Singing cowboys have hypnotized the masses throughout the ages from Gene Autry to Roy Rogers. The allure of a man on a horse singing a tune to quiet the herd beckons the romantic in us all. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo has its own mysterious cowboys, a singing cowboy in particular.
Howard Johnson may not strum his guitar while riding a trusty steed through a herd of cattle; however, he is a champion cowboy. From the time he was a young boy, two things tugged at his gut, music and riding horses. Johnsons's uncle was a landscape designer for the affluent polo fields in the horse country of Palm Beach, Calif. A unique advantage that sparked a way of life; his parents sent the ten-year old with his uncle throughout the long summer days. "I was hooked." Howard said, "My uncle put me on those polo horses and I loved riding every minute I could." The seed was planted.
While growing up Howard continued to ride. Learning to ride polo horses insured excellent balance and the desire for speed, which he discovered a taste for in the sport of rodeo. The cat-like maneuvers of the polo horses also instilled an appreciation of the sport of cutting. Remaining loyal to his love for riding and equine sporting events Howard married Judy. The couple raises three daughters Jordan, Chloe, and Zenobiah, all born with a passion for horses and riding.
Continuing to ride cutting and polo horses while living in Burbank, Calif with his wife and kids, horses became a permanent fixture in their lives. A natural progression for Johnson to try his hand at roping it was then that song and horses merged in Johnson's life. On a six-hour drive to a Bill Pickett rodeo in Sacramento, Johnson decided his long-time friend and owner of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Association Lu Vason needed a theme song for his all black rodeo tour, which honors the legendary Bill Pickett.
In 1993, with his wife Judy behind the wheel of the truck Howard strummed out the words and the tune to the Bill Pickett theme song. Now played and performed at the BPIR rodeos often by Howard himself. "On the way there I told my wife, 'I should create a song and surprise Lu," Howard said. It was his second trip to a BPIR rodeo but he had been monumentally inspired by "the legacy of that name" as Howard said, speaking of black cowboy Bill Pickett.
Johnson's love for horses and equine sports continued as did his music career. In 1979, he and his top hit group Nite Flyte recorded the successful "If You Want It." Then in 1982 Howard Johnson went solo with "So Fine" on the album "Packed and Waiting" which he recorded as Johnson and Branson in the U.K. at number 1 for 9 and a half weeks.
A prolific songwriter, Johnson has written such songs as "I Get Around" performed by Tupoc. He also wrote and produced "Put Me In Your Mix" for the legendary Barry White. "I Don't Think So," a Tom Jones hit is also written by Johnson as is "Human Nature" released by Pop Icon Madonna. Howard also has his songwriting signature on songs recorded by Boyz To Men.
Now at 47 and 3 children later the creative over-achiever continues to write and perform songs, team rope and calf rope, ride polo and cutting horses and still study for his fourth year of medical school. He makes 40 rodeos a year and you can see him Ohio at the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo up in calf roping.
The BPIR tour holds a special bond with Johnson. "This tour helps continue to educate the importance of black cowboys and what they represent to the kids." Howard said, "Not only rodeo but the Bill Pickett rodeo, its message, and the awareness created from it helps build character in young kids, it informs the audience about black history and the black cowboy, and it is entertaining to boot." Howard Johnson and the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo tour, both the entire package.
