If coffee tables count, country-rock artist KC Johns has been rocking the stage since age three. As someone who grew up listening to Led Zeppelin, their music has been a staple on the stages where KC has performed as long as she can remember. Back when she sang on cruise ships, “Black Dog” was always her favorite cover to perform live; her love for it has only grown with time. Set to release January 22, 2021 with a music video to follow on January 29, 2021, KC Johns’s country-rock version of “Black Dog” reminds us that rock is probably the most mainstream form of music still out there, all the way from Elvis to the Beatles, to Zep and then onto Aerosmith, from U2 to Nirvana, to this generation!
“I honestly want people to feel inspired, excited and wanting to move, groove, and dance,” KC Johns exclaims. “This tune has such a great groove to it. If people feel excited about it, that will make me extremely happy.”
As someone who owns all of Led Zeppelin’s records, she counts “Black Dog” a classic. As she has been working on a full album, she’s excited to have this song included, paying homage to her own music history. Originally written by Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, KC Johns’ version of “Black Dog” was produced and arranged by Billy Smiley of Northern Shore Productions; the track features KC Johns on Lead Vocals, Brennan Smiley (The Technicolors) on Guitar, Mark Hill on Bass, Shea Henley on Drums, Blair Masters (Garth Brooks) on Drum Programming and B3, Josh Matheny (Carly Pierce) on Lap Steel, Mixing by Mark Needham (The Killers, Fleetwood Mac), and the Music Videos by Jake Taylor (Jack of All Trades Productions), all under record label Music City Collective (Southern Skye Records).
To date, KC Johns’ music journey has taken her all over the world, performing on stages of every kind. From cruise ships singing in every port in the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and to countries east; to being featured in Dolly Parton’s ‘Christmas Coat of Many Colors’, and opening for artists like Luke Bryan, Chris Young, Randy Houser, and Trailer Choir, she recently met up with Grammy nominated songwriter and producer Billy Smiley (WhiteHeart, Johnny Cash, and Petra) to create and develop the sound she had been waiting for. She is currently writing with Smiley and several top songwriters in Nashville. Following “Black Dog,” KC Johns will release a ballad over Valentine’s Day as well as another single, leading to the release of her full record in April 2021.
With live show dates already on the books, KC Johns can’t wait to perform for your venue and city, and join her on this classic rendition of this timeless song in person. To catch a glimpse of the same energy she brings to the stage, don’t miss “Black Dog” – make sure to remember the lineage of music and rock along when you do!
