Think Miranda Lambert meets Sheryl Crow with a touch of Brandi Carlisle, and you’ve got KC Johns, with a voice all her own, tied tight around songs that make you feel like you’ve known her forever. With deep roots in the blues capital of the world, KC grew up in Memphis, where she was baptized in soul and fell hard for the stage, the spotlight, and songs that make the world go ‘round.
KC makes a strong statement kicking off 2022 with the release of ‘Confused’ a musical ode to the conflicted feelings many people experience while holding relationships together. A fervent blend of determination, frustration and emotional vulnerability, ‘Confused’ is Johns’ most recent collaboration with GRAMMY-nominated producer and songwriter Billy Smiley (WhiteHeart, Johnny Cash, and Petra). Her 2021 Christmas release, ‘Please Come Home for Christmas,’ was released to domestic and international country radio and was the most-streamed Play MPE country song for the week of December 13, 2021.
“With Billy, I have met someone who seems to really understand the rawness and the restlessness in my soul, and that made a huge difference in recording ‘Confused,’” says KC of Smiley and this latest artistic endeavor. “We have so much fun in the studio working with some of the best musicians in Nashville.”
“When writing this song during the pandemic with Tim Angsten and Tim Baumgartner, these lyrics just flowed as we were discussing relationships and some of the tough times people were going through. Couples were faced with spending loads of time together during 2020 and 2021, which put lots of relationships to the test. ‘Confused’ is a song that we all felt everyone could relate to. The line, ‘Sitting on the kitchen floor, I hear you through the bedroom door, talking me down to your mother…’ puts you right in the moment of where one half of that couple is. I hope people are moved by the lyrics as much as we were moved while writing this song,” reflects KC.
Recorded at the legendary Sound Kitchen Studios in Franklin, TN, ‘Confused’ proved the creative process was as revelatory as it was fun for KC and Billy. The end result is the most recent reflection of an artist who knows who she is, what she wants to say, and is continually finding the best way to say it.
“2022 promises to be a breakout year for KC with new songs and videos already in the works,” says Smiley.
KC will be pursuing an aggressive touring schedule in 2022 with stage shows, casinos, festivals, clubs, and international dates already filling her touring calendar. Find the latest on KC Johns’ music, media, merchandise and tour dates at kcjohns.rocks