Maple Ridge siblings Trent and Brett Johnson know it’s essential for budding musicians to have a platform.
They’ve been playing in country bars since they were 15.
“Trent and I remember going to the country jam at the old Maple Ridge Hotel every Sunday and that jam helped and allowed us to learn and grow as musicians,” said Brett Johnson.
By the time, the brothers hit 20, they had played every country bar in the Fraser Valley, creating an energetic and popular live show that features songs by legends like Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings, as well as contemporary artists like Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban.
The Johnson Brothers are now returning the favour by hosting a weekly jam every Sunday at the Mission Springs Pub.
“We are hoping that this jam at Mission Springs will give an opportunity to musicians and singers just starting out and give them a place to play in front of a crowd and get their feet wet playing in an establishment,” he added.
The weekly jam is informal. Johnson says you can bring your own instrument, sing or play with the band. Everyone who jams receives a free beverage ticket.
The Johnson Brothers released their first album, titled Burnin Diesel, in 2011 and hope to have a single ready for radio release in early 2014. They are heading to Banff in a few weeks to play Wild Bills.
• The Sunday Country Jam with The Johnson Brothers takes place every Sunday from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Mission Springs Pub, 7160 Oliver Street in Mission.