In the early 60's, Johnny cut singles for regional labels like KRCO, Frolic, Diamond, Goldband, Jim, and Todd. In 1963, he moved to Chicago to check out the burgeoning blues scene. Upon returning to Beaumont, Johnny cut Eternally a pop - flavored number with horn arrangements by Edgar, which Atlantic Records licensed. That tune became a big hit around the Texas-Louisiana area and suddenly Johnny was opening up area coliseum shows for the Everly Brothers and Jerry Lee Lewis. His regular band around this time was alternately known as the Crystaliers. After two-and-a-half years of barnstorming the Deep South, they settled in Houston where they spent 1967 as the house band at the Act III Club. In 1968, Johnny began playing in a trio with bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Uncle John Turner. Their gigs at places like Austin's Vulcan Gas Company and Houston's Love Street Light Circus attracted the attention of a Rolling Stone writer who had been working on a piece about the Texas hippie scene. The author devoted three paragraphs to Johnny, whom he referred to as "the hottest item outside of Janis Joplin." << PREV | NEXT >>