As part of our musician series here on Your Life Matters, we are extremely proud to welcome Calvin Ray Johnson to our show. Calvin is one of Kentucky's best Country Music Artists. Calvin began singing at age 18. Calvin also has a life threatening illness called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy but he has never let that stand in the way of his dreams. In his 11 year singing career he has performed on National TV 6 times.  

Throughout his life Calvin has spread awareness about Muscular Dystrophy on a local and national level at telethons and fundraisers. In Aug. 2007 he recieved the Epiphone Lifetime Achievement Award for his Humanitarian Work with MDA and for his musical achievements.

Calvin was diagnosed with MD at the age of 8. He had to start using a wheelchair when he was 12. Before MD forced Calvin to use a wheelchair he played Little League Baseball and Basketball. At the age of 12 he also served as the MDA Goodwill Ambassador of Kentucky. Calvin began singing at age 18 in 1998 after he bought a 1950's Rock n Roll CD collection. Calvin loves to help MDA and other charities with his music.

In 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003 & 2001 he sang on the Jerry Lewis National MDA Telethon in Las Vegas. His 2001 appearance on the National Telethon included a Duet with Kermit The Frog! Calvin has also organized & hosted 2 MDA Fundraiser Concerts in 2007 & 2008 at the Nashville Palace. The fundraiser concerts included country music stars. In Oct. 2009 Kosair Charities made a $10,000 dollar donation to MDA in honor of Calvin.

From 2004 to 2009 Calvin owned and managed his own country music theater called Calvin Ray’s in Leitchfield, KY. For 5 years he performed there with his great band the Calvin Ray Band. Calvin opened for many Country Stars at his theater including Joe Diffie, Marty Stuart, Chris Young, Little Jimmy Dickens, Don Williams, John Anderson, Pam Tillis, Jack Greene, Mike Snider, The Grascals, 2006 Nashville Star Tour & Julie Roberts. Before opening his theater, he sang at Music Theatres and in contests throughout Kentucky & Nashville. He’s won many contests during his career some of which were at the Nashville Palace in Nashville. In 2007 he performed on the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree 3 times.

Calvin's debut cd “Take That Chance” was released in 2007. From 2007 - 2008 he released 3 singles in America and Europe. The 1st single called Should've Been Singing Rock Of Ages reached #8 on the ECMA Top 100 Chart in Sept. 2007. In Oct. 2007 he released his 2nd single Clearwater Mississippi. In Feb. 2008 he released his 3rd single Say Hello To Heaven. In 2009 his single Say Hello To Heaven was included on a compilation cd called Melodical Hearts the cd raised awareness about child adoption.

Calvin has appeared in TV Interviews, Magazines, Newspapers & a book. They include CW Louisville Live, WBKO Hometown Hero, Quest Magazine, Kentucky Monthly, International Musicians Magazine, and Country Music People (England's Number 1 Country Music Magazine) in 2008 his CD got a 3 Star CD Review in that magazine. The book he is in is called Kentucky's Everyday Heroes.

Calvin could have given up a long time ago but thanks to his strong will, determination, the love and encouragement of his parents, his family and GOD he did not give up and he never will.