He has produced, or mixed, albums and tracks for artists such as Gov't Mule, Warren Haynes, The Glorious Sons, Taj Mahal, Bushwick Bill, Toots Hibbert, Sarah Slean, The Trews, Joel Plaskett Emergency, The Respectables, Tim Chaisson, Len, Reel Big Fish, Chris Duarte, Caroline Neron, Meredith Shaw, as well as playing and/or recording with Chris Robinson, Rich Robinson, Colin James, Default, Honky, Len, Molly Johnson, Jonny Lang and Double Trouble, Ashley MacIsaac, the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir, and Big Rude Jake.

Johnson was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, of Ukrainian descent,[3] and grew up in Windsor, Ontario, starting his professional music career while still in high school as he frequently crossed the river to play in Detroit, Michigan.

[citation needed] Critical acclaim accompanied the release of a one season "GJ in the SoundShack" series on YouTube that saw Gordie Johnson in a weekly episode talking (and occasionally performing) about a myriad of topics from songwriting to recording to a detailed look at equipment he uses.

[citation needed] As the world opened up again, "One Man Big Sugar Show- The Acoustical Sounds of Gordie Johnson" started touring and brought his massive, well known and highly influential songbook to life with an acoustic performance drenched in blues and folk music that inspired Johnson's Big Sugar catalogue.

A renewed Big Sugar also includes former tour mates drummer Joe Magistro (Black Crowes, B52s) and Scandinavian indie rock phenom keyboardist Kat Ottosen.

[citation needed] Johnson has earned numerous gold and platinum records with his band Big Sugar and as producer or musician with such acts as The Trews and Default.

Hard Rock Café Hotel & Casino created a Gordie Johnson display in the Vancouver, Canada location for its opening in 2013 that featured the "SGJ".