Johnny Reade, USA – a bus stop dreamer

Here’s a new chapter in our series about bus stop dreamers, who like and share our music. Today we travel to United States and meet Johnny Reade. 

Bus Stop Dreams: Where do you come from and where do you live today?

Johnny: I am from Hackettstown, New Jersey in the United States, and I currently live there today.

BSD: What do you work with?

Johnny: Currently I am Unemployed. For 20 years I was a Quality Control Technician for an Imaging products company. I have an electronics background and worked with printers and copy machines.

BSD: Is there anything special you are passionate about or care for?

Johnny: I love creating music. I have been playing guitar since I was 14 years old and over the years have taught myself how to play the bass, drums and keyboard. I have a small home studio in my apartment. Some of my songs have been played on various podcasts and one of my songs was played on a local college radio station.

Angel On My Shoulder

BSD: I found this beautiful song above, “Angel On My Shoulder”, on your Reverbnation page. Can you tell us something about it?

Johnny: I have been very blessed in my life, almost as if someone is helping me along the way. It seems that no matter how bad things get in my life there is something that helps me thru it. Many times I have avoided bad situations because I feel like someone or something is telling me subconsciously what I should do. I don’t know if you believe in angels…. but I do. That is what the song is about.

BSD: That’s beautiful Johnny, thanks. You also seem to have a number of guitars. Have you got a special one to show us?

Johnny: I also like to repair and collect guitars. Here’s a photo on my 1972 Gibson SG that I restored. It was a total mess when I got it. I recently pulled it out and finished up the job with new pickups and pick guard.

BSD: I also know that you are running a music podcast, “The Johnnyrockin’ music show“, and have created more than 40 shows this far. Can you tell me something about that? How did it all start?

Johnny: I started doing my podcast because I was getting my music played on other podcasts and I thought it would be cool if I did the same thing for others. I have not been doing my show on a regular basis like I used to, because I have noticed that when I do them too often people don’t seem too interested. What I have noticed is when I do them every once in a while I attract a good audience. I think that if you do things too often people get used to it being there all the time and figure they can listen anytime. I will be doing another show sometime soon, it has been a while.

BSD: What kind of music do you listen to?

Johnny: I listen to all kinds of music, but my favorite is hard rock. I grew up listening to all the great bands from the 70’s and 80’s.

BSD: Do you have a favourite song among Bus Stop Dreams’ songs so far?

Johnny: so far my favorite would be…. Come Together.

BSD: Can you recommend a book to Bus Stop Dreams’ listeners?

Johnny: This Business of Music. This book is considered the Bible for the business side of the music industry.

BSD: Finally, do you have a an album to recommend?

Johnny: Too many great albums to list. Music is a matter of taste, Listen to whatever gives you pleasure. 🙂

BSD: Many thanks Johnny. Best of luck with your music.