The lovely and extremely talented Deanna Johnston was brought to the public eye during her amazing, passionate and dynamic performances on the first season of Rock Star: INXS last year.  Although JD Fortune was ultimately chosen to be the newest member of INXS, viewers could hardly forget the Southern Fried Rock and Blues vocal styling of Kingston, Ontario’s own Deanna Johnston.

Christine: Deanna, when did you begin your career as a rock musician and how did you get your start?

Deanna: I started singing in 1992.  I was attending St. Lawrence College at the time, doing the Graphic Design program.  My boyfriend at the time was a drummer so I was hanging in the musician circles in Kingston.  Bands like ‘Little Betty’, ‘Juice’ and ‘Wild Rose’ were all big influences on me.  I was in awe of the scene; I had no idea ‘normal’ folks were on stage, performing in night clubs earning money!!!  The whole scene was foreign to me.  I loved it.  A series of ‘things’ happened.  I’ve talked so much about this, I’m bored of it myself, so I’m not gonna get into detail, but I decided to teach myself how to sing in the hopes that I would be more desirable to a certain someone!!  Lame, pathetic, young, insecure, I know that was me.  So I started singing along to the radio while doing homework, took a few lessons, put a band together and started gigging on weekends. I was horrible, limited concept of pitch!!  But for some reason I got players to work with me, and luckily I didn’t know I sucked so I kept going. I eventually joined a band called ‘Mask’ out of Cleveland, OH.  This was the beginning of me taking music seriously and pursuing it.  I had a bass player friend who was a great influence on me, pushed me to ‘get outta Dodge’, told me I had a special talent and needed to really go for it!!  His name is Wil McGonegal and we were in a band together called ‘1-900’!!!!  He rocks!!!  When I was back here in Kingston last Feb. for FebFest he performed with me.  It was the first time in over 10 years and it was awesome experience!!!

What’s been a miracle and so special and important for me all along this music journey I’ve been on is that, I was ridiculously, terribly shy as a child and up until I found music.  I was closed off emotionally, with no outlet.  Singing brought me OUT, gave me a voice.  I’ve been using music to ‘extract’ emotional ‘stuff’ ever since!!  At this point I have to perform for emotional health!!  Crazy as that sounds…. 

Christine: Is your husband Chuck Sparks a musician?

Deanna: Yes, he’s a drummer / producer.  We met in the studio actually.

Christine: Although I’m a fan of practically every musical influence you have acknowledged (including Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt and Aerosmith), I know that U2 is at the top of that list and because they’re my favourite band in the Universe, I have to ask you, what do they mean to you?

Deanna: Oh my goodness... well I was in high school, I think Grade 12, when the movie ‘Rattle and Hum’ came out.  I went to the theatre and it affected me so deeply, so intensely.  It stirred something way, way down inside, something I had no idea was even there.  I had no idea why I was so affected by this movie.  I didn’t start singing ‘til my 3rd year of college, way after high school had ended.  I was a ‘jock’ in high school, loved sports and thought the musicians were geeks!!!  Sorry y’all!!!  So it didn’t make any sense to me at all. I’ve always LOVED U2, even way before the movie, but it was a metaphor for me that‘s for sure, although I didn’t know it at the time.

Christine: How can you sum up what the Rock Star: INXS experience was for you and how did it change your life?

Deanna: Wow, big question….well, it certainly made me realize how strong I am and determined and focused I can be under extreme, wacky conditions!!!  Being on a Mark Burnett show is about drama, and we had to live in an environment that breeds drama and uncertainty and insecurity!!  We weren’t allowed any contact with family or friends except for VERY MINIMAL, monitored calls.  No outside influences at all, no TV, internet, magazines, books, newspapers, CD’s, mp3 players, iPods etc. etc. etc.  Just alone going through the experience with camera crew, CBS and Burnett folks and the other contestants of course.  So being in that secluded environment meant that we really needed to be self sufficient and secure with in ourselves, able to handle a lot of stress, and the ability to befriend, trust and truly understand our opponent/fellow rock stars !!!

