Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Chops.
Hi Johnny, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started playing bass in bands while attending SWT in San Marcos in the late 90s as a way to make a little extra money on the weekends. It eventually became more feasible as a career choice than spending more of my own money to finish school. I left college to try to chase down my dream of being a career musician and songwriter and spent the first few years in near poverty. I delivered pizzas and sandwiches during the week and picked up gigs with various bands on the weekends. Eventually, I got lucky and answered an ad on the wall of a bar at which I frequently performed. It turned out to be the Randy Rogers Band, who was just beginning to grow a buzz in the central Texas country music scene. Unlike most acts in the country circuit, Randy offered each band member a stake in the ownership of the company so we solidified our lineup and got to work. After tracking down Radney Foster to produce our first album together, things began to move fairly quickly for us as we played larger festivals, drew bigger crowds and eventually signed a five album deal with MCA Records in Nashville.
It allowed us a much bigger audience and source of backing at a crucial point in our careers and eventually, we left on amicable terms to release our own records as an independent band. We have played upwards of 150 shows a year since 2002, recorded eight studio albums and two live ones and shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert, George Strait and many others. It’s really been quite a ride and we are still out there plugging away, getting ready for our next recording project, a reunion with Radney Foster. In my time away from the band, I also write songs regularly and have released two solo projects, 2013’s “Sticks & Stones” and 2018’s “Johnny Chops & The Razors” which serve to highlight my own unique style and help cement my solo reputation as a songwriter and performer. I’ve released three singles and videos in the past year with plans for a fourth later this summer, in addition to writing a song a week since March of 2020.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the most part, I’ve been extremely lucky professionally. In the beginning, it was a tough slog and last year during the pandemic was the first time in a long time I questioned my path but I have faith that I’m doing what I was put on this earth to do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I play bass in the Randy Rogers Band. I’ve written several tunes the band has recorded including, “Wicked Ways” which was chosen for our performance on the David Letterman show and Last Last Chance which claimed a Texas Music Chart #1. I also write and produce songs for my own project, Johnny Chops & The Razors which showcases the broad range of influences with own interpretations.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the unique character of Austin. It has always stood out as different from other cities and I hope it continues to do so. I enjoy the variety of great “mom and pop” business that can’t be duplicated anywhere else. The traffic and the quickly rising cost of living here has unfortunately gotten much worse over the years. That has to be our biggest flaw.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@johnnychopsmusic.com
- Instagram: @johnnychopsrrb
- Facebook: @johnnychopsmusic
- Twitter: @rrbchops
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAZS1JOj6IO0jWkgnCs_FA
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/johnnychopsmusic
Image Credits
Cameron Gott, JTrevino, Brandon Aguilar
