Song: Somebody's Calling My Name
Use: Hymn Song In Public Domain

Song by: Dr. C.J. Johnson

Intro by: Gail Nobles

Today's topic is Dr. CJ Johnson, a gospel music singing preacher and pastor.


Claude Joseph Johnson is his name. He was born on May 16, 1913, in Douglasville, Georgia, the son of Will and Cora Reid Johnson. The family moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1916. His mother died when he was young, and he with his elder and younger sister were raised by his paternal grandmother, Sarah Farley Johnson. His father, Will, was a shape note teacher in Georgia in the 1920s and 1930s.

He first acted as pastor at the age of 12 at the Antioch Baptist Church in Barnesville, Georgia. He was pastor in 14 churches, including his own foundation of the St Joseph's Missionary Baptist Church.

Although Johnson had been active in Georgia since his early years, he only gained wider prominence from 1964, when he came to the attention of Fred Mendelsohn, then executive producer at Savoy Records. He recorded at least 20 albums, all of which were recorded in his church rather than in a recording studio.Although most of his recorded songs are traditional, 26 are listed as his own compositions. His 1970 recording of "I Wanna Go Where Jesus Is" was a gold-selling record.

I love the way Johnson sings Hush! Hush! Somebody's Calling My Name. From the 1966 album Dr. C.J. Johnson The Old Time Song Service. They didn't have music.Just handclaps, the choir, and Johnson singing. Johnson was saying I'm so glad troubles don't last always and I'm so glad I got my religion in time. Every time I hear him sing and get to the end of each line of the song, I think to myself carry-on carry-on. When you get caught up in what he's singing, it makes you patient enough to listen no matter how long the song is. I listen and agree to the end of the song.

You're listening to the Gospel Greats. I'm Gail Nobles. Today's topic: Dr. CJ Johnson.