun as a teenager to sing and play with those guys as I thought it was just so way cool with all the equipment and electric guitars and drums! My very best memory was the time we had a talent show at school and we decided to sing "Let Your Love Flow". I got to sing my usual backup and we spent every weekend practicing this song. Well the night of the talent show we got on stage and I promptly forgot everyword to that song. Thankfully Eve, Tony, and Randy did not need a backup singer because they stole the show! So Tony, with your brown curls and your wide goofy smile even though I could not remember the words very well that night, they have been in my heart and my mind for over 25 years........... "Just let your love flow like a mountain stream And let your love grow with the smallest of dreams And let your love show and you'll know what I mean It's the season Let your love fly like a bird on the wing And let your love bind you to all living things And let your love shine and you'll know what I mean That's the reason......." Fondly and warmly remembered, Gwen I went to high school at Eastern Mennonite High School with Tony and was best friends with his sister Eve. I was priveledged to spend many nights and weekends at the Johnson home and we often would end up in the basement were I got to enjoy Eve, Tony and Randy play. They would let me sing “backup” and as I have no musical ability to brag of what so ever this generous act is particularly a great memory. It sure was fun as a teenager to sing and play with those guys as I thought it was just so way cool with all the equipment and electric guitars and drums!
My very best memory was the time we had a talent show at school and we decided to sing “Let Your Love Flow”. I got to sing my usual backup and we spent every weekend practicing this song. Well the night of the talent show we got on stage and I promptly forgot everyword to that song. Thankfully Eve, Tony, and Randy did not need a backup singer because they stole the show!
So Tony, with your brown curls and your wide goofy smile even though I could not remember the words very well that night, they have been in my heart and my mind for over 25 years………..
“Just let your love flow like a mountain stream
And let your love grow with the smallest of dreams
And let your love show and you’ll know what I mean
It’s the season
Let your love fly like a bird on the wing
And let your love bind you to all living things
And let your love shine and you’ll know what I mean
That’s the reason…….”

Fondly and warmly remembered, Gwen

]]> Comment on For those of you who missed the service… by John http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/archives/16#comment-9 John Sun, 27 May 2007 23:41:31 +0000 http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/?p=16#comment-9 Like Eve, I cannot find a starting point to relay thoughts and memories about my friend Tony. So, random as they may be, here they are, poured out on paper. I first met Tony at John C. Myers Middle School. I heard him play guitar and sing at that time when he was all of what...13? He blew me away. He blew everybody away. He made young girls swoon. People should appreciate the context here. Child/young prodigies may be found around every corner today, pushing the envelope of talent, intellect and other achievement. They weren't nearly so common 30 years ago. But there WAS one. His name was Tony Johnson. Tony's talent was apparent to everyone that ever heard him play. But to his classmates and his closer friends, he was so much more than that. He was a great friend. Always willing to listen to someone's problem, offering helpful advice when he could, and often adding levity with his silly, spotaneous, and at times, genious sense of humor. He knew how to crack people up when they needed it and when they didn't. To me, what was genious about his humor was that is wasn't really ever the same, it was always something a little different; always original. He didn't have a "schtick;" he was just in-the-moment funny, whatever the situation happened to be. The one other thing I remember about Tony was that he was a natural born leader. I don't ever remember Tony not knowing what to do in any given situation. Almost without exception, he knew. He was a moral compass for people. He followed his convictions. I regret that we drifted apart in our adult lives, as most childhood friends do. I had been thinking about Tony the past few months; thinking that I should go see him, maybe get out the guitars again just for fun. I could have never dreamed that there would be so little time to do that. He was my friend and I will miss him. John Dove <i>I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until she hangs like a speck on the horizon. Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" Gone? Where? The loss of sight is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!" And that is dying. — Henry Van Dyke</i> Like Eve, I cannot find a starting point to relay thoughts and memories about my friend Tony. So, random as they may be, here they are, poured out on paper.

I first met Tony at John C. Myers Middle School. I heard him play guitar and sing at that time when he was all of what…13? He blew me away. He blew everybody away. He made young girls swoon. People should appreciate the context here. Child/young prodigies may be found around every corner today, pushing the envelope of talent, intellect and other achievement. They weren’t nearly so common 30 years ago. But there WAS one. His name was Tony Johnson.

