Born: Omaha, Nebraska
Mom & Dad, along with me and my siblings moved from Omaha
to Portland, Oregon when I was 3 years young. I moved to Nashville, TN in 1993.
Elementary School: Richmond, in S.E. Portland (Graduated)
High School: Franklin, in S. E. Portland (Graduated) #Comedy #JohnnyCounterfit
Milestones
My network television break came in 2 separate events,
thanks to CBS & ABC. First, in 1986, Will Vinton
Productions was seeking someone to provide a specific
kind of voice for the starring role of "Rex" in the stop-action
special, A Claymation Christmas Celebration. I auditioned
and was awarded the part. For all of our combined efforts,
the television special won an EMMY in 1987.
I continued the role in 1987 for the full length feature film,
Will Vinton's Festival of Claymation, and provided the voice of
the "Statue of Liberty" in the Michael Jackson "Moonwalker" video.
In 1990, ABC television in Hollywood contacted me to
appear in their new network show, America's Funniest
People. Over the next few years, my segment continued
in reruns, then was sold to other television shows for airing.
The achievement of seeing my name on the marquee of
the exclusive Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, in
my home town of Portland, Oregon was very gratifying.
The former Paramount Theater had been built in 1928,
renovated in 1984, and is located in the heart of the
downtown area, on Broadway. 12 years into my career,
my performance here in 1993, just prior to my moving
to Nashville, TN was a personal as well as
a professional milestone.
Moving to Nashville, TN September 13, 1993 was
a wise decision. Before I decided to relocate, I made
several trips to the city, performing there and meeting
with industry professionals. By virtue of my voice
impressions and comedy, within one year of moving
to Nashville, I found myself performing on the Grand
Ole Opry, and the popular Music City Tonight television
show, on TNN-The Nashville Network.
2019 Johnny Counterfit adds Movie Actor to his credentials upon
completing two separate acting roles in the Sony Pictures/Lifetime
Movie Network film, Patsy & Loretta. Release date: October 2019.
Lights, Camera, Counterfit
Currently, you will find me on music and comedy related television shows including, Country's Family Reunion, Music City Tonight, and Larry's Country Diner on the Heartland Television Network, and RFD Television Network.
I also enjoy airplay on radio stations around the world, as well as streaming on Spotify, and Pandora. Many Internet based programs feature me on their syndicated programs too. PBS Television Special February 2020
Employment:
I worked while in the 7th & 8th grade earning money repairing cars, and mowing lawns. In High School, and into my mid 20's some of my jobs included loading/unloading and driving trucks, general warehouse duties, pouring utility boxes, covers, and vaults in a concrete plant, for electrical and plumbing customers.
The reaction of Actor, Ernest Borgnine is priceless as I perform
my John Wayne impression for Hollywood Producer, A.C. Lyles >>>
Most disliked jobs:
- Picking Pole Beans from fields now under landing strips at the Portland, Oregon International Airport, and picking Strawberries in Gresham, Oregon fields.
- Unloading a sheet-rock delivery truck by hand, and carrying the double panels up several flights of stairs.
Show Business: Photographs throughout this website.
- Performing on concert stages, television and radio throughout
- the U.S., in England, Canada, Caribbean, and Grand Cayman.
- Streaming services companies feature songs Johnny has written
and recorded in his own voice. Internet television and radio
feature Johnny, worldwide.
Political Affiliation: NONE, unless you want to count our U.S. Constitution.
Politicians get away with only what We the People allow......Johnny Counterfit
Skills:
- Voice impressions of Superstar Traditional Country & Pop singers, Hollywood legends, comedians and politicians in a music, CLEAN comedy concert setting.
- *I do not get political in my show; I gently tease both sides of the aisle, with their own voices.
Side Note: My show contains only POSITIVE CLEAN material, and I never give any political opinions or commentary; the audience wants to laugh and sing with me, and that's all we do, together!
....Johnny Counterfit
- Songwriting, Comedy Writing, Marketing, Writing and Producing commercials for television, radio, websites.
- Above are page tabs that will take you to Songs I've Written, vol 1: 15 songs in six different formats
- I'll Create Your Commercial and Advertising Tips for a successful advertising campaign
- Website building. (my own)
- Consultation and guidance for artists.
- Attorney Pro Se
Johnny Counterfit recordings with Country Artists
George Jones "MCA" CD: It Don't Get Any Better Than This,
with George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Bobby Bare,
and Johnny Counterfit as Johnny Cash (George Jones asked
Johnny Counterfit (see liner notes) to fill in for an ailing
Johnny Cash on the recording)
Merle Haggard "Hag" CD: Cabin in the Hills. Merle Haggard asked
Johnny Counterfit (see liner notes) to perform his singing impression
of Johnny Cash, on the title cut.
Johnny Counterfit (partial list) CD, DVD's
Live in Concert 1, 2, 3 * Counterfit Politics * On Stage * Johnny Counterfit Sings with an Orchestra
Songs I've Written, vol. 1 (15 songs)
Other Interests:
- Continued writing of songs, comedy, and books; currently writing second book: The Other Me
- Studying American History, Economics, and current events of the day.
- Developed a theory on the practical application of Helium-3 to power fusion nuclear reactors, including transporting the isotope from the moon. When the Internet came along, I discovered I wasn't the only one working on the theory.
- Study the U.S. Constitution and laws abridging it.
