Pastor Rudell Johnson

When it comes to spirituality many people express it in different ways but when
someone is truly blessed with a voice from ‘up above’ they have a duty to the world to
express their gift through music.
Pastor Rudell Johnson is one such voice that has ‘risen up’ from the harsh streets of
Gary, Indiana as a child to eventually moving to the Bay Area in California by the age of
12. As a youth, Pastor Johnson went to the same grade school as Michael and Marlon
Jackson and would often get to perform in talent shows with his neighborhood friends as
well as in his sister’s hallway where she would often let them know they sounded like a
“bunch of howling dogs” however still clearly recognizing her brother’s talent.
Realizing his gift at an early age, Pastor Johnson would continue his love of music but
made a few mistakes along the way by carrying numbers and transporting drugs for
known criminals in his neighborhood.
As a way to a better life, Pastor Johnson left for California where he would eventually
meet some older guys singing in the schoolyard who first threatened to beat him up when
he challenged each and every one to a singing contest. Although they laughed at first they
quickly discovered he had a powerful and mature voice for such a young age after
masterfully singing a Smokey Robinson song. Amazed, they soon became fast friends
and would have him singing and harmonizing with them from that day forward!
As an adult, Pastor Johnson joined a group called the Maverick Brothers where they
would eventually score a record deal and perform R&B songs on tour with famous
groups such as The Whispers, Gladys Knight & The (Pips), ConfunkShun, Midnight Star and Blue Magic just to
name a few. However, Pastor Johnson’s early life would eventually catch up with him
and lead to incarceration where he would began his journey of spiritual awakening and
drawing closer to God.
With inspirations from the worlds of Gospel, Country, Bluegrass, R&B, etc, Pastor
Johnson describes his sound as culmination of all forms of music made into “One loving
sound of praise!” Citing influences from Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Donnie
Hathaway, Miles Davis as well as his own family of musicians and singers, Pastor
Johnson has created a body of work for the whole world that is food for the soul no
matter what nationality or religion!!!