The greatest thing that Rock Star did for me was draw people together.  My family and friends were all deeply affected by the experience just as much if not more than me.  They were on the outside looking in, sometimes that’s a tougher place to be, especially when they couldn’t guide me or give me advice.  I couldn’t really see what was going on and how things were being portrayed; they could, so it was really hard for them.  As far as folks being drawn together, I have several people who had ‘family’ night 3x’s a week to watch me, even though they were watching TV, they were all together, pulling together, interacting….it was very powerful and beautiful to learn of this happening while I was on TV.

The 2nd greatest thing was validation for me as an artist.  Struggling for years and years, believing in myself, but so many ‘no’s’, ‘you’re not what were looking for’, ‘you’re not quite there’, ‘you’re not good enough’, etc. etc. can really kill your spirit and make you question yourself daily.  But, finally on international TV established, high profile industry folk were praising and acknowledging my talent, WOW!!!! Finally!!!  But then I was ‘booted off the island’, and it’s then, ‘now what’??????  Ha!!!!

My life has changed a lot professionally.  I was able to quit my corporate gig and just pursue my journey to be an original artist and not a cover band singer.  Many doors have opened, maybe not the ones I want at times but all open doors have led to greater things, beyond my understanding, and I’ve just been enjoying going through one door at a time, learning, then opening the next, learning, then the next etc. etc…I finally found my ‘thang’ as far as an original sound and material goes, thanks to a writer I started working with once I got off the show.  Then another friend of mine came into the mix.  We’ve been able to really tap into something special.  I’ve been looking for writer(s) to really connect with for so long, and finally I got it!!!  Now I’m just getting the material out to music industry folks.  The response has been great - perfect actually, things are starting to fall into place.

At first I thought that trying to replace Michael Hutchence in the band was blasphemy but I was truly pleasantly surprised by how things turned out and by what JD brings to the band.  Your thoughts?

JD’s doing a great job, he’s perfect for the band.  He’s obviously inspired by MH, very similar vocally.  INXS were smart, they decided to keep doing what has already worked and JD was the perfect one for that.

Christine: Do you keep in touch with any of the other performers that you met on the show?

Deanna: Absolutely... Suzie, Ty, Mig, Jessica, Tara, Brandon.  We’ve done some shows together in Canada, in the Toronto/Kingston area.  That was a trip!!  Performing in Kingston and seeing old boyfriends who I haven’t seen in years!! Wow!! So much support and love there, it’s wonderful to go back.  Love Kingston, it’s an amazing town to grow up in!!  Actually Suzie, Ty and I are going to Afghanistan to perform for the Canadian Troops in November!! Very excited about that!!

Christine: I really liked what you had to say about the way Rock Star: Supernova turned out in your online blog of September 13th.  You said “Bring back 'real' rock, with a 'real' woman fronting. Remember bands like Heart, Stevie Nicks, Jefferson Airplane, etc. etc. Dilana is incredibly unique with her look and her voice. She's unpredictable, has an ego, then can be sweet, dresses like a Goth Cindy Lauper, sounds like a cross between Stevie Nicks and Kim Carnes, she's energetic, sexy at times, even awkward, odd almost asexual at times, she's controversial...!!!! She's someone you wanna see, hear, figure out, chat with etc. etc.”  I couldn’t agree with you more.  How do you see women’s future in rock?  Particularly women who aren’t in their 20’s anymore?

Deanna: Well, I believe folks 35+ really want a ‘real Rockstar’ to come out.  We’re tired of the bubble gum pop, top 40, R’n’B hip hop thing…actually that’s why the country market is more desirable right now, they seem to be taking more chances and signing acts that are more classic rock based.  Whether it’s a female or male, who cares as long as they have ‘it’.  Perfect example of a ‘real Rockstar’, Steven Tyler!!!!  Sex appeal, voice, look, charisma, great tunes, etc. etc.  Where are those front people now a days???  Sorry if I’m sounding negative…

Christine: I don’t think you’re sounding negative at all. You’re just telling the truth and I agree with you!  After 14 years, do you have any words of wisdom to impart to young women starting out in the music business?

