Caleb Johnson
Caleb Perry Johnson (/ˈkeɪləb/;[1] born April 23, 1991) is an American singer who won the thirteenth season of American Idol. Prior to appearing on the series, he was the front man for the band Elijah Hooker. After American Idol, Johnson released his debut solo album, Testify, through Interscope Records. After leaving his label, he formed another group, Caleb Johnson and the Ramblin' Saints, and in 2019, the group self-released its first album, Born from Southern Ground.
This article is about the rock singer. For other people by this name, see Caleb Johnson (disambiguation).
Caleb Johnson
Caleb Perry Johnson
April 23, 1991
Asheville, North Carolina, United States
Singer, songwriter
Vocals, guitar, piano
2010–present
Big Johnson Records, Interscope, 19
- Caleb Johnson and the Ramblin' Saints
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Early life[edit]
Caleb Johnson was born on April 23, 1991, to David and Tamra Johnson in Asheville, North Carolina.[2][3] His mother works as an accountant, his father is a former football coach and works for the Parks and Recreation Department of Buncombe County, North Carolina, but both have backgrounds in music.[4][5][6][7] He attended Clyde A. Erwin High School in Asheville and graduated in 2009.[8] He played some sports in high school, joined the drama club and chorus, and did some mission work and some volunteering at his church, Calvary Baptist.[9]
Johnson became interested in singing around age 17 when Josh Sawyer, who had a band in his high school, asked him to be the lead singer. The first song he performed in public in his high school was "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival.[10] He took part in a talent show while in high school with a band called Gorgon.[11] He considers Chris Cornell to be his biggest musical influence, and that Rush is his favorite band.[12][13][14][15]
Music career[edit]
2010: Elijah Hooker[edit]
After graduating Erwin High School in Asheville, North Carolina, on June 30, 2009, Caleb Johnson first joined a band called Rock Bottom as its lead singer.[9] A year later, he joined his friend Josh Sawyer in rock band called Elijah Hooker and became its lead vocalist.[2] Sawyer is the lead guitarist of the band; the other members of the band included Brian Turner on keyboard, Shawn Foerst on bass, and Colten Emery on drums.[16][17]
Elijah Hooker released its self-titled debut album Elijah Hooker in June 2013. The 10-track album featured "Happiest Man" as its lead track.[17]