Chairmen of The Board Promotional Video
The Legends of Music Awards
Norfolk, Virginia
April 2007
The Road to Success
The road to success is a long and difficult journey of disappointments, frustrations and sacrifices. The wise traveler tries not to acknowledge how far he or she has come because that only distorts the dream and blurs the vision of the true destination. The ultimate destination is to be the best that you can be.
My hometown, Norfolk, Virginia, recently honored me with the legends of music award, an honor that I will cherish forever. I gratefully share this honor with Tidewater greats Ella Fitzgerald, Pearl Bailey, Bruce Hornsby, Ruth Brown, Clarence Clemmons and many other tremendously talented artists from the Tidewater area.
As my family, friends and well-wishers gathered around me, I unveiled my award, a large bronze medallion embedded into the sidewalk of Granby Street. It reads “The Legends of Music Walk of Fame - General Norman Johnson.†When the crowd began to applaud, my mind began to wander. I was taken back in time to a boy raised on the poverty stricken side of Norfolk, to a boy who dreamed of one day recording million selling records, performing at the Apollo Theatre, appearing on American Band Stand and the Tonight Show, touring and performing around the world. Although I could only play three chord progressions, I also dreamed of becoming a successful songwriter. During the award ceremony, the proud expressions on the faces of my family and friends magnified what I already knew but very seldom think of. Against all odds, I have accomplished all of my boyhood dreams.
As I hugged, shook hands and received congratulations from my family, old friends and other well wishers, I’m embarrassed to say my mind was trying to drift away from this incredibly wonderful moment to a song that I’m writing a for a new recording.
I feel truly honored that my hometown has recognized me for the work I’ve done in the past but my brutally frank mind keeps reminding me that the road to success is a never ending experience. “It ain’t about how far you’ve come but all about where you’re trying to go.†Like the boy from my past, I still have dreams. I’m still traveling.