Johnny Schaefer

In the artist’s words: Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail. My father was a Lutheran minister and I sang my first solo in church when I was four years old, "The Little Drummer Boy." What are your top 3 all-time favorite albums on Apple Music, and why? Why did you choose these three albums in particular? Jonathan Elias, The Prayer Cycle Melissa Manchester, The Essence of Melissa Manchester Rickie Lee Jones, Pirates "Pirates" and"Essence..." made marks on my soul musically and emotionally for different reasons. Both have great singing and songwriting. "The Prayer Cycle" combines my love of choral, orchestral, pop, and world music into one mesmerizing album. Find a song of yours on Apple Music that you love and tell us what makes it special. Tell us why you chose this song. “You Can't Hide the Light (feat. Melissa Manchester)” Melissa Manchester was a beacon of light to this gay son of a Lutheran minister in a small town in the 70s. I sent her songs on cassette, hoping she would sing one. She loved this song about seeing the light in one another and recorded it with me. What’s one of the most memorable moments in your career so far? i won the 2021 UK Songwriting Contest/Music Aid International Award for "Best Original Song" for "You Can't Hide the Light," a duet with Grammy® Award-Winner Melissa Manchester which was, itself, a dream come true. Is there anything left on your bucket list as an artist or band? Many things on my list. I've had the honor of singing backup for Josh Groban and others. It's a thrill to be onstage with a sea of cell phone lights waving to a song. I hope to experience that for a song of mine someday. And to win a Grammy.