Robert White Johnson (born c. 1952)[1] is an American songwriter and musician, based inNashville, best known for co-writing "Where Does My Heart Beat Now", which was a major hit forCeline Dion.[2]
Robert White Johnson is a native ofMoline, Illinois, where he commenced his career as a professional musician, playing drums. He originally went to Nashville at the behest ofDottie West, who was interested in developing Johnson's pop music career. He later became a staff writer forTree Publishing.[2]
While continuing as a staff writer with Tree Publishing, in 1981, Johnson co-founded, with bass and keyboard playerJimmie Lee Sloas, the rock bandRPM, where Johnson was the lead singer.[3] The band released two albums and had a modestAOR hit single, "A Legend Never Dies". The group's albums were produced byBrent Maher andGary Langan, respectively.[4] After the band folded, Johnson concentrated on his staff songwriting position, before becoming an independent songwriter and producer as of the mid-1990s. He has contributed songs, production or both to such bands as theBeach Boys,[5]Peter Wolf,[6]B.J. Thomas,[7]Lynyrd Skynyrd,[8]38 Special,[9]Van Zant[10] andCeline Dion. He is also a songwriter and producer of popular Christian music.[2] In 1996, he won aDove Award as producer of the Inspirational Album of The Year,Unbelievable Love, byLarnelle Harris.[2] Johnson is also a successful writer and performer ofjingles.[2]
