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By Daron Letts
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 19, 2009

TORONTO - Songwriter Veronica Johnny, originally of Fort Smith, is rocking Toronto this winter with her band The Johnnys.

The musicians are playing popular bars all over town, including The Hard Rock Cafe and The Rock Boutique, where musicians like former Kiss demon Gene Simmons play from time to time.

Veronica Johnny, originally of Fort Smith, performs on stage at Toronto's Revival Theatre last November alongside bassist Frank E. Carbona and the rest of The Johnnys. - photo courtesy of Victoria Vaughn

Johnnys links The Johnnys official website Video of the band in action Myspace page Facebook page Buy the CD

The Johnnys' audience extends far beyond the dynamic live music scene in Canada's largest city, however.

A concert at Toronto's Revival Theatre last November featured the band at the end of a long line-up of professional aboriginal acts, including rapper Plex, Jason Burnstick, Sierra Noble, Mark Nadjiwan and a surprise guest appearance by Canadian recording artist Bruce Cockburn.

"We closed the show," Johnny said. "Woo-hoo."

Billed as Larger Than Life: A Celebration of Canadian Aboriginal Talent, the performances are being broadcast onto movie screens in more than 40 cities across the country later this month.

"It's a really nice stage and a great room with dark walls and huge dark curtains, a huge dance floor and high ceilings," Johnny said of the storied West College Street venue. "Great acoustics, very classy and a great energy."

The concert footage includes pre-show interviews with Johnny and her bandmates as the musicians set up the stage during sound check.

"I've basically decided to make the camera my friend," she explained. "When I sing in front of a camera and look into the camera I'm reaching out to my audience. It's all about connecting for me."

The Johnnys are building momentum with a stream of gigs in the lead up to their soon-to-be -released second album, tentatively-titled Louder, Faster, More Fun.

"I'm totally driven to do well so that I can inspire the youth of the North," Johnny said. "I'm thinking about my community. I'm from a small town. I grew up in a poor family. If I can learn to play guitar and if I can sing then anybody can do it."

Johnny led several workshops for young women guitarists and songwriters in the NWT last summer. She is returning to the North for the broadcast of the November concert at Capitol Theatre in Yellowknife on Jan. 28. The Johnnys are also scheduled to perform at Northern Arts and Cultural Centre on Jan. 29 as part of the Northern Performer Festival along with some gigs at a local downtown club.

"I'm driven to live my dream so I can show people that they can live their dream, too," Johnny said.

On Jan. 29, The Johnnys are scheduled to perform live on CBC North's afternoon radio program Trail's End with host Norbert Poitras.