local storiesSeptember 2, 2024

Daily Inspiration: Meet Eric Johnson

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Johnson

Hi Eric, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My songwriting partner (Danny “Jay” Jacobson) and I had been in LA for many years as artists and writers but moved back to Chicago temporarily in 2017. That year we traveled to Nashville to work with an award winning producer who’s had over 31 #1 hits and he introduced us to his camp. It was an amazing experience and when we really unpacked in Chicago, we wanted to turn a new leaf and start fresh. We were burnt out of the artist thing and wanted to find a way to help others who were younger but just as hungry. The industry has changed drastically over the years and record labels are no longer developing artists the way they did back in the day. We felt there was a huge void that could be filled and one of the reasons why music is struggling now. So we turned it into an opportunity to start our own Artist Development division, Ni Music Group. Standing for “Nothing’s Impossible.”

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s never a smooth road. Things were very slow to begin with and then of course 2020 hit. The world shut down. No more shows. So we had to really find a way to keep going and not lose steam. But it’s been great and really fulfilling to discover and work with aspiring, young singers and songwriters. They remind us of how we were when we first started out. I wish someone had taken me under their wing early on to help me navigate it all. That’s our mission statement really.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
So what we do is find unsigned talent and help to develop them and their music from conception to release and beyond. Sometimes it’s in-person songwriting sessions or a mix of artist and my staff songwriter/creative director and producer. We work with the artist to hone their sound and voice as much as we work for them. As we all know, it takes a lot to be successful in the music industry and it’s not all about “going viral.” Sure, that will get you traction but if you’re not prepared and don’t have enough music, you’ll ultimately fall back down to earth. We like to say we help an artist find their wings, spread them and make that jump. Then it’s up to them to fly. We also offer online songwriting courses via Zoom that are interactive and educational. We’re most proud of all the people we’ve helped along the way who started with nothing more than a goal or a dream to now having a great product they can share with the world. We’ve also landed a bunch of sync placements on film and tv and were instrumental in getting an early artist of ours signed to a major record label.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
One of my biggest mentors was the late Dick Kline. We met at a famous karaoke bar called “Dimples” in Burbank, CA many years ago. He had worked as a radio promoter at a major record label in the 70’s and loved my band at the time. He always pushed me to get on the business side of things and make sure that was handled properly. A very smart man who will be missed dearly.

I have recently reconnected and teamed up with Grammy nominated songwriter, and producer Aben Eubanks. Aben was a big part of our careers early on and was the first major producer who cut an EP for us when we were first signed as artists early in our careers.

Aben has supported the team lending his expertise, focusing on helping our more advanced talent transition from independent to major.

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