They specialize in maritime music [1] and perform songs from a melange of cultures including the United States, Britain, Ireland, Italy French-Canada, and the Caribbean.
Named after a traditional African-American sea shanty (maritime work song), "The Johnson Girls," they formed as a quintet in 1997.
The original members were Joy Bennett, Maggie Bye, Alison Kelley, Bonnie Milner, and Deirdre Murtha.
Each of The Johnson Girls is also a member of the official maritime group of South Street Seaport Museum, The New York Packet.
Pete Seeger was blown away when he heard The Johnson Girls at the Ships to Save the Waters Concert (June 30, 2000), saying, "I didn't know women could sing like that!"