The Dixie Beats

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The Dixie Beats’ Queen of Rhythm is drummer, Karen Johnson, whose innate sense of swing lays the foundation on which the band builds its irresistible music. This feel for music may well be genetic – Karen’s parents met as ballroom dance instructors and as a member of a large family she recalls that someone was always singing in the house.

At an early age she was awe-struck by the military parade drummers when watching events such as the Changing of the Guard or Trooping the Colour on TV, and this led to her joining the Church Parade band where she refused the offer of a penny-whistle and insisted on learning to drum. Unfortunately she was not allowed to take a drum home so to practise she spent many an hour seated on the back door-step with an upturned mop-bucket and two wooden spoons while her Dad whistled “When the Saints go Marching in”.

At secondary school she auditioned for the school brass band resulting in her teachers wanting her to learn the trumpet, but she stubbornly held out for drums. Eventually she was allowed to have a go on the kit and the rest is history.

It was also in the school music room that she met husband-to-be, Scott, the Dixie Beats guitar/banjo player and music has remained a major part of their lives.

Aged just 12 Karen joined the Lancashire Fusiliers Association Band, later to become “A Touch of Brass”. She loved the swinging, jazzy numbers they played and this eventually led to her and Scott, along a couple of others becoming founder members of the Bourbon Street Roof Raisers jazz band. After a successful time with the jazzers she and Scott took a different musical direction and formed a highly successful rock/covers band which they ran for several years before taking a break to spend time with family.

She returned to the music scene by joining a popular “cowboy-rock” band, Tex and the Hard Core Troubadors before re-uniting with some old jazz friends who had recently formed the Dixie Beats and who were absolutely delighted to have her join them. Not only does she rule the rhythm, but her musical awareness allows her to contribute greatly to the band’s infectious energy and unique style and arrangements.