| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Ben, BJ1 |
| Profession | American songwriter, record producer and performing artist2 |
| Physical Stats | |
| Height | Around 6 feet (183 cm) |
| Eye Color | Hazel or Light Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown / Black |
| Weight | Approx. 75–80 kg (165–176 lbs) |
| Career | |
| Debut Song | “Patient” by Charlie Puth (2018 breakthrough) |
| Genre |
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| Instruments & Tools | Piano, Guitar, Cello, Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle, Bass, Pro Tools (Digital Audio Workstation), Analog Tape (Learned multiple instruments from childhood, started with piano taught by grandmother) |
| Publisher | Tape Room Music, APG (Artist Publishing Group), Runner Music (Co-publishing deal signed in 2019 following Charlie Puth’s “Patient”) |
| Collaborations |
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| Label |
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| Personal Life | |
| Name | Ben Johnson |
| Age | 31 (as of 2025)3 |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | Meridian, Mississippi, USA |
| Education | Studied Music Business, Composition, Engineering |
| School | Local school in Meridian (Name not specified) |
| Partner & Family | |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Siblings | Jenna Johnson & KK Johnson (bandmates in Track45) |
| Father Name |  Joel Johnson |
| Mother Name |  Susie Johnson |
| Wife Name | Lauren Conklin (married in 2016) |
| Signature |  |
| Earnings & Assets | |
| Net Worth |
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| Preferences & Interests | |
| Favourites Singer | Jimmie Rodgers, The Beatles |
| Favourite Travel | Tours across Southeast USA; enjoys Nashville scene |
| Favourite Hobbies | Playing instruments, Producing, Writing, Touring, Reading |
| Social Media | |
| @benjohnsoncountry | |
| YouTube Channel (Main) | BenJohnsonCountry |
| Official Website | theonlybenjohnson.com |
| Fun Facts | |
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🎼 Early Life and Musical Roots
- Ben Johnson is an American songwriter and producer based in Nashville, Tennessee known for his versatile work across country, rock and pop genres7.
- He spent his childhood in Meridian, Mississippi the birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers (Father of Country Music) and that legacy influenced his early musical interests.
- He started learning piano from his grandmother at six which helped him become a multi-instrumentalist.
“Around seven, I started playing the pieces differently than they were written. … I got really into The Beatles around 13 and that was a big eye-opener, learning about how they wrote all those classic songs. But also being from Meridian … had a huge impact on me and on what I thought was possible being from a small town8.”
- He spent his early years reworking classical and pop piano music which led him to songwriting.
- His early music life was shaped by his family as his grandfather directing church choirs while his uncle performing in a barbershop band and his mother singing harmonies with him and his sisters.
- Ben and his sisters Jenna and KK performed traditional and bluegrass music at churches, nursing homes, festivals and private events across Mississippi and Alabama9.
- In 2011 the trio advanced to The X Factor‘s Hollywood rounds and impressed Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul with their folk inspired harmonies.
📚 Education and Move to Nashville
- In 2012 Johnson moved to Nashville with his sisters to pursue music and enrolled at Belmont University on a cello scholarship.
- At Belmont, Ben wrote two songs a day with his sisters alongside his schoolwork and jobs.
- He studied music business, engineering, and composition to grow as both a writer and a producer.
“I moved to Nashville with my sisters for our band, TRACK45, and that’s still where my main focus is … it’s very cool that this whole other dream of writing songs for other people has even materialized.”
- During college he picked up cello, piano, guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass for student groups and local shows.
- In Nashville, he built connections by co-writing with Ashley Gorley, Rivers Rutherford and Hunter Phelps.
Breakthrough and Major Collaborations
- In 2018, veteran songwriter Ashley Gorley challenged Ben to submit his best work leading to Charlie Puth’s cut of Johnson’s song “Patient” the next morning10.
- “Patient” appeared on Charlie Puth’s album “Voicenotes” in 2018 giving Johnson his first break in publishing career.
- After “Patient” success he signed a worldwide co-publishing deal in January 2019 with Tape Room Music, APG and Runner Music.
“None of those songs have only my name on them, and I am very aware that I am blessed to work with some incredibly talented individuals who see enough in me to want to work together11.”