Tony’s talent was apparent to everyone that ever heard him play. But to his classmates and his closer friends, he was so much more than that. He was a great friend. Always willing to listen to someone’s problem, offering helpful advice when he could, and often adding levity with his silly, spotaneous, and at times, genious sense of humor. He knew how to crack people up when they needed it and when they didn’t. To me, what was genious about his humor was that is wasn’t really ever the same, it was always something a little different; always original. He didn’t have a “schtick;” he was just in-the-moment funny, whatever the situation happened to be.

The one other thing I remember about Tony was that he was a natural born leader. I don’t ever remember Tony not knowing what to do in any given situation. Almost without exception, he knew. He was a moral compass for people. He followed his convictions.

I regret that we drifted apart in our adult lives, as most childhood friends do. I had been thinking about Tony the past few months; thinking that I should go see him, maybe get out the guitars again just for fun. I could have never dreamed that there would be so little time to do that.

He was my friend and I will miss him.

John Dove

I am standing upon the seashore.

A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.

I stand and watch her until she hangs like a speck on the horizon. Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”

Gone? Where? The loss of sight is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”

And that is dying.

— Henry Van Dyke

]]> Comment on For those of you who missed the service… by eve http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/archives/16#comment-8 eve Sun, 27 May 2007 10:28:24 +0000 http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/?p=16#comment-8 I have so many memories of Tony that I don't know where to begin. So I'm sure I will be back here, writing them down for a long time. For the first half of my life, Tony was both my brother and my best friend. We have so many shared experiences in our family life and growing up. Tony was a great part of my learning to look outside the boundaries that one might feel born with to see what you would really like to do in the world. This past week I've been thinking about this the most, I guess -- how we were such good friends as teens and how that has shaped my idea of who I am. He always made me feel that he was proud of me, he had such generosity of spirit that sometimes I thought he was incapable of seeing any of my flaws. It's inspiring to be loved like that, it helps you focus on what's wonderful about yourself. In the spirit of Tony, I want to love people the way he loved me. I have so many memories of Tony that I don’t know where to begin. So I’m sure I will be back here, writing them down for a long time. For the first half of my life, Tony was both my brother and my best friend. We have so many shared experiences in our family life and growing up. Tony was a great part of my learning to look outside the boundaries that one might feel born with to see what you would really like to do in the world. This past week I’ve been thinking about this the most, I guess — how we were such good friends as teens and how that has shaped my idea of who I am. He always made me feel that he was proud of me, he had such generosity of spirit that sometimes I thought he was incapable of seeing any of my flaws. It’s inspiring to be loved like that, it helps you focus on what’s wonderful about yourself. In the spirit of Tony, I want to love people the way he loved me.

]]> Comment on Yes, it’s true. by Anonymous http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/archives/4#comment-7 Anonymous Sat, 26 May 2007 01:18:07 +0000 http://tonydouglasjohnson.com/?p=4#comment-7 What most people remember about Tony is , he was and will always be the guitar man, a talent that put all of us in awe. But my best memories of Tony, would have to be the innocent clown that was in him and did get out on many occasions. Tony could be talking with you or playing games or whatever, being just as serious and stern as one could be, and the next thing you know he would break out in some outragious rant, or laugh, that would just break the mood, once and for all. Growing up with Tony and Randy we were really close living just across the street from each other for a while. I have so many memories, that have came back in this past week , and all of them have made me smile. Tony I will miss you so much, we didnt see each other much over the past years, but you will forever be in my heart, and your laugh in my thoughts. Lee What most people remember about Tony is , he was and will always be the guitar man, a talent that put all of us in awe. But my best memories of Tony, would have to be the innocent clown that was in him and did get out on many occasions. Tony could be talking with you or playing games or whatever, being just as serious and stern as one could be, and the next thing you know he would break out in some outragious rant, or laugh, that would just break the mood, once and for all. Growing up with Tony and Randy we were really close living just across the street from each other for a while. I have so many memories, that have came back in this past week , and all of them have made me smile. Tony I will miss you so much, we didnt see each other much over the past years, but you will forever be in my heart, and your laugh in my thoughts.

