Danielle Johnson - "Let It Be You"; Tremendously Talented Country-Pop Singer and Songwriter Makes Her Long Awaited Debut, EP Due October 3rd


Photos courtesy of Iconique Music Group

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Danielle Johnson has been waiting all her life for this moment. The pieces began to fall into place about four years ago, according to producer Guy Eckstine. That's when a chance meeting occurred and he signed Johnson to his Iconique Music Group for development. Since that time, they have been doing all the leg work and the heavy lifting... and it shows (see Danielle's story, below).

"Let It Be You" is Danielle Johnson's debut single and video and they have finally been unleashed to the world. Johnson's voice literally jumps out of the mix fresh, new, and totally self-assured. Hearing it for the first time, it sounds more like the work of a seasoned pro than an eighteen year old making her recording debut.

The record sounds great, too, with a rock solid rhythm section and resplendent guitars, including a sizzling solo. And then, above it all, that sweet voice; like a breathe of fresh air coming out of the speakers.

I had the pleasure of hearing a preview of the rest of Johnson's EP and I must say that the comments above apply to all five tracks (with the addition of some well played keyboards). The EP is due for release on October 3rd.

I really like that Johnson is co-writing her own material. It not only personalizes her songs but it allows them to do what country music does best, take a slice of life and turn it into a song.

These five tracks from Danielle Johnson positively sparkle with the optimism of youth. It doesn't matter how old you are, when you listen to these songs you can't help but feel young. This is an EP that's easy to love, and I am looking forward to the day that she makes a full length album.



Personnel -
Danielle Johnson: Lead and Backing Vocals
Jerry Roe: Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming
Eli Beaird: Electric Bass
Larry Beaird: Acoustic Guitar
Troy Lancaster: Electric Guitar
Justin Schipper: Pedal Steel Guitar
Jimmy Nichols: Keyboards

Guy Eckstine (Iconique Music Group) - Producer
Brian Harstine (Liquid Crystal Productions) - Video director
Recorded and Mixed at Beaird Music Group, Nashville, TN
Jim DeBlanc: Recording Engineer
Mixed by: Rob Lane & Guy Eckstine
Mastered by: Scott Hull @ Masterdisk, NYC



Songwriters:
Danielle Johnson
Jennifer Denmark (Kelsea Ballerini)
Brianna Tyson

Lyrics:
(Verse)
Hey boy, you look so fine
I’ve looked in your eyes a million times
But not like this
So, what gives?
Don’t even know what changed
But didn’t mean to start feeling things
But if have to

(Chorus)
So let it be you
Who gets my head all crazy
Stealing every breath before I take it
Wrecking every plan that I’ve been making
I’m just saying…
Ooh, somebody’s gonna have to do it
Open my heart, and show me how to use it
If anybody’s ever gonna be the one to give to
Let it be you

(Verse)
Yeah boy, it’s quite the stretch to think out of all the boys I’ve met
That you and me are meant to be
They say you know when you know
But I wouldn’t know cause I’ve never known
What love feels like
But this feels right

(Chorus)
So let it be you
Who gets my head all crazy
Stealing every breath before I take it
Wrecking every plan that I’ve been making
I’m just saying…
Ooh, somebody’s gonna have to do it
Open my heart, and show me how to use it
If anybody’s ever gonna be the one to give to
Let it be you

(Chorus)
So let it be you
Who gets my head all crazy
Stealing every breath before I take it
Wrecking every plan that I’ve been making
I’m just saying…
Ooh, somebody’s gonna have to do it
Open my heart, and show me how to use it
If anybody’s ever gonna be the one to give to
Let it be you

(Chorus)
Let it be you
Who gets my head all crazy
Stealing every breath before I take it
Wrecking every plan that I’ve been making
I’m just saying…
Ooh, somebody’s gonna have to do it
Open my heart, and show me how to use it
If anybody’s ever gonna be the one to give to

Let it be you
Bonus Video:



Danielle's Story: (Iconique Music Group)
A star on the rise: Danielle has grown into a very talented, disciplined and hard working recording artist. I could not ask for anything more and she has put in the work that it takes to succeed in the rough and tumble music business. I brainstormed over a creative development plan for Danielle, and in 2014 she initially sang on other songwriter’s demos in order to introduce her to the Nashville music scene. Now 4 years later we have recorded almost 40 songs in total. In 2016-18 she’s recorded 25 songs co-written by Danielle with our fantastic and supportive team of tunesmiths including, Phil Galdston, Jennifer Denmark, Mike Dekle, Dave Brainard, Michael Hunter Ochs, Diana Extein, Keesy Timmer, Rachel Farley, Lacy Green, Doug Johnson and Bruce Wallace. The results are excellent.

A Warsaw, North Carolina native (now residing in Nashville), Danielle was born to sing. By happenstance in NYC, I met Danielle (then 14) with her parents at a mastering session for another artist at Masterdisk in NYC, which shared the lobby with Chris Rock’s production company. Having already appeared on Broadway as an actress in “The Grinch That Stole Christmas,” and singing the National Anthem at many major NASCAR races, Danielle was in NYC to audition for Rock, and the numerous gold and platinum records on Masterdisk’s walls caught her attention. She told me that yes, she was an actress but her true passion was country music, and as a result we embarked upon an artist development program for the past 4 years with her parents blessing. - Guy Eckstine
Danielle Johnson's Website
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