Anderson Oconee Pickens

Wanda Johnson Releases Debut CD

CONTACT: LISA GARRETT, 646-1506

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/16/2004
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- It has always been a fantasy of up-and-coming local blues singer Wanda Johnson to release a CD of her music. "For several years I have dreamed of recording a collection of tunes, but then on Mondays I resumed my day job and went back to the real world," she says laughing. Her dream became a reality late last year, when her first solo project, "Call Me Miss Wanda," a collection of 12 songs written by Johnson and her producer and musical mentor, Gary Erwin, hit the Internet for sale. "I feel like this musical journey has come full circle," said Johnson. "I'm walking in a dream."

By day, Wanda, a 1995 graduate of the Criminal Justice Department, is a probation agent for Anderson County's Probation, Pardon and Parole Services. On weekends she tours the Carolinas, belting out blues standards and developing an instant rapport with her growing legion of fans. When she is not performing her "Call Me Miss Wanda" tunes with the Charleston-based band, Shrimp City Slim, she is in Upstate clubs, singing lead vocals for the band, Cocktail Frank.

"I've been incredibly blessed," the Belton native said, referring to the 11 shows she did in Italy last November, which coincided with the release of the debut CD with musical partner, Shrimp City Slim. "Call Me Miss Wanda" is a blend of blues, gospel, soul, and her Southern roots. Its features 12 original songs, six penned by Wanda and six by Erwin. Wanda says it was recorded live with no overdubs in one day in a studio in Charleston last summer.

Reviews have been complimentary, she said. Especially the one appearing in the UK "Blues & Rhythm" magazine -- right alongside a review of a new recording by the King of Blues, B.B. King, whom Wanda was asked to open for at the Blues Festival in Greenville several years ago.

Reviewer Norman Darwen writes: "She is a fine writer and an even better singer, with a strong, distinctive voice and a wide range, both vocally and material wise. At only 40 years old, Miss Wanda plainly has a lot more ahead of her, and I look forward to hearing it. Yes I'm impressed."

"I was on the same page as the legendary BB King," said Wanda. "I have to pinch myself -- I'm still a single, struggling girl working every day. I'm just blessed with this alter ego in my life," she said.

"I'm letting my musical career do its own thing," she said. "Fortunately, my boss, Agent-in-Charge Gerald Black, is very supportive of my music. So many blessings have come my way. Who knows? We'll see what happens."

"Call Me Miss Wanda" is available at cdbaby.com and amazon.com.
Currently under construction: website address is www.wandaj.com
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