- Notre Dame Cathedral: Created and Submitted restoration designs for the Notre Dame Catherdral in Paris, France.
- Studying the John F. Kennedy administration and assassination. NO, I don't believe the wild conspiracy theories, but for decades, I've read many books and reviewed official documents, television specials and interviews dealing with all aspects of his administration and murder. I continue to study the administration and assassination.*
- *Johnny is available for panel discussions, after Dinner speeches, and interviews on his more than 50 years studying the JFK assassination and administration. The focus on the assassination will NOT be the many conspiracy theories;, but will be from the standpoint of current facts and displays.
Interview Information
Johnny is very happy to relate stories involving a great many country music stars with
whom he's worked, these last 39 years; some are listed above.
Schedule today: jcvoices@aol.com
~Rare Encounters~
Below are a few stars with whom Johnny's has worked, and known, that will be of special interest to your viewers/readers/listeners.
Jimmy Doohan (Scotty-Star Trek) Late 1980’s-1992
Jimmy Doohan and Johnny were friends; they shared some scotch, some voices,
meals together, dialects, and lots of laughs. Johnny was Jimmy's a guest at a Star
Trekkie convention-Los Angeles, CA, and afterward, wrote some comedy lines
for Jimmy's convention appearances.
Cash & Counterfit
Performed I Walk the Line for Johnny Cash & June Carter-Cash
Johnny Cash said of Johnny Counterfit: Cash nephew, Mark Alan Cash asked his uncle, who would sing in the (yet to be filmed, Walk the Line movie)? Cash replied, if they don’t use my recordings, I want Johnny Counterfit to do it; he’s the best I’ve ever seen.
Lynda Evans: Johnny missed out on a dinner date with the Dynasty star, in 1990. At the time, he was
appearing in America's Funniest People at ABC Television Studios, in Los Angeles.
Richard Burton Impression: "Outrageously Funny" Shakespeare & Country Music
Johnny's voice impression of Shakespearian actor, Richard Burton as a country music
artist singing, Camelot, from the hit Broadway musical of the same name. Johnny wrote the arrangement for his show.
~The set-up of this bit is designed so that some who may not know who actor, Richard Burton was, will still enjoy it~
Adam West: Television’s Batman. Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood, Oregon. Johnny and Adam appeared in concert. Prior to the show, Johnny and Adam visited together at the lodge; Adam asked Johnny to teach him how to do the voices and mannerisms of John Wayne, and Ronald Reagan; imagine the spectacle this created!
Frankie Laine: Johnny was part of a concert show, with Frankie as the headline artist, in Central California. Mr. Laine was an American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spanned nearly 75 years, from his first concerts in 1930 with a marathon dance company to his final performance of "That's My Desire" in 2005. His hits included "That's My Desire", "That Lucky Old Sun", "Mule Train", "Jezebel", "High Noon", "Save Your Sorrow", "I Believe", "Hey Joe!", "The Kid's Last Fight", "Cool Water", "Rawhide", and "Lord, You Gave Me a Mountain". He sang well-known theme songs for many movie Western soundtracks, including 3:10 To Yuma, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and Blazing Saddles, although his recordings were not charted as a country.
Carol Lawrence-Actress/Singer, whose stardom ascended with her role in West Side Story, in 1957: When Johnny was a senior in High School, he attended a concert performance by Carol Lawrence. Carol needed someone from the audience to help her with a skit, and (she) chose Johnny from the audience. This was before Johnny had even considered show business as a career, although he had been performing in concert since his junior year of High School, during open mic nights with local bands.
Milton Berle, Legendary Television, Film, and Radio Comedian: Though we spent only part of one day together, making each other laugh, we were kindred spirits. He made me feel as though we’d known each other all our lives. ~Johnny Counterfit
See the end of this page for interview opportunities
Songs I've Written volume 1
Another dimension to Johnny's successful career
This CD features 15 songs Johnny wrote and recorded in his own singing voice. Add to that, the songs are written in 6 different formats: Traditional Country * Contemporary Christian * Folk * Soft Rock * Bluegrass * Comedy
Streaming platforms have added
Johnny's new CD to their list of artists
Spotify * Apple Music * iTunes * Napster Amazon * Tidal * KDigital * Deezer * Yandex YouTube Music
* Google Music Store
It was a great honor for me to perform here for the President, and guests
Johnny is included in a series of DVD collector sets entitled, Country's Family Reunion; some of the greatest legends of country music are in this series.
Though I don't consider myself a legend, I'm honored
to be in this series with so many artists who
are true country music legends!
~Johnny Counterfit
August 29, 2016: Inducted into the Traditional
Country Music Association's Hall of Fame >>>>>
Feature Film-Theaters
Starring Role
Biggest Career Challenge
Those standing between me and the audience.
Blending today with yesterday is very important; this is how I keep my show fresh! ~Johnny Counterfit
EMMY Award
CBS Television Special
Starring Role
Television Commercials; among many.
Music Video
Character Voices for the video
Also available...
Johnny's show for churches!
Johnny's Children
Published author, Johnny Counterfit:
JFK-Averting the Assassination; beautiful hard cover book.
Johnny travels back in time to alter history, and save JFK from assassins bullets. As a result, alternate plots are begun to murder the young president! Alternative History at it's best! Now selling on Internet stores and on this website.
*Click the "Merchandise" tab above to purchase.