An Exclusive LIFE & STYLE Interview
H IGH NOTES, with AWARD -WINNING MUS I C I AN: Johnny Reid
Q: Johnny, you are amazing! You’re a multi-Juno and Canadian Country Music Association award winner, multi-platinum artist in Canada AND you have had multiple sold out tours. You’ve hit all the high notes! Is there anything else you dream of? I’ve recently completed a musical I’ve called, “My Bonnie Lass,” written as a dedication to my late granny, Margaret Reid. It’s a piece celebrating her life and the overall strength of women–especially women of that time period. I’d like to see her life story performed on stage in the near future. As far as long-term goals, I pray for good health and continued opportunities to sing my songs, play my music and tell my stories. Q: With all your success, how do you stay so grounded and humble? I was told a long time ago to always keep my feet on the ground because it’s hard to fall off of the floor. I come from a very humble background where people are judged on character and kindness. I’ve never thought of myself or viewed myself as anything better than anyone else and it’s been the key to my success. Q: Your new album “Revival” is now available! What does your latest release mean to you? This album is steeped in influences from my childhood. I grew up listening to my mother’s old soul records and my dad’s old Memphis country records. It’s an album I’ve always wanted to make and I’m very excited to let everyone hear it. It was recorded live over a two-day period and because of that, it has a soulfulness that I’ve never been able to capture before. I also feel it’s a true reflection of my growth as an artist and songwriter.
Q: This has been a milestone year for Canada. What has Canada’s 150th birthday meant to you? What Canada means to me cannot be put into words. She has given me more than anyone will ever know and I will forever be indebted to her for all the gifts and opportunities she has given. The 150th celebration was an opportunity for me, like millions of other Canadians, to celebrate our home and native land and to show the rest of the world how it should be done. Q: Tell us about your personal style. Do you like to dress up for holiday celebrations? Do you keep it casual when you’re spending time with the family? Do you have a favourite ‘look’? My favourite look is a pair of shorts, flip flops and a hoodie. Unfortunately, I don’t get much time to enjoy that look. I like keeping it simple and comfortable for the most part. However, on stage I like to get dressed and present myself and my band as entertainers. I like a fitted suit and a great pair of shoes. It’s either one or the other for me. I’m either Dad, Johnny Reid or somewhere in between with my style. Q: With four kids, the holidays must be an extra special time of the year for you and your wife. Do you have any holiday traditions? The biggest tradition for us is to all be together Christmas Eve. We let the kids open up a gift, we eat, sing and talk about Christmases past, and the ones we have lost to time. We celebrate the season and the true meaning of it. Christmas is truly a gift and my favourite time of year. We always make a traditional Scottish meal called Stovies on Christmas Eve and from time to time have friends swing in for a wee dram.
On Instagram follow: @JohnnyReidOfficial and @TheRealHouseWifeOfJohnnyReid
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