Beloved Dallas musician and songs label co-founder Trey Johnson dies

Beloved Dallas musician Trey Johnson, who was a founding member of rock band Sorta, died on January 31 he was 53.

A Dallas native and graduate of Greenhill University and the College of North Texas, Johnson also co-started Condition Fair Records, a Dallas songs label that produced albums by acclaimed artists these as Joshua Ray Walker, Kristy Kruger, and Eleven Hundred Springs.

Sorta was an Americana rock band that released 4 full-length documents and garnered countrywide notice when their music were being picked up for several tv series. In 2007, the band parted means just after the untimely demise of band member Carter Albrecht.

But Johnson ongoing to sing and history, like two solo albums Mount Pelée and Wherever The East Finishes on Idol Information, and most just lately an EP unveiled on Xmas Working day 2021 on Point out Truthful Records identified as Property Yet again, Dwelling Again, under the title Lewis III.

He labored as a industrial production director for 97.1 The EAGLE, and also taught tunes for many a long time at community new music college Zounds Appears.

In 2019, he and his wife Jen opened YAM Dallas, a area for yoga and the arts.

According to a family members good friend, Johnson experienced expert coronary heart complications in the past 12 months that integrated a blocked artery.

Johnson was universally beloved, and the Dallas creative community arrived out in force to mark his passing with tributes on Fb.

Radio field veteran Billy MacLeod termed him “North Texas’ very own confidante and friend to so very numerous,” stating that “his audio saved coming, but it was truly his quiet discussions and the encouragement that he gave to many others that will endure.”

Tunes photographer Jessica Waffles named him “a pillar in the neighborhood, a kind supportive soul, and a real pleased man. … So numerous people have been able to make it so far with your enable. Thank you for all the things you did. What a rockstar.”

Musician Marcus Striplin recalled a stage where he was feeling down and identified as Johnson. “Trey took my simply call on a late spring working day and just listened to me. At the time I did not recognize how significantly I required for another person to pay attention to me and possibly say ‘you’re crazy and take this function as a sign to hang it up’ or anything else. Trey informed me the a little something else. He inspired me to concentrate and to not stray from it. He was a believer in my art and he was these a type and mild human.”

Singer Becky Middleton claimed that “functioning in the studio with someone of his caliber and musicianship is constantly an honor. But to call him friend was the present. He was the kindest man or woman and leaves a lovely legacy with his loved ones and the Dallas new music scene.”

Musician and bar owner Reid Robinson explained Johnson as a “friend, father, and full course act,” contacting him “a person of the kindest, proficient, and most earnest persons all over. Beloved his massive hearty giggle, and good outlook no subject the circumstances. He reminded me of a mild lion, caring and in command.”

Musician and Eleven Hundred Springs founder Matt Hillyer said that Johnson was “one of those people folks who you just instantly felt like a kindred spirit with. He championed us and numerous others. He normally manufactured us come to feel like the most talented essential persons in the home. In fact, his very own expertise as a musician was environment course. I generally breathed much easier recognizing he was on our aspect. Apart from enterprise, he was pleasurable to hold out with and discuss to. The decline to the North Texas audio planet can not be overstated on this one. This is actually heartbreaking.”
Courtney Wright Wells, operations supervisor for State Good Documents, explained, “I never ever imagined acquiring a lover like Trey, or working with anyone that has such a real coronary heart for musicians (and all artists), the business, and selflessly, positively impacting this scene.”

Musician Mike Daane recalled meeting Trey when they were being pupils at North Texas Point out University. “So started a extensive friendship in which we would cross paths on a regular foundation in and close to the Dallas songs scene. Trey usually had a little something cooking musically and formed a lot of bands, checking out and discovering, forging his have unique style in the process. It was a take care of when our bands would share a monthly bill and I could see what he was up to. Usually engaged and in the moment, normally a constructive thing to say, often a significant hi there and a hug, often a ‘I like you Mike Daane’ when we parted. I like you far too, Trey. You are likely to be sorely skipped by all people.”

Radio individuality Josh Venable reported that “today we shed a single of the nicest imaginable. Trey Johnson was not just unbelievably proficient. Absolutely everyone who listened to him play knew that. He was also legitimate and honest and gracious.”

Vandoliers singer-guitarist Joshua Fleming claimed that Johnson “improved my lifetime, gave me the chance to pursue my dream and thought in me. I was not the only man or woman or only band. He set in so operate, so much religion in to all of us. I’m going to miss my friend so significantly. We all owe you so significantly. Thank you for supplying us a dwelling, thank you for using treatment of us.”

He is survived by his mother Betty Dicken, his wife Jen, his daughter Dylan and son Will, his sister Ginna, and his brothers James and Scott. Companies have not still been declared.