Another industry soldier has been called home. It saddened my heart to hear of the loss of my longtime friend Woody Johnson this past Saturday. For many years in the 80's Woody would get in the car heading out of DC, running up and down the road with a trunk full of Capital Records product, working in-stores with artists, hooking up interviews, backstage passes and always trying to push a contest or promotion when he came by the station.

After a visit complete with jokes or a dinner (brother could eat) concluding his trip to the market, his closing words were always "Rock & Roll" before he headed off to the next city to hang with the next stations PD or MD. From Capital Records to his days as an independent, he rolled when Radio & Records was a fun place to be everyday all the time.

In our last conversation in failing health he asked me to come by to talk about a money making opportunity he'd come across. We laugh a bit, talked about the few old times, I said sure, real soon, but I never made it by. I'm now so sorry I didn't make the time. Forgive me Woody. Well, my friend, as a final good-bye I say," Woody, when times were good you were truly ON THE ONE."

I say to all of you reading this, for the REAL friends in your life, ALWAYS Make The Time! The ONLY Thing That is Certain is Today. Tomorrow is But a Promise Hoped For. Keep Your Knees Dirty In Prayer and Your Head Towards The Heavens From Whence Comes Your Strength.

From The Desk of
Jay Lang
Afternoon Drive
WJZW Smooth Jazz 105.9
Washington, DC

Woody would come to Lynchburg......"Lets meet at Red Lobster, we'll push for an add, bring Cisco!" We'll MISS him!!

Da' Madd Ladd ... Public Service Director

WLLL Lynchburg, VA.

I CAN REMEMBER BACK IN THE DAY WHEN PROMOTION PEOPLE WERE NOT JUST PEOPLE CARRYING RECORDS FROM STATION TO STATION..THEY WERE OUR FRIENDS..ANOTHER FRIEND IS GONE ..WE WILL ALL MISS WOODY AND HIS SMILE.

CHESTER B.

Clear Channel Communications

Norfolk, VA.

I received a call this week from Mike Kelly at Elecktra Records he called to say he was sorry to hear about Woody. I felt good that he called ,but also a bit confused because he was offering me the support you would offer a family member. During our conversation about Woody, Mike made a remark about Woody and I being brother and sister ( Now I was wondering how Mike thought that because at one time I worked for Mike Kelly) he told me the way Woody and I acted when we were together he always thought that we were blood brother and sister.

I smile at those comments cause it is good to know that when you love your friend it reflects like you love your brother.

Wanda Hayes

I am truly sorry that I missed Woody's funeral yesterday, but I was in Detroit on XM Satellite Radio Business and I didn't get back until late Friday afternoon. Woody was a good friend and he will be missed by us all, I sent Oggi a message for the family, and I hope he shared it with them and everyone at the send off. Our numbers continue to decrease, something my Grandfather told me many years ago. He said " The worse thing about getting old is, all your friends die" I didn't really pay much attention to what he said back then, but I certainly see what he meant now. So take care of yourself my friend, we want to hang around for a good long while. Musically Yours,

Bobby Bennett

Program Director XM Satellite Radio

Dear Kirby,

I was the chick in the red braids at the funeral in some of the pictures in front of the church after Woody's funeral. I'm standing next to Max Kid in the group picture. My name is Linda Reynolds, formerly from WHUR in DC, now working with Hot 93.7 in Connecticut. I just want you to know how your web site really choked me up ... touched me. Woody was a good friend of mine from WAY back when I was in college doing an internship at WHUR. This was before I was on the air for all those years. He had family in Springfield, Mass (that's about a half hour from here in Hartford), so I actually saw him and his Mom about two years ago. What a wonderful tribute you did for him. I just wanted to commend you from way up here in Connecticut for doing a brother right ... doing a wonderful job. Thank You, Woody would have been pleased.

Sincerely,

Linda Reynolds

Hot 93.7 in Connecticut

I wanted to send a message in remembrance of Woody.

The time I spent at WHUR are among the most memorable days of my life. More than the experience of radio, the people with whom I shared this journey shaped those memories. Woody Johnson was one of those people. I was a news personality. I didn't make decisions about playing his music and I didn't "spin" records. Woody didn't have to be a friend to me. He chose the friendship and I'm grateful. We enjoyed one another's company, valued one another's opinions, and sought out one another's advice. I am so thankful that I was among those with whom Woody shared his joys, fears, needs and concerns. I pray that in some way something I said was a comfort. Thanks for the memories Woody. I wish you peace.

Karen Campbell

Kirby,

Woody used to call me about every week just to check on me, the week before he passed, I accompanied him and his mother to Oggi’s Art show at Nordstrom’s in Pentagon City, at least I got the opportunity to spend some time with him before his untimely death. Woody is finally at peace gone to that big party in the sky, I am sure that he is in a better place. The only sadness about the whole thing is that it now takes the passing of someone, for all of us to come together………

Nicole Mercedes Lockette, Esquire

hHello Kirby,

I'm extremely sorry that i was unable to attend my Brother WOODY JOHNSON funeral the other day,but i'm great full that we have you to spread his memories of the love that so many other folks shared with him at the end of his journey.

I've had the great opportunity of working side by side the good brother in 87/88he for Capital and me foe EMI/Manhattan records, it was always a blast and good eats on the road and in the office. There was never a dull moment in this YOUNG brothers life and he was always willing to help new comers into the business by showing them short cuts of what to do.

Once again this industry we all love so much has lost a TRUE brother, gentle man and find human being to the Father above may he rest in peace always.

Reggie Barnes

Kirby,
I was forwarded the photo gallery from Woody's Funeral. It is not often that people take the time to put together something as nice as you did for Woody. Acts 24:15 promises a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous, I look forward to the time when I can tell Woody what you did for him. May Jehovah bless the spirit you show.

Michael Johnson

kirbycarmichael@aol.com