Meet Michael Johnathon

We were lucky to catch up with Michael Johnathon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I grew up in a very divided, violent, alcoholic Home. I learned at a young age to roll my own ball up the hill, very few, if anybody would be there to help me along the way.

Although I found that not to be true, as time went on, I am surrounded by good friends and a supportive community, it also helped me learn the value of fixing my goal and not giving up

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a songwriter, musician, banjo player, Martin, guitar, devotee, Log Cabin, dwelling organic gardening folksinger and a dad

I created the internationally, syndicated WoodSongs broadcast, the spinoff series of WoodSongs Kids, the national SongFarmers front porch community, the Walden play about Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, the Woody Guthrie opera, release 21 full length, albums, published and released six books, and wrote the script for the CANEY Creek motion picture

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I was Pete Seeger’s neighbor in Beacon, New York along the Hudson river, and I learned from watching him that the heart of music is not money, it is passion and good work. I learned that love is the greatest transaction of the arts.

I also learned the value of letting other people be the last stupid sound in the room. Never respond to criticism or to critics.

“fear not the words of a critic, for no one ever erected a statue in honor of one.” Johann Sibelius.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
I think three books have affected me most.

The incomplete folksinger by Pete Seeger, whet my appetite for my career choice. Seeing him in action was one thing, but reading his thoughts about what folk music is supposed to be… So unlike the me, my, I songwriter movement. It taught me the value of good work over commerce.

Walden gave me a very deep appreciation for the earth, organic lifestyles, my suspicion of the motives behind the green movement, even though I appreciate the intent. It also gave me the valuable desire for a healthy lifestyle. Because of that book, I’ve never tried drugs, I’ve never been drunk in my life and I’ve never try a cigarette

Anyone familiar with my Music work get a sense of a spiritual nature. The Bible has always been an inspirational resource more so than a religious one. I believe in a higher power, but I don’t believe in the organizations that claim to represent it. The idea of love and forgiveness, appreciation of the earth and its creation, the value of life Are very important lessons. I learn from this book.

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Image Credits
RachelAubreyMusic/BMI

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