Episode 011: Johnette Downing Interview

Johnette Downing Interview - Children’s Performer, Author and Educator:

Johnette Downing is a multi-award-winning children’s performer, early childhood educator, author and an ambassador of Louisiana Roots culture and arts around the world. She shares her heritage and passion for teaching children.

SHOW NOTES

Johnette Downing is a New Orleans multi-award winning musician, singer and author presenting Louisiana Roots concerts and author visits for children, as well as keynotes and workshops for educators globally. Dedicated to celebrating childhood, nurturing cultural exchanges and fostering literacy through her music and books, Johnette has performed in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, Central America, North America and the Caribbean. Johnette’s presentations speak to a child’s interests in an engaging, interactive, thought-provoking, educational, entertaining and culturally respectful way; earning her a reputation for being the “Musical Ambassador to Children” and the “Pied Piper of Louisiana Music Traditions.”

In this lively episode Johnette talks about her roots, her projects, her recordings, and books. Often referred to as the pied piper of Louisiana music traditions, Johnette concerts, author visits and educator workshops are now being retrofit to work live and online. I’m excited to share a peak into this artist’s work.

[01:25] We get started with a look back at how Johnette get started both as a children’s performer and as an early childhood educator.

[03:55] Johnette talks about each of her various programs and who the intended audience is for each. She shares how her early teaching experience allowed her to develop teacher workshops that brought her to 5 continents and places like Dubai, Kuwait, Singapore, Asia, South America, and Africa.

[05:10] As a multi-award-winning children’s recording artist, Johnette talks about her approach to her recordings.

[05:52] Johnette has a unique style of creating her children’s picture books. She talks about the method she uses to illustrate her books and the way she wraps Louisiana culture into each book’s theme.

[08:13] Johnette has been effective at creating partnerships with various organizations. Here she talks about one unique partnership that involves an NBA Basketball team and a Pelican.

[11:10] Louisiana is home to a Gumbo of cultures and immigrants. Johnette discusses her ancestors and background an how that influences her commitment to sharing Louisiana roots culture.

[13:06] One of Johnette’s unique partners was the Canary Island Government. She shares that experience here.

[16:50] Johnette talks about her duo project, Swamp Romp, which she performs with her Husband, Scott Billington, three-time Grammy winning producer.

[18:43] Check out a sample of this Louisiana dance party music from their Swamp Romp recording.

[21:04] The COVID-19 pandemic has forced so many artists to reimagine how they present their programs. Johnette is no exception. Here she shares her process to making her programs child-viewer friendly and her discoveries and benefits this new virtual presentation mode offered.

[25:40] Johnette offers a piece of advice to artists making the transition from live to virtual.

[29:30] Never an idle moment in Johnette’s world, so we talk about her current book project that she’s working on.

[30:50] Johnette offers artists a wonderful piece of advice to finish up our interview.

To find out more about Johnette Downing, her music, books and programs, visit the links and downloads section of these show notes.

Johnette Downing
https://JohnetteDowning.com

Join Me Next Week

Join Me Next Week when I’ll be sharing some a new set of COVID Safety must-ask questions for your presenter
if you are starting to play live gigs.

Theme Music

Thanks to Dan Crary for providing the Get Great Gigs theme music, Thunderation, and for doing the voice-over open and close to the podcast. Check out his music at DanCrary.com

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One Final Note

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, we are helping musicians one T-shirt at a time with our T-shirt and song project,
“I’m Smiling at You Behind My Mask.” A portion of every
T- Shirt sold benefits MusiCares, a Recording Academy charity to help music people in need. Go to 360smiling.com for details.