Lee

]]> Comment on Yes, it’s true. by Mona W. Milander http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/archives/4#comment-6 Mona W. Milander Wed, 23 May 2007 16:50:46 +0000 http://tonydouglasjohnson.com/?p=4#comment-6 I too went to school with Tony at JCM. Tony is proof that one does not have to be cruel, demeaning or overly wealthy to be popular or a success. For our riches are not measured by monetary funds, but by the measure of our friendships. Fame, not measured by how well known we are, but by the content and character of those friendships. Maybe little known to him, but he was a leader and role model for us in Jr. High & many have done well to follow his lead. That shy smile, sometimes bordering on a little impish grin, will be remembered fondly, always. Especially by all of us girls that had crushes on him! I am profoundly sorry for his family & numerous friends he has made over the years. But I know that Tony has left each & every one of you with many cherished memories & laughter to fill the empty space you now feel...if you let it. Mona I too went to school with Tony at JCM. Tony is proof that one does not have to be cruel, demeaning or overly wealthy to be popular or a success. For our riches are not measured by monetary funds, but by the measure of our friendships. Fame, not measured by how well known we are, but by the content and character of those friendships.
Maybe little known to him, but he was a leader and role model for us in Jr. High & many have done well to follow his lead. That shy smile, sometimes bordering on a little impish grin, will be remembered fondly, always. Especially by all of us girls that had crushes on him!

I am profoundly sorry for his family & numerous friends he has made over the years. But I know that Tony has left each & every one of you with many cherished memories & laughter to fill the empty space you now feel…if you let it.

Mona

]]> Comment on Full Obituary by lewis bagwell http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/archives/11#comment-5 lewis bagwell Wed, 23 May 2007 16:49:17 +0000 http://tonydouglasjohnson.com/?p=11#comment-5 I MET TONY IN THE 80`S .WE PLAYED IN A TOP SHELF BAND THE COACHMEN FOR I`D SAY 2 YEARS ..WE BECAME VERY GOOD FRIENDS AND HAD A BALL PLAYING THE BEST PAID AND BEST VENUES IN HARRISONBURG,ROCKINGHAM CO. I LOVED THE MANS SPIRIT AND HIS ABILITY TO PLAY AND SING. HE WAS ONEOFTHE MOST OPTIMISTIC PLAYERS I PLAYED MUSIC WITH IN MY 25 YEARS PLUS IN THE BUSINESS.NO ATTITUDE WHAT SO EVER PERIOD. TONY WROTE A SONG AND PLAYED SOLO FOR MY WIFE AND MY WEDDING.. THAT WILL FOREVER BE EMBEDDED IN MY MIND..HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED IN OUR HEARTS AND IN OUR MINDS FOREVER...GOD BLESS FAMILY AND FRIENDS SINCERELY,LEWIS BAGWELL I MET TONY IN THE 80`S .WE PLAYED IN A TOP SHELF BAND THE COACHMEN
FOR I`D SAY 2 YEARS ..WE BECAME VERY GOOD FRIENDS AND HAD A BALL PLAYING THE BEST PAID AND BEST VENUES IN HARRISONBURG,ROCKINGHAM CO.
I LOVED THE MANS SPIRIT AND HIS ABILITY TO PLAY AND SING.
HE WAS ONEOFTHE MOST OPTIMISTIC PLAYERS I PLAYED MUSIC WITH IN MY 25 YEARS PLUS IN THE BUSINESS.NO ATTITUDE WHAT SO EVER PERIOD.
TONY WROTE A SONG AND PLAYED SOLO FOR MY WIFE AND MY WEDDING..
THAT WILL FOREVER BE EMBEDDED IN MY MIND..HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED
IN OUR HEARTS AND IN OUR MINDS FOREVER…GOD BLESS FAMILY AND FRIENDS

SINCERELY,LEWIS BAGWELL

]]> Comment on Yes, it’s true. by Michael http://www.tonydouglasjohnson.com/archives/4#comment-4 Michael Tue, 22 May 2007 19:06:53 +0000 http://tonydouglasjohnson.com/?p=4#comment-4 Tony played astonishing guitar for The Coachmen. I was privileged to be in the group with him. He had a limitless supply of enthusiasm and dry wit. My sour moods scurried away and hid when I was with him. He was the "Great Guy" we all know about but few get to meet :) Tony's interest in and concern for others made him a rock in time of trouble, though he'd not see it that way. Though I am diminished by his passing, I will not stay down long, because taking a shine to life and accepting what comes were Tony's roadmaps to his journey here. Whatever he had, he wanted everyone else to have, too. Let's be getting to it. Tony played astonishing guitar for The Coachmen. I was privileged to be in the group with him.

He had a limitless supply of enthusiasm and dry wit. My sour moods scurried away and hid when I was with him. He was the “Great Guy” we all know about but few get to meet :)

Tony’s interest in and concern for others made him a rock in time of trouble, though he’d not see it that way.

Though I am diminished by his passing, I will not stay down long, because taking a shine to life and accepting what comes were Tony’s roadmaps to his journey here. Whatever he had, he wanted everyone else to have, too. Let’s be getting to it.

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