Johnny Rawls, Soul Blues Man, was born September 10, 1951 in Columbia, Mississippi and raised in Purvis, Mississippi. Johnny started playing music at a very early age; influenced by his grandfather, John Paul Newson, a blind guitarist who played for family gatherings.

Johnny formed his first band at the age of 13 called The Sextets. The band became very popular and attracted national blues artists such as Earl Gaines, Willie Hightower and Johnny Hughes. Later, Johnny moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and formed a band that became The Ace of Spades, which was the legendary O.V. Wright Band. more history