- He soon made songs for Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, Ava Max, Meek Mill ft. Justin Timberlake and David Guetta.
- Johnson has written for pop artists (Charlie Puth, Ava Max, John Legend), rock bands (Weezer, Diplo) and country stars (Morgan Wallen, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice).
- He’s worked with Morgan Wallen, Kylie Morgan, Hardy, Lee Brice, Dierks Bentley, John Legend, Ava Max and Weezer.
- He focuses on storytelling melody and real emotion which define his songs.
Ben Johnson Featured in Netflix’s Hitmakers
Ben Johnson appears as one of the 12 talented songwriters in Netflix’s upcoming docuseries Hitmakers which will premiere on July 24th 2025. The show offers a behind-the-scenes look at high-pressure songwriting camps where a diverse group of hitmakers collaborate to write songs for major artists like John Legend, BLACKPINK’s Lisa and Shaboozey.
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Key Cast Members Alongside Ben Johnson
Jenna Andrews (co-writer of BTS’s “Butter”)
Tommy Brown (produced Ariana Grande’s Thank U, Next)
Trey Campbell (“U Move, I Move” for John Legend)
Ferras (contributed to Dua Lipa’s “Genesis”)
Harv (co-wrote Justin Bieber’s “Forever”)
Stephen Kirk (also on “Butter”)
JHart (“Angel Baby” for Troye Sivan)
Whitney Phillips (“Stuck With You” by Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber)
Sevyn Streeter (“Next to You” by Chris Brown)
Nova Wav (wrote Beyoncé’s “Cuff It”)
🏆 Awards and Recognition
- Johnson has achieved ten No. 1 singles on major charts proves his writing strength and industry respect.
- “One of Them Girls” co-written by Johnson and performed by Lee Brice made history as the first song to win Country Song of the Year at ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC PRO awards in 2021.
- In addition to ten No. 1 country singles his song “All My Favorite Songs” performed by Weezer has topped the Billboard’s Rock Airplay chart.
- That Weezer single brought him a Grammy nomination for “Best Rock Song” at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards (2022)12.
- He’s earned five CMA Triple Play Awards for writing three No 1 hits in one year.
- Johnson has also received a BMI Country Award for his contributions to the genre’s biggest hit.
- At the 2023, Nashville’s “Songwriter Awards” the Hardy track “Give Heaven Some Hell” co-written by Johnson won praise for its storytelling.
- He and Nate Smith were nominated for Male Song of the Year at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards for “Bulletproof.”
- In May 2025, he was honoured at the CMA Triple Play Awards for achieving multiple No. 1 hits within a year13.
Production, Studio Work and Track45
- Besides writing he works behind the scenes to make sure every track sounds fresh, smooth and true to its roots.
- He co-founded the studio “Music Row” alongside Hardy and Dave Alan Johnson which set to develop an insider docuseries on Nashville’s music scene14.
- Music Row will take viewers behind the scenes of hit-making.
- As of August 2024, he’s been published by Tape Room Music, APG, and Runner Music ensuring global reach for his songs and also he mentors emerging writers and producers in Nashville.
“The only thing we ever did was write songs in high school with each other. … It’s loud and it’s confrontational but at the end it’s so much fun because you’re getting to create with people who you trust15.”
- Johnson also performs as an artist with his sisters in the band Track45 signed to Stoney Creek Records/BBR.
- Track45 has released two EPs like Small Town (2020) and Big Dreams (2021) highlighting their close harmonies and roots driven music.
- “Track45” was inspired by three things: Meridian’s railroad history, the 45 rpm record and the highway they traveled for playing at gigs.
- Ben plays a key role in Track45 writing songs, producing tracks and playing many instruments which showcases his musical versatility.
- The band has toured across the Southeast performing everywhere from nursing homes to the Bluebird Café.
Ben Johnson’s Breakthrough Journey
Ben’s band once played a show on Music Row organized by a Performance Rights Organization (PRO). The event was packed with music publishers but surprisingly not a single follow-up call or meeting came out of it.
While performing at a small bowling alley gig the band was introduced by the sound engineer to renowned producer Byron Gallimore who went on to produce their first project.
Byron Gallimore’s wife Missi Gallimore of T.R.U.T.H. Management later signed the band to joint management along with Borman Entertainment.
