If you’re a violinist or a cellist in the Bristol / Bath area I want to hear from you! Particularly if you’re willing to set aside a few hours to come into the studio & put down some tracks on my album. . . So get in touch and we’ll talk deal ~

Last week I played my first House-Gig for some lovely people in Bristol and it went really well. It also opened my eyes to new possibilities and made me realise how inaccessible the gig scene can be for many people.

So I want to do more of this: and you can help.

The idea is for me to turn up at your home, plonk myself down on your sofa - or however you want to do it - and, well, do my thing. Just like I would at a gig, but in the convenience & comfort of your home instead.

These types of gigs can be of particular benefit to the ill, the disabled or anyone who appreciates live music but, for whatever reason, finds it tricky getting to gigs.

It may help you to know I am also fully police-checked so I won’t run off with the silver!

If any of you reading this want to know more, please get in touch via the CONTACT page and I’ll send you the full run-down of how this works.

Bj

Just a quick reminder that I’m playing this Sunday (27th) at The Priory Inn, Tetbury again… I get to play for about 2hrs so it’s well worth coming along … Free on the door, good stuff at the bar and the amazingist pizza!! Be nice to see some folks there Bring some sunshine with you…

Bj

I want to thank Dave & Sophie, and also Silas on sound for last night’s gig at the Thunderbolt … I really enjoyed it guys, I hope you did too. Thank you also to the people on my mailing list who did turn up - I’m sorry I don’t know you all to talk to, but I know you when I see you! … And also extra special thanks to the people who came up to me afterwards to say how much they enjoyed my set!! That really means a lot … and if you’re reading this then you went home and checked me out online which is great! I hope I see you again sometime … hopefully at the Thunderbolt! … and to the CD buyers: I hope you like it! Stay posted, because I’m recording more all the time … Benita

And not just any boat, sailor - it’s the John Sebastian Lightship! And what is that? Simple answer: I dunno. My best guess is that it’s some kind of mobile marine lighthouse - which defies the object surely? Why would you have a ship that’s a lighthouse? …. “hey look! there’s a rock over here! …… no over here! …. no now it’s over here! keep up!@@~?:@^&**”

… which I suppose is why it’s now securely moored and being used as a live music venue … well, at least it should be easy to find! It’s address is: Bathurst Basin, Bathurst Parade, Bristol. Not helping much? It’s between the Louisiana and the Ostrich pubs. Still no help? Go here : http://www.bristolbands.com/VenueDetail.php?venue=VLBS0000252 

I’m playing there THIS FRIDAY (30TH MAY) between 8:30 - 9pm. Yes, I know - but it’s worth it as there’s some great acts on display, and I’m just plugging a gap for the promoter last minute. The bill is:

BENITA JOHNSON / AMELIA TUCKER / JACK BIRD / CATHERINE & THE OWL

For a sneak preview and more helpful details I suggest you go to http://www.myspace.com/BristolBands.com

Thank you again to the gang for turning out to see me last night! Hope you enjoyed it - what did I tell you about the pizza!? I appreciate the efforts you went to - it’s a bit of a trek for some of you - and I didn’t get to talk properly to everyone as I didn’t have much time - sorry folks … next weeks gig will be a different story (don’t forget - change of venue - it’s now at the Full Moon) … Take care x

Gig tonight at the Priory Inn (see “Gigs” page for map) … really looking forward to this these guys love to have me play there - and, well I just love to play! … It also marks the end of my involvement with Highnote Music Management which hasn’t exactly been an earth-shatteringly productive association, leaving me free now to carve my own way ahead in terms of live work - or possibly take up with some other management company … either way, gigs at the Priory will continue, which is great news

IMPORTANT LATE CHANGE: folks, there’s been a change for my other up-coming gig this month :  18th May @ Tao Bar IS NOW 18th May @ THE FULL MOON, Stokes Croft, Bristol … new details appearing on gigs page shortly… sorry if this causes confusion - it was a promoters decision and nothing I could do much about, but Rachel who promotes the night is very reasonable & has really tried to make sure this is a positive shift - which I am convinced it will be! There will be an addition to the bill, with AMY HAZEL (aka Amy Parkhouse) also playing in support - well worth a listen, let me tell you! … Please make sure that if you have told other people about this event, that they now know about this change - I would hate for people to make the effort to turn out to see us & not be able to find us!! Any of you who are regular Mailing Listers will receive notice of this change. It’s too late to replace the posters that have already gone up - but we’ll do what we can - and there’ll be a proper press release to make sure as many people know as possible … fingers crossed!! … it’s gonna be FAB tho - be a shame to miss it xx

Massive thanks to Karen, Coops, Sam, Ray… and the whole gang who turned up to see me play last night at the Mayors Arms (you have been named & shamed!!). Especially since you were all apparently labouring under some form of illness or other! You may not realise it, but it makes a huge difference to me & my performance to be so well supported - so THANK YOU. I think we all agree it was a terrific night … I hope you all get well soon x

Thanks also to Elliot Hall & Moussa Kouyate for doing such a great job in support, and also to Helen at Highnote for putting the night on.

Well after many initial mishaps here it is! The official Benita Johnson website! (The Singer-Songwriter - not the marathon runner … you wouldn’t even catch me running for the bus x… And much thanks to the guys at Studio Eighty-Six for their design skills and exemplary forbearance… We’ve only just gone live - for real - so now you’ve found us, take some time to browse & see all that the site has to offer. If you come across any flaws or annoyances - or are in any way confused & befuddled by anything you find - then please make contact. We will do all we can to make it better. And THANK YOU for stopping by. We hope that you will Bookmark us & come again soon. B. x