The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/107941
A-8 Wednesday, February 6, 2013 The Press-Dispatch Soil and Water Conservation District meeting Johnson to release gospel CD By Alden Heuring Petersburg resident Mandy Johnson, the 16-year-old daughter of Abundant Life Pentecostal church pastor Troy Johnson, is recording a gospel album for release this spring. Even as a junior in high school, Johnson is a veteran performer. She has performed music at her church almost since she could talk. "We have a video of my dad having me up on Easter singing with the little kids when I was two or three," she said. "I've always sang. I've led worship service every Sunday, just about. I lead the kid's choir at church." In addition to singing, Johnson also performs standup comedy, under the stage name "Mandela Johanson. "I've been doing that since I was 12, I think," she said. "I would say something like, on the way up here—and I'd have to use a fake voice but I don't feel like doing that, it's kind of embarrassing—I heard on the rodeo—I call it the rodeo instead of the radio— I heard that the governor's mansion in Kentucky was on fire. And if they didn't hurry up and get the fire out, the whole trailer park would burn down." Johnson said Kentucky is her home state. To book her comedy act, call 812-766-0473. Though she has performed for most of her life, Johnson said the idea to make an album was not entirely her own. "I've started writing songs, and I've always loved to sing and everything. Dad was like... why don't we just call him (Johnson's producer Larry Carter) up and send him a demo, and see what he says about it, and he (Carter) was like yeah, let's do it. So it was kind of a mixture of my dad and the producer's idea." Carter, who is not only producing but playing guitar for the album, is an old acquaintance of the Johnsons, and hails from a Pentecostal church in Missouri. His production website is www.larrycarter.com. "He's a really good friend of ours. We've known him for a long time," Mandy said. "He did the guitar— he's an amazing guitarist." Carter and Johnson got The 66th annual Soil and Water Conservation District meeting was Tuesday night, January 29. Attendees were treated to a banquet and heard presentations from SWCD members and local agricultural experts. Chasity Sanders talked about the "My Plate" nutrition guide at the 66th annual SWCD meeting Tuesday night. Darlene Decker talked about Pike County extension services, 4-H and the county fair at the 66th annual SWCD meeting Tuesday night. Mandy Johnson records one of the songs for her upcoming debut gospel album, "Amazing." Johnson is 16 years old and has already performed stand-up comedy and music all over the Midwest. together in the Abundant Life sanctuary to cut the CD over a long day of production. "He had to set up all his equipment, which took quite a while. We just kind of took off from there," Johnson said. "We had to sing, and I would mess up, or I would get too carried away in the song, and go crazy with it, and he'd be like, no you need to calm down, you need to redo that part. So we'd have to stop and redo that one word, and then he would have to plug that in, and we would continue with the song. He always wanted to do a backup song in case that one got lost in the file or something. So we always had to do each song twice. It was a very lengthy process. One song would take any- where from two hours to 30 minutes." Johnson said the gospel album will probably be named "Amazing." She wrote four of the songs on the album herself, and said they were inspired by hard times in her own life. "I would go through something, or I'd be really down and out, and then I would be praying and seeking God's help," she said. "The songs would just kind of come, as a way of comfort or something." Johnson said the album should be ready to release by February or March this year. "I just want people to be touched," she said, "and I want it to edify their walk with God, because He is everything to me." Ask us about the Hybrid Heat System from Carrier, a combined gas and electric heating system. It's the right choice at the right time for the ultimate in comfort all the time. • Unmatched Carrier expertise, efficiency and reliability • Family owned and operated REBATES STILL • Repair all makes and models AVAILABL.E! • Licensed $15 Off FALL FURNACE CLEAN Call for Details WINTERKEEP YOUR & CHECK, FURNACE CLEAN & CHECK SYSTEM WORKING AT ITS Keep your system working at PEAK EFFICIENCY THIS its peak efficiency this winter WINTER At the 66th annual SWCD meeting, Pike County historian Sandy McBeth gave a history lesson on Pike County's industry and outdoor happenings. EXPIRES: 2/28/13 EXPIRES: 2/28/10 FOUR DAY CLEARANCE WarehouseSALE BEHIND OBERMEYER YAMAHA on 4th Street FEBRUARY 7-10 THURS. 7-7 FRI. 10-7 SAT. 9-4 SUN. 12-4 Entertainment Centers Sofas/Loveseats Recliners Over 100 Styles to Choose From! End Tables Cocktail Tables Over 200 to Choose From! 5 Styles 299 $ Bedroom Suites and Assorted Chests CASH & CARRY Starting at NEW ITEMS, DISCONTINUED, SCRATCH & DENT Sale at 333 4th Street Location 99 99 All Sizes Available 39.99 BRING YOUR TRUCK OR TRAILER Twin Mattresses from $ Bar Stools Chairs $ 99 Truckload Bedding Sale NEW ITEMS ADDED DAILY FINAL MARKDOWNS ON SUNDAY GREAT ITEMS FOR HOME, APARTMENT OR DORM Closed on the Square Feb. 7-10 for Sale