Walt, as he prefers to be called,has been around professional music his entire life, with the exception of his time in the military. Walt is a decorated Vietnam Combat veteran. He spent his tour in the Central Highlands as a member of 1st Brigade (Iron Horse) HHB 4th Infantry Division Artillery as a Senior R.T.O. Walt's unit took part in the May 1970 Cambodian Incursion. Military service in Walt's family can be traced back to the Revolutionary War. 

" I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America, that oath never expires",,,,

                                                                     Walt Johnson 

Photo Taken circa 1970 Central Highlands of Vietnam

Music also goes a long way back. Walt grew up in a family where everyone was active in music and played an instrument. Most were engaged in Gospel music. Even his grandmother at one time had her own Gospel radio show out of a station in St. Clair County, Illinois. Walt made his own first professional gig at age 11. 

Where his roots are in Gospel and R&B, Walt often quotes his old friend and Grammy Nominee, Jack Blanchard in saying

" There are only two kinds of music, good and bad and I like the good"

Walt has also co-written with multi-palatium song writer Roy August. Roy had worked with Walt's uncle Earl Phelps back in the St. Louis area and he and Walt had met when Walt was 14. Roy went on to pen multiple hits, to include the 1982 Country Music Song of the year, "I'm Sitting Fancy Free" recorded by " The Oak Ridge Boys".  Below Photo include Earl Phelps and Roy August at a performance in East Louis, Illinois, circia 1965