At a casual Nashville church barbeque ben connected with hit songwriter Rivers Rutherford who helped them break into Nashville’s songwriting circuit16.
“You have moments where you feel like you’re going to win [but nothing happens], and then you play a show at a bowling alley and you end up with one of the biggest producers.”
“Treat every opportunity like it’s the opportunity, even if it’s a bowling alley or a church picnic—you never know.”
Creative Process and Musical Philosophy
- Johnson’s routine includes daily songwriting where he often drafts multiple ideas before working out the melody or lyrics.
- His approach to co-writing prioritizes emotional honesty, relatable themes and memorable hooks.
- Johnson credits his grandmother’s piano lessons for adding discipline and creativity in his early years.
“I don’t have a specific formula, but I do usually try to identify what the room needs from me in a co‑writing scenario, and I try to be ready with ideas, melody, lyrics, or production to help get a song across the finish line17.”
- He finds inspiration in The Beatles’ gift for melody and Jimmie Rodgers’ groundbreaking country storytelling.
- Johnson taught himself recording picking up Pro Tools and analog techniques while working in local studios. His production style mixes natural acoustic sounds with subtle electronic touches.
- He writes and produces for a wide range of artists believing that songs can work in any genre. Recently, he contributed three tracks to the Twister movie soundtrack.
Teaching, Philanthropy and Industry Impact
- Ben shares his knowledge of songwriting and the music business by speaking on panels and mentoring at songwriting workshops.
- He works with Belmont University occasionally to teach songwriting and production masterclasses. His work has generated billions of streams on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
- He’s ranked among the top-earning writers in Nashville. Ben also gives back to the society by supporting music education for underprivileged youth. He and his sisters donate part of Track45’s performance earnings to local programs that help young musicians.
- Ben maintains a strong relationship with major and independent labels to maintain a balance between commercial goals and honest music.
- His talent for switching between slow, emotional tracks and upbeat bangers keeps him in demand. His recent work includes songs for Morgan Wallen, Russell Dickerson, and Jelly Roll.
💑 Personal Life and Social Engagement
- Ben and his wife Lauren Conklin first met at a youth orchestra camp. With time their shared love for music and instruments brought them closer. They married in 2016 and often work together creatively where Lauren contributes in violin, background vocals and help with visual design.
- Both are blessed with a really cute dog named Juju & has recently celebrated his Birthday as turned 3.
- Johnson is an active member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and frequently appears at RISE events. He’s performed at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Songwriter Sessions by offering insight into his creative process18.
- Ben Johnson keeps fans updated through his official website theonlybenjohnson.com where you’ll find tour dates, press releases and his full discography.
- On Instagram (@benjohnsoncountry) he shares moments from the studio, songwriting tips, tour highlights, and glimpses of daily life.
- His YouTube channel BenJohnsonCountry includes music videos, live clips and behind-the-scenes vlogs.
📱Online Influence and Brand Collaborations
📀 Recent and Future Projects
- In 2024, Ben Johnson produced a tribute song for the Country Music Hall of Fame’s ceremony. This special project honored legendary country artists and was performed live at the ceremony earning praise for its heartfelt lyrics and powerful production.
- He co-wrote a charity single to support music therapy programs for military veterans showcasing his commitment to give back. His songs raises both awareness and funds for programs that help veterans heal through music highlighting his passion for using talent to make a difference.
- He is also a regular guest speaker at Belmont University and frequently visits the Mike Curb College to mentor students. Ben shares his industry experience with young songwriters and musicians, offering advice, co-writing sessions, and encouragement to the next generation.
- In 2026, Ben plans to release his debut solo album “Stepping into the Spotlight” featuring his own voice and songs. This marks a new chapter in his career as he moves from behind-the-scenes writing and producing to stepping up as a solo artist with his personal songtrack.
- He is actively co-writing tracks for top artists with major album releases scheduled for late 2025. Ben continues to be in demand as a songwriter, collaborating with chart-topping names and contributing to some of the most anticipated albums of the year.
Kanika Dhingra is a pop culture writer with 5+ years of experience decoding celebrity fame. From hip-hop trailblazers to viral chart-toppers, she delivers smart, stylish profiles that resonate with fans and critics alike.
