Dawn Brooks & the Cory Johnson Trio: Home

We've been hard at work this summer producing a new and very different music project. Our new CD, under the group name "morning star," is an Americana album of hymn arrangements and new songs by Dawn and Cory. We were thrilled and fortunate to work with our wonderful friends and even better musicians: vocalist Dr. Cheryl Anne Roach, multi-instrmentalist Greg Leisz, upright bass player Anthony Shadduck, and drummer Greg Paxton. The album explores many styles of music, including bluegrass, rock-a-billy, southern soul, and folk. We will be promoting the album and performing selected songs at two recital events (check our calendar section for more information). You can buy the album from us directly, on CD Baby at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/morningstar6, on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/morning-Cheryl-Johnson-Anthony-Shadduck/dp/B0043GZJDU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1285884359&sr=1-1, and soon on iTunes. We hope you enjoy the album as much as we loved making it!

Well - he's here and the world better be ready for the cuteness known as Cole Foster Johnson. Check out the photos section to be wowed by the handsome bambino!

After Cole selfishly consumed the first half of their summer (babies tend to be that way) Dawn and Cory are now setting their sights on balancing work and family. This fall is already full of exciting performances including a performance as part of the Second Thoughts series of poetry and music at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton and a Tribute to Sondheim concert with Dawn and friends as the season opener of the Riviera United Methodist 2009-2010 Concert Series. Stay tuned for more updates and performance details!

Everyone who thought we'd be content with Dawn finishing her doctorate this spring, Cory enlightening the minds of young musicians at Fullerton College, Dawn leading a coalition of the willing and musical at Cal State Fullerton and the Huntington Landmark Chorale, and both continuing their hectic, but rewarding jobs at Riviera United Methodist and Our Lady Queen of Angels isn't familiar with how this duo likes to plan their lives. They like to punctuate the busy seasons with new personal achievements as well. Thus, the news has arrived of the imminent and highly anticipated addition to their family of two humans, one moody cat, and one obliviously happy dog - Baby Johnson! More details to come after the exciting premiere in June...

But along with all of this still comes many exciting performance this spring, some public and some private. A certain highlight is the concert on February 6th at Grace First Presbyterian in Lakewood (see the Calendar section for more details) with special guest vocalist Tim "Scat-Man" Smith!