He has played all over. He’s a great singer and percussionist who has worked with Alligator recording artists like Koko Taylor, Lil’ Ed, just t name a few.

Arnold Johnson aka AJ Johnson was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For over seventy years some form of music has always been in his life (Blues, Rock, and Gospel). Church is where he started and fell in love with music. He is the grandson of a preacher’s daughter. Born Sagittarius music and creativity is his gift.

As he got older, he joined several music entities. He joined his church choir, elementary choir, and high school choir. He even joined community groups with other people that furthered his desire to make music.

He got his first taste when he took a road trip to Memphis, Tennessee to audition as a songwriter and musician at Stax Records. Little did he know they were about to close. The distribution deal with CBS collapsed in 1972 and the label had songs and knew how to distribute them. With the bankruptcy and the death of their top performer they closed.

Stax was where he wanted to be but decided to just come back home. He began to play with local R&B bands and Blues groups. He was also a member of A.S.C.A.P.

AJ worked with the Septimas Band, who had connections with Earth, Wind, and Fire (R&B, Pop, and Jazz). Then he worked with The Brownston Blues Show. With The Brownston Blues Show, they worked with Alligator Records doing front acts opening for Albert Collins, KoKo Taylor, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Pinetop Perkins and many others. After Brownston, he formed Clean Slate and then AJ Johnson and the Why Not Band.

Nowadays, he just performs back at his church home.