Dana Johnson | Avery Sunshine

Guitarist, producer, award winning writer, CEO, project manager and father are just a few titles of the Oakland, California native, Dana "BigDane" Johnson. Dana's career in music began only a few years after his mother introduced him to the guitar. He realized that his connection with music was much more than a hobby during his matriculation at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. As a member of the world-renowned Morehouse College Jazz band, Dana forged a special musical relationship with a few of his bandmates and their own band "Sirius B" was born. During, what many call, Atlanta's "90's Musical Renaissance", Dana continued to hone his skills in performance, writing and production for many artists including India Arie, Donnie Johnson and Daisy Rew, to name a few. In addition to his work in the music industry and when his schedule permits, Dana enjoys his participation as lead guitarist for the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Dana is one half of the dynamic music team, BigShine Music, with his partner, singer/writer/pianist, Avery*Sunshine. Together they have achieved much success with two independent releases, "Avery*Sunshine" and "The SunRoom". The two albums garnered three Billboard "Top 15" singles and one Billboard #1 Urban Adult Contemporary single CALL MY NAME which rested on the charts for eight consecutive weeks. The duo has won several awards and most recently been nominated for a BET Centric Award. Dana and Avery have traveled extensively around the world performing with and for the likes of B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, and Ringo Starr and continue to share their message, "Shine. No matter what." Alongside touring and performing, Dana is also a teacher/professor. He was invited to conduct a masterclass on the technique he's coined "Stompboxing: The One Man Band", at New York's Guitar Center. When not on the road or recording, Dana always finds time to consult and give guidance to up and coming musicians/artists.