[1] He, along with Emory Lester was nominated by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) for a 2007 Instrumental Album of the Year award.

[6] Johnson moved to Crystal River, FL in 1981 to work as a contract Health Physics Technician at a local electric utility.

[7] The Rice family included him in their musical activities, where Johnson began to apply and adjust his clawhammer banjo techniques to work in bluegrass and duet playing ensembles.

It was during this time that Tony Rice taught Johnson critical techniques in performance art, writing, creating music and recording.

[5] In 2012, while working during the week as emergency management director in Florida, Johnson was presented with the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.