Eleven months after starting the Ray Johnston Band, Ray found himself where nobody could have ever imagined, standing on the stage at one of SXSW 2010?s biggest showcases opening for Cheap Trick! Instead of throwing assists to Dirk Nowitzki on the basketball court, he was handing off solos to jazz-funk veterans Bobby Sparks (Kirk Franklin, Tower of Power, The RH Factor) and Keith Anderson (Herbie Hancock, Marcus miller). RJB is only 21 months old and has already shared the stage/opened for Jimmy Buffett, The Fray, Dwight Yoakam, Clint Black, Joe Nichols and Los Lonely Boys.

Ray Johnston was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. He played basketball for The University of Alabama and for the Dallas Mavericks until he was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2004 marking the end of his professional basketball career.

Ray taught himself to play guitar and thanks to basketball, he understands the importance of having top-notch teammates. Ray secured some of the best talent in the industry; hip-hop, jazz and soul heavy-weights Keith Anderson and Bobby Sparks (sax & keys). RJB gained instant credibility among those familiar with the works of Sparks and Anderson. The band continues to win over new fans with electric, high-energy performances. RJB concerts feature both gentle melodies and explosions of funk, blues and jazz accenting his expert storytelling. Crowds are never shy at Ray Johnston Band shows and often beg for more when it’s over.

Ray’s lyrics are passionate. They paint pictures with common themes of triumph, struggle, family, love, text messaging, Jesus, flirting, smiling and perseverance. Ray’s leukemia has relapsed 4 times but as of June 2011, he is beating the disease. Ray’s supporters; family, friends and strangers alike continue to help his dream grow into reality.

Ray achieved a great deal of exposure thanks to an eight part series detailing his story on HDNet. The Ray Johnston Band has since maintained rock-star status touring the country in his red tour bus, “Rosie”.