Johnson was with Crowe during roughly the same time frame as Keith Whitley, with Steve Bryant on bass. He was, and is, a strong tenor singer memorable for his trios with Whitley and Crowe.
Needless to say, Chris is plenty excited about this opportunity.
“It’s an honor to even be considered, though I pray that Gene will be back even sooner than expected.”
He tells us that the opportunity came his way by a circuitous route. Johnson asked John Cowan to suggest a mandolinist who was a good high tenor singer, and who would be free for a summer tour. Cowan in turn asked Nashville fiddler/singer Aaron Till, who asked his friend Lorie Davis.
Lorie, who is a popular bartender in Nashville – and Chris’ sister – quickly suggested him for the gig.
“Gene called a few days ago and left a message. I was completely overwhelmed. I’ve been doing this for so long – since I was 15 – and I was so proud to hear his message asking me about filling in.”
Davis will be covering 18 dates over 3 months, traveling in a style few bluegrass artists will be accustomed to, with an instrument tech to tune and set up his mandolin on the road.
Congratulations Chris, and best wishes for a quick recovery to Gene!
