Wow! What a SHOCK!

It all started out on February 8. Abigail was in a piano competition she had been working towards for months. For several hours per day on most days, you could find her at the piano, tickling the ivories or blasting out the impressive sections. Today was the first big day. The Terrace Hill Piano Competition. 

 There were many GREAT pianists.

After lots of deliberation, it was announced that Abigail and one other boy were the two winners!!!

That isn't all. 

After a late-night drive home, we were up early the following morning because this time, 

both Abigail and Silas had IMTA, another piano contest. (It was Silas' first piano competition!)

Warming up...getting ready to perform....taking theory tests...performing...waiting....and waiting for the results...

When at last the results were posted, we found that Abigail and Silas were both winners in their divisions and would advance to the state competition!

At the IMTA state competition, Silas won runner up (2nd place!), and Abigail won AGAIN!

On June 2, Abigail will be performing in the IMTA Honors recital as a result of her winning in her level at the state competition.

And that is the end of the story...or maybe just the beginning.

Praise the Lord! He is so good. No matter what happens throughout our lives, good or bad, He is always with those who have trusted in Him.

You're invited!

Join us as we celebrate the high school graduation of

Luke Reuben Johnson

Friday, the 17th of May,

at our barn.

Eighth Note Acres LLC

11389 T Ave.

New Hartford, IA 50660

319-983-9127

Open House: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Short Johnson Strings Concert: 6:00 p.m.

To see more of Luke's senior pictures, visit my website: http://www.photofasttrack.com/people/seniors/ or go to http://laurasphotographyfasttrack.blogspot.com/2013/05/lukes-senior-pictures-by-cedar-falls.html and read how I created the images. 

Hope to see you there!

Rave Review of our latest CD, “Silhouette”

We were SO excited to receive the following email and review of our CD!

“Hello Johnson Strings
If you will go to the website just below this, you will see your record review as it appeared in the internet magazine "International Country Music" which emanates from Germany and goes all over Europe. Good job well done, see you”…
Bob Everhart
 “Country Music News International
Germany
RECORD REVIEW
THE JOHNSON STRINGS   Silhouette - It Is Not I That Live
La Rejouissance - Beaumont Rag - Written In Red - Dwelling In Beulah Land - There's A Peace In My Heart - The Merry Widow Waltz - We Believe - Power In The Blood - Lookin' For A City - The Old Rugged Cross - Mansion Over The Hilltop - Psalm 67 - Rock Of Ages - Gypsy Waltz - The Hallelujah Side - Fantomen - Near to The Heart Of God - This World Is Not My Home - Holy Holy Holy
This remarkable family is a wondrous musical group.  Violins, violas, upright bass, and keyboard is the majority, but expect the most remarkable sounds coming from these instruments, and much more.  "Beaumont Rag" to "Rock of Ages" is a transportation of the most remarkable kind.  Six children, a mom and a dad, make up the 'strings.'  I'm glad I had the chance to review this album when I did, because the Johnson Strings are going to make a very delightful appearance at the Oak Tree Opry in Anita, Iowa, on September 20th.  I'm also forwarding this CD to the Rural Roots Music Commission for 'instrumentalist' attention.  The entire project, and there are 19 great songs on this one, really allows the 'strings' to prevail and shine. They went to the Catamount Studios for the recording, and I have to admit this particular studio is producing some incredibly good music.  In the overall production, it's hard for me to find any negatives with a fine group like this.  I've listened to 'Beaumont Rag' played by old-time fiddlers so much, the Johnson's version seemed too slow to me.  Then I listened to it three or four more times, and the more I listened the more I liked it.  As a slower song it becomes quite beautiful.  The vocals throughout, harmony included are all wonderful presentations of a 'family' singing together, and there just isn't anyway this 'tightness' can be duplicated by the imitators.  "Old Rugged Cross" has an almost operatic approach, it is sad, deep, very classically adapted, for me it's a wonderful expression of originality.  "Gypsy Waltz" is another example of really good 'personality added' arrangement. "Fantomen" is also like this, a very beautiful 'Swedish' influence. If you've never heard the Johnson Strings, you should.  Their music is totally their own, and professionally and classically done, whether it's the Orange Blossom Special and the Beaumont Rag.....and to be sure, The Old Rugged Cross and The World Is Not My Home.
Bob Everhart, Reviewer www.ntcma.net”

 Visit http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/the-johnson-strings-silhouette-it -is.html to see the review on their website.

Thanks for the great review Bob! We appreciate it!