When Johnny was six years old he made his first guitar out of a piece of bamboo and wire from a broken window screen. He played his homemade guitar and sang songs he had heard on the radio at taverns on the west end of Galveston. His first day he received over $15 in tips.

Johnny got his first real guitar. He learn chords and began to play music with two of his older brothers. (That is Johnny on the far right)

In high school Johnny was a member of a band called The Broomstick Cowboys. They played for dances and talent shows.

Johnny spent many years playing bass guitar and backup vocals in a country western band called Don Westmorelan and The Rhythmaires.

After leaving The Rhythmaires, Johnny and his brother Bobby started their own band called Sundown Music. They played for weddings and dances at various venues around Galveston. They became the regular Friday night entertainment for the Elks Lodge.

Johnny continues to play music even into his 80s. You can find him playing and singing at church functions and festivals.