[8] After starting his adulthood in Phoenix, his drumming career in Arizona began with local band Mo Nasty,[9] after which time he moved on to The Sammus Theory.

[5][10] In 2009, Brian "Head" Welch, the guitarist for Korn asked Johnson along with Michael Valentine (bass), Scott Von Heldt (guitar), Ralph Patlan (guitar), and Brian Ruedy (keyboards, programming) to join his up-and-coming musical ensemble.

[11] In 2011, following Pete Hawley's departure from Back from Ashes, the band recruited Johnson to play for the ensemble.

[4][12] In February 2012, Back from Ashes hired Bobby Anderson to play percussion on a long-term basis for the band.

[3] In 2014, Joe Rickard, the drummer for the Christian rock band Red,[15][16] left the group, to join Manafest as a touring drummer[17] so Johnson filled in for him on tours[18][19][20] and performed percussion on Of Beauty and Rage, the fifth studio album from the ensemble.