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Photo Credit: Erick Anderson
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Music has always been more than just sound. It's a vessel of memory, emotion, and identity. At its core, music is one of the most powerful storytelling tools we have. Whether it’s a whispered acoustic ballad or an arena-packing rock anthem, the best songs don’t just entertain—they connect. They tell stories.
Why Storytelling Matters in Music
Storytelling gives music its emotional weight. While melody may capture the ear, it’s the story within the song that captures the heart. Think of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road,” or Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” These songs paint vivid scenes, rich with character, conflict, and raw humanity.
A great musical story:
As Guitar Thrills Magazine puts it:
“The most unforgettable guitar tones are only as strong as the stories they help tell.”
Artists like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and more recently Brandi Carlile and Jason Isbell, use songwriting as a form of modern folklore. Their lyrics chronicle personal truths and collective struggles. It’s not always about linear narratives—sometimes it’s about capturing a feeling or a fleeting moment in time.
KC Johns, for instance, blends her Southern roots with contemporary grit. Her track “Rodeo Queen” doesn’t just showcase her vocal power—it tells a deeply personal tale of family, strength, and heritage. That kind of storytelling becomes timeless, reaching listeners far beyond genre.
In many cases, the instrument itself becomes a voice. A bend of the string, a minor chord progression, a driving rhythm—these musical decisions shape the arc of the story. A haunting slide guitar can speak heartbreak; a distorted solo can shout rebellion.
Guitarists often say, “Let your guitar do the talking.” In storytelling, it often does.
Neurologically, our brains are wired for stories. They help us make sense of the world and relate to others. When paired with melody, rhythm, and harmony, stories in music activate both emotional and cognitive centers of the brain, making them more memorable and impactful than standalone narratives.
This is why certain songs stay with us for decades. They tap into something universal.
Want to become a stronger musical storyteller? Try this:
Blending Country Roots with Rock & Roll Fire
Hailing from the musical crossroads of Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Hernando, Mississippi, KC Johns is a bold, soulful voice in today’s country-rock scene. With a style shaped by influences like Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Led Zeppelin, and the deep Memphis blues of Otis Redding, KC brings an electrifying energy and authenticity to every stage she steps on.
Her journey started early singing in church, writing songs at 15, and eventually performing nightly on Nashville’s Lower Broadway after years touring with Carnival Cruise Lines and performing at Dollywood. These experiences, combined with the grit of chasing her dreams while couch-surfing in Nashville, built the foundation for her no-apologies sound and work ethic.
KC has shared stages with Luke Bryan, Chris Young, and Randy Houser, and has played over 200 shows a year across the U.S. and internationally. Her 2022 digital debut album Thunder featured standout tracks like “Whiskey Break” (featured in the documentary Enormous: The Gorge Story) and “Confused,” which topped the PlayMPE Country charts in its debut week.
Her hit single “Rodeo Queen” is a personal anthem—paying tribute to her family’s rodeo roots while delivering a punch of country swagger and rock edge. With recent releases like “Smoke Show,” “Break From The Heart,” and “Kind of Vibe,” KC continues to carve a sound that’s bold, emotionally charged, and undeniably hers.
Now based in Nashville, KC Johns is more than a performer—she’s a storyteller, a road warrior, and a rising force in country music. Whether on stage at a backroad bar, a packed festival, or opening for the next big name, KC leaves it all on the stage and in the song.
INTERVIEW WITH KC JOHNS AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: You’ve described yourself as a storyteller as much as a singer—what does storytelling through music mean to you personally?
KC Johns: Storytelling through music is everything to me. It’s how I process life, heartache, the road, the joy, and all the chaos in between. I grew up around Blues, Country & Rock ‘N’ Roll being from Memphis/Mississippi, spinning stories in every line, and that shaped how I write today. When someone listens to one of my tunes and says, “That’s exactly how I feel,” that’s the magic. That’s the whole point.
Guitar Thrills: When you write a new song, do you start with a personal experience or build from a fictional idea? How do you find the story within the song?
KC Johns: It almost always starts with something real–an experience, a feeling, or a moment I can’t shake. From there, I let the story unfold naturally. Sometimes the truth needs a little creative twist, but I try to keep the heart of it honest. Even if I’m writing about someone else, it has to feel true to me, or it doesn’t work.
Guitar Thrills: Your song “Rodeo Queen” feels deeply personal. Can you walk us through the story behind it and what it represents about your roots?
