The Legend of Alan Johnson

I first met Alan Johnson about seven years ago, yet it seems like a lifetime.  At the time he was running a group The Poets Attic. The name later changed to The Poets Narrative and now the newest is Trending Poets!  I was an admin with Alan Johnson, the founder of the group. The name will continue in honor of Alan as he was most pleased with the name as it represents popularity!

Alan Johnson is an iconic man in the community of poets worldwide. He was known for his excellence in narrating poetry like no other and producing videos with his music put to them each individually. He also had the voice of an Angel. Alan was ardent in the realm of poetry and believed above all poets should be promoted. He provided a platform for this on YouTube and SoundCloud as well as on the Facebook group Trending Poets.  Alan would often read poetry and seek different poets out and a few he admired he would set in motion a production to last a lifetime. He was received in the poetry world with great love and respect for his giving and kind nature as well as his compelling story about his childhood. He was a master at the piano, often writing his music and songs. He more recently started exploring his writing as a poet.

Alan would always state “I’m not a poet,“ yet the few poems we were privileged to hear said otherwise. His favorite saying was “It’s not about me!” He often refused to take any credit for the productions of narrated poetry saying just that! He was here to help promote poets providing a most appealing platform for them. While he did do a few poetry narrations without charge he would charge a nominal fee for his creations, always saying the music that went with the poem belonged to the poet. He then donated many of these funds to a charity. He had shown his great love for poetry time and time again.

I am blessed with a CD of my Spiritual poetry narrated by Alan Johnson called Words of Reflection. I’m sure he very well may have done some for others but not to my knowledge. I gave most of the CDs I ordered from him away to family and friends and took many to my local church to be handed out. Most of my poems on the CD were Spiritual. Once my church played one of his YouTube videos at church on the big screen to the congregation. They were in awe of the profound effect it leaves you with and the high professional job and hard work it took to make each one of them. So many years ago when I first heard Alan Johnson voice recorded narration of Susan Joyner Strumph’s poem, I fell in love with his voice. I asked her to introduce me to him and well, the rest is history. We became great friends, and he asked me to be his admin on his group.

When he knew he was passing away he passed the baton onto me to carry on with the group Trending Poets on Facebook. I have added his sons Benn Johnson and Marty Johnsy to be admin with me as well as Annette Tarpley founder of Passion of Poetry has now joined us as well. In anticipation of growth in the group and submissions, I have also added eight moderators. Michael Dulake, Sai Prakash,  Paul Williams, Tulika Dugar, Susan Worrall, Zan Johns,  Stuart Dann, and Eureka Robey. They all honor Alan in accepting these roles.  Last but not least I’d like to mention the great love Alan had for his family and his faithful companion Willow. He often took Willow on walks in the meadow sharing videos of this with us. We grew to love those walks in the lush green meadow with them.

A little about Alan from his sons:

In the symphony of my life, there’s a key figure who orchestrated the melody of my musical journey –  My dad, Alan Johnson. He didn’t just teach me the piano, he gifted me the artistry that flows through my fingertips shaping the very essence of my being.

My dad with his patient guidance and unwavering support became the maestro of my musical education. From the tender age of 3  when my fingers first stumbled upon the ivory keys, he was there cultivating a passion that would resonate throughout the years. His commitment to my musical growth was more than lessons, it was a harmonious bond lasting a lifetime.

I vividly remember the cadence of his voice as he explained the nuances of each note, imparting not just technical skills but a deep appreciation for the language of music.  His dedication was palpable, and it ignited a flame within me that would fuel countless hours of practice and exploration.

My dad gave me more than just lessons. He bestowed upon me what he affectionately called “Piano hands.” It wasn’t just about mastering scales and arpeggios,  it was about understanding the delicacy and strength required to breathe life into the music. My piano hands, A gift from my dad, became an extension of him translating feelings into melodies that words could not express.

My dad often said that each piece of music was a story waiting to be told, and my hands were the storytellers.

©Marty Johnsy

My Dad, Alan Johnson. I could write for days how much he meant to me. He was the most selfless, caring individual you could ever have met. He adored his family and would do anything for us. Always worked extremely hard throughout his life to make sure there was food on the table, and to take us away on holidays every year. He was unbelievable and I will miss him, always! One thing my dad wouldn’t want those who knew him to be is morbid, down in the dumps, and more so, Cry for him. He would want us all to carry on, be happy, and live life to the fullest. My dad’s creativity he has left on this earth will live on and will be cherished by us all. He was an amazing Pianist, Music Creator, and Narrator. All these were his hobbies and never wanted them to go any further as doing these things made him happy knowing it was making others happy also. To the poetry world from the Johnsons, I Thank you all for being part of my dad’s life and being involved in his creative world. The support you have shown me and my family has been amazing! We couldn’t thank you enough. Forever write your poems and if you’re ever stuck looking at that blank page, Just think of my Dad, Alan.

His Son, © Ben Johnson.