Descendants of Lotillie “Tillie” and Merry New Year “Mollie” Chesney Johnson, as well as descendants of Gordon “Gordie” Johnson and the Esker Johnson families, gathered the evening of March 25, 2008 at the B&G Grill for a wonderful family reunion. After the buffet, the crowd was treated to entertainment by Lois Johnson and her cousin, C. J. Morgan. Many of you will remember Lois, Horace Maynard High School Class of 1959. Lois is the daughter of the late Fred and Iretta Butcher Johnson. Although Lois began her professional career at age 11 on local radio and television, soon after high school Lois moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, to become a member of the Wheeling Jamboree. After playing three years in Wheeling, she joined the Abby Neal Show in Las Vegas for a six-month tour of the Far East. As many good musicians seem to do, it was then on to Nashville for Lois, where she met her future husband. She recorded two albums with Hank Williams, Jr., which resulted in a No. 3 single–Send Me Some Lovin–and won for Lois and Hank, Jr. a nomination for CMA Country Duo of the Year. At 20th Century Records, Lois cut her first solo LP, an album which produced two top ten singles–Loving You Will Never Grow Old and Come on in and Let Me Love You, both written by her husband, Joe Don Silvers. In 1984, she was voted 4th best female vocalist–just behind Barbara Mandrell, Janie Fricke and Reba McIntyre. Lois was a member of the televised Ernest Tubb show along with Willie Nelson and Jack Greene. Television appearances include the Porter Wagoner Show, That Nashville Music, The Mike Douglas Show, Nashville Now, and New Country. Film credits include Country Boy, Backwater and Country Music U.S.A. with Hollywood’s Beau Bridges and James Drury. The late Dottie West proclaimed Lois as her favorite singer while appearing on the Ralph Emory television show. Lois’ honors and awards are too numerous to mention, and Union County is proud of Lois. C. J. Morgan is equally talented as song writer, vocalist and entertainer. In 2006, C. J. Won the Rising Star Female Vocalist of the Year, Most Promising Female Entertainer of the Year and Clogger of the Year Awards in the Tennessee Country Music Association competition. She is the daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Carl Butcher, so she has Union County ties as well. C. J. and Lois are currently entertaining at the “Chicken & Dumplings Show” at Pigeon Forge as well as other venues.
Johnsons of all ages visited, renewed acquaintances and caught up on the latest family news. DJ and Preacher Alan Johnson particularly enjoyed getting to hear cousin Lois again. Alan and his wife, Carolyn, came even though Carolyn was having shoulder surgery the next morning. We hope she’s “in the pink” by now.
Johnny Johnson’s daughter Elizabeth, her husband and granddaughter were there–just back from seven years of missionary work in Turkey. They have now settled in Louisiana.
Bob Johnson, son of Robert and Ella, did a fantastic job of organizing and coordinating the gathering. He had copies of Elmo and Evelyn’s book, Long Lost Cousins, for those who didn’t already have a copy. As a bit of a surprise to Lois, it was arranged to have played the 1974 recording of Loving You Will Never Grow Old and Come On In and Let Me Love You, and a clip of Lois performing on the Jim Clayton Show “Star Time” about 1975.

Needless to say, a grand time was had by all.

March 26, 2008