![]() By 1907, Johnson had also formed his own publishing company, putting out his own music and those of other local composers. Eventually Johnson would compose for many other publishers. ![]() Over the next five years Jenkins would publish twelve of Johnson's songs. Jenkins and Sons Music Company in Kansas City, Missouri plugging songs and playing piano. He began work in the late 1890s for the J.W. Johnson's career was stable and prolific. Sheet music cover for Johnson's "Dill Pickles", 1906 In this environment he wrote his first compositions. As a young man Johnson became involved in the music scene of Kansas City by participating in several local groups. His musical ability led him to proficiency on other instruments as well: guitar, violin, banjo, and mandolin. Although he had classical training, he always preferred the popular music of the day. Clearly a prodigy, he was playing a neighbor's piano by age six and began studying classical piano, harmony, and music theory a few years later. Johnson was born in the Armourdale district of Kansas City, Kansas to James R. He wrote more than the other three combined and exemplified a greater range of talent, composing waltzes, tangos, cakewalks, marches, novelty pieces, and other types of music popular at that time. Experts believe that had Johnson lived and worked in New York, he would be included alongside Scott Joplin, James Scott, and Joseph Lamb as one of the greatest ragtime composers. ![]() His best selling piece, a sentimental ballad called "Sweet and Low", sold over a million copies. He published over 300 songs in his life, nearly 40 of them ragtime compositions such as " Doc Brown’s Cakewalk", "Dill Pickles", "Apple Jack (Some Rag)", and "Snookums Rag". He was born in Kansas City, Kansas, died in Kansas City, Missouri, and lived his entire life in those two cities. Charles Leslie Johnson (DecemDecember 28, 1950) was an American composer of ragtime and popular music.
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