Deanna: Again male or female, doesn’t matter, just go for it, don’t give up, ever, unless you suck!! Ha!!  Persistence and talent will get you there, I believe, I have to believe that, since I’m still on my path trying to find my place.  Just remember you may not end up where you wanna be, but you’ll be where you’re supposed to.  Very important to know the difference.  Also important to be flexible and change, always re-evaluate what ‘making it’ truly means to you????  Forever it was to be on the radio, hit songs, a ‘star’, but really, I just wanna make music, and that be all I do, no 9 to 5, be able to earn a decent living, be able to visit family, take a trip, have a family, look myself in the mirror and have peace….

Christine: You were in Kingston on August 6th this year and played a show at The Joy Supper Club with Suzie McNeil and a few other performers.  I am so bummed that I missed it!  How did it go?

Deanna: It was amazing… felt the Kingston support and love BIG TIME!! Always a joy to be back in Kingston, especially performing… it’s a gorgeous city!!

Christine: I actually went to Kingston’s Market Square to see you play FebFest this past February but as you know, the whole show got rained out which was a major disappointment.  Did you at least get to see your family while you were home?

Deanna: My immediate family now lives in the Okanagan Valley area of BC.  My sister, Holli and my Dad were there.  Also, though, two of my cousins came with their families.  The entire weekend was an amazing, spiritual experience with family actually!!  Bonding, laughing…..I did end up putting on an intimate show just with them, and friends in a conference room at the hotel I was staying at.  It was amazing@@!!  Very personal and so touching and humbling really….

Christine: I was reading that you had a fantastic time recently in Nashville.  Who were you playing with?  Would you ever consider moving there?

Deanna: I performed with the band that back ups Jason Aldean on tour, he’s a new country artist really kickin’ some butt!!!  Loved the band, loved the guys, all amazing players and souls!! Would definitely consider moving to Nashville, that may be happening actually!!!!!  It’s a great place, WWWAAAAYYYY more conducive to raising a family and family values than living in LA!!   Now don’t get me wrong, LA has been an amazing journey and place to experience, I have the BEST friends here, but #$% well, it’s LA!!

Christine: If you don’t already know of him, you should check out singer/songwriter Will Hoge who is from Nashville.  He’s a terrific performer and one of my favourite discoveries of 2006.  You two could do an awesome duet together that would rock the socks off any venue!

MMMM, I’ll have to look into that!

Christine: How is the writing going?  What is your writing process like?

Deanna: Writing is amazing, as I mentioned with my two partners in crime!!  We call our songwriting team ‘Copper River Music’, check out our MySpace page: www.myspace.com/copperrivermusic

Process changes like that wind... never the same…ya never know what’s gonna happen, or how, or when, or why...

Christine: When do you expect you might have a new album completed?

Deanna: Well, I certainly feel like I have the material for the album just waiting to get the right label on board, I really want the right fit!!  So I have no idea…

Christine: Do you have a label yet?  Have you tried approaching Canadian labels like True North?

Deanna: Have not approached Canadian labels….haven’t even heard of True North????  Hmmmm…….

Christine: Are there any upcoming gigs that you’re excited about?

Deanna: Afghanistan in November, Back to Nashville, although, not sure when I’ll be performing there again... Not really performing a lot these days, mostly trying to get the biz side taken care of...

Christine: My good friend Riker (a.k.a. Ken) from MySpace would like me to say hello to you and let you know that he really appreciates the fact that you allowed him to use your music and image in his videos.  He’s a good man and is trying to get a new video production company off the ground.

Deanna: Happy to help and support.  We’re all trying to ‘get somewhere’, might as well help each other!!!!

Christine: Deanna, I’d just like to thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me and give the fans in Kingston, Ontario the lowdown on how you’re doing in LA.  It was a pleasure to talk to you.

Deanna: Thank you, anytime!!! Love Kingston, always will!!!!  Thanks so much for the support. Check out my MySpace and website please!! Please!! www.deannajohnston.net and www.myspace.com/deannajohnston

www.myspace.com/deannajohnston
www.myspace.com/copperrivermusic
www.deannajohnston.net
www.laallstars.com

Christine Bode
c.bode@partyinkingston.com