KC Johns: “Rodeo Queen” is a love story and a chick’s anthem. I grew up in the Rodeo world barrel racing with my mom. I found this pamphlet of my mom, in storage one day, and on the front cover was her as a Rodeo Queen back in the 70’s. I thought this story was awesome, my step dad was a bull rider, they fell in love and thought their story was cute, we incorporated their love story in the song. Not only that, but the song basically talks about if a man can’t reach a standard that fits mine, then he’s out! LOL. And the fact that it’s about to hit 1 million streams? That blows my mind that folks out there related to my story and I’m incredibly grateful. Shoutout to Brett Trout & Tim Angsten for helping me get this story on paper.
Guitar Thrills: In your opinion, what makes a song emotionally powerful and timeless? Is it the lyrics, the melody—or the story they tell together?
KC Johns: It’s the perfect storm of all three. A badass melody can hook you, but if the lyrics don’t hit where it hurts–or heals–it won’t stick. And the story? That’s the soul! If it doesn’t feel real, it won’t last. Timeless songs are the ones that still make your chest tighten 20 years later.
Guitar Thrills: Are there any stories you’ve been hesitant to share in your music? How do you decide how vulnerable to be as an artist?
KC Johns: Oh yeah. Vulnerability is a bitch–but it’s where the good stuff lives. I’ve held back before and still do at times, wondering if it was “too much” to say out loud. But the more I’ve leaned into honesty, the more I’ve connected with people. If it scares me a little to write it, I know I’m onto something real.
Guitar Thrills: Do you ever write songs from other people’s perspectives or imagined characters, and how different is that from writing about yourself?
KC Johns: Definitely. I love stepping into someone else’s boots for a song. It challenges me to see the world through a different lens. But even then, there’s always a piece of me in it–my spin, my voice. It’s like acting in a way, but the emotion has to still come from a true place.
Guitar Thrills: You’ve performed hundreds of shows across the country and overseas—how does storytelling change when you're performing live versus recording in the studio?
KC Johns: Live shows are raw. You’re feeding off the crowd’s energy, reading their faces, adjusting on the fly. That’s where the stories come to life in real time. In the studio, it’s more introspective. It’s like carving the story into stone, getting every word and note just right. Both are powerful, just in different ways.
Beyond the Music
Guitar Thrills: While music is at the core of what you do, you’ve taken on other creative and personal challenges along the way. What are you most proud of outside of your music career?
KC Johns: Branding my own whiskey, Thunder, has been a wild and amazing ride. It started as a fun idea from someone saying, “you’d sell the hell outta some whiskey if you had your own,” and now it’s about to be a full blown whiskey club with people sipping it across the country. It’s a bold, smoky bourbon that fits my vibe and it’s become another way for me to connect with people, just in a glass instead of a guitar.
Guitar Thrills: You spent years performing on cruise ships and at Dollywood—how did those unique experiences shape you personally and professionally?
KC Johns: Dollywood taught me how to perform with heart & consistency, day after day. Cruise ships threw me into a melting pot of cultures and taught me how to adapt fast–learning songs on the fly. I grew up a lot during those years, both as a performer and a human.
Guitar Thrills: Mental wellness and self-discovery are important parts of every artist’s journey. How do you stay grounded outside of the spotlight?
KC Johns: The road can be loud and chaotic, it’s where I thrive the most, but I’ve also learned to carve out quiet moments when I can: running, journaling, reading, and lately, just learning to say “no” when I need to. Staying grounded means surrounding myself with people who know me beyond the stage lights. And let's be honest, sometimes it’s a messy balance. But I try to keep it real!
Guitar Thrills: Have you been involved in any community work, mentorship, or causes that allow you to give back beyond the music industry?
KC Johns: My favorite has been going back to Memphis and working with St. Jude, I’d even love to dive deeper into this. OR even working with younger artists and music programs.
Guitar Thrills: If you weren’t doing music, what other career or creative outlet would you pursue—and do you ever explore those passions on the side?
KC Johns: Honestly? I’d probably be a creative director or dive into design–fashion, home, and branding. I’ve always been a little obsessed with creating a vibe, whether it’s a stage look or the way my apartment feels when I’m home. But no matter what, I’d still be telling stories. Just with different tools.
Final Chord
The world is a smoked filled room, with streaming singles and algorithm-driven playlists, storytelling remains the heartbeat of meaningful music. It cuts through the noise. Whether you’re a lyricist, guitarist, or producer, weaving a story into your music transforms your art from disposable to unforgettable.
So next time you sit down to write, don’t just ask, “How does it sound?”
Ask, “What story am I telling?”
