Jack Johnson

"Music, don’t get me wrong ‘cause I love it, it’s something I hope I’ll always do, but surfing is something that is kinda what brings my friends and me together.”(Johnson Quotes). Jack Johnson was a simple man who grew up in Hawaii and lived a pretty normal life just like any other kid, except for the fact that his family consisted of raw talent that he had to live up to. Johnson was born in 1975 on Oahu, the third largest island among the island chain of Hawaii. His father, Jeff, was a well-known professional surfer and Johnson, like his two older brothers, Trent and Pete, spent his earliest years in and on the water. It was an idyllic childhood, he told Emma Hope in an interview that appeared in London's Sunday Telegraph. "My dad would take us out fishing or snorkeling every day, so we grew up in the ocean--it was our playground," he recalled. "We'd spend all our time outside. The house was just to sleep in. It was always too hot in my room."(Johnson). He was a young boy with big dreams that turned into reality and didn’t let anyone stop him. Jack Johnson is an extremely talented musician who not only has a passion for surfing, but also gives back to his community.

Jack Johnson was born with a natural talent of singing and surfing which led him to follow in his father’s footsteps, as well as becoming a well-known artist of this generation. Singing and song writing is not always easy, but he found a way to pull through with it. Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson reveled in some thoroughly unexpected success thanks to his debut record, Brushfire Fairytales. A collection of songs that the onetime pro surfer had merely played to entertain friends at beach campfires, the album reached the one-million sales mark in early 2003, less than two years after its release. Johnson's second career was, he admitted, somewhat of a drastic departure from the competitive surf circuit. "Surfing, for me, isn't really about sharing," he replied when Sports Illustrated writer Josh Elliott asked him about the differences between his favorite sport and the music business. "It's about finding a good little spot, private and perfect. Surfing's too special to categorize. It's not a language, not communication. It's just complete, even when no one sees it. But my music feels incomplete if I'm not playing for somebody."(Johnson). Singing is his way of feeling free and just letting go. It’s something he has been doing his whole life and always had it there to fall back on. As he continued with his singing career, he came out with many well-known albums. At the age of 14, Jack was the youngest person to qualify for the Pipeline Masters. Johnson was born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The son of well-known surfer Jeff Johnson, he took an interest in the sport from a young age - he began surfing at the age of 4. At 14, he became the youngest invitee to make the surfing finals at the Pipeline Masters on Oahu's north shore. He showed the world what he was capable of by being invited to such a big competition. Many of his music videos consist of him surfing. Unfortunately, his surfing career ended when he had a horrible accident during the competition. Although during the time that he was recovering, he focused more on his music and ever since then, he has been singing and song writing.

With all the money he makes, he decided to put it to good use and give back to his community to make a difference. Jack Johnson wanted to make his community a better place, so he held many charity events to help support that. “The Campaign, started by Jack Johnson, brings together a community offering resources, tools, and inspiration to change the world.”(All at Once Campaign). Jack Johnson is not your typical celebrity that flaunts their money. He does so much for his community and really gives back. He holds charities while he is on tour for places all around the world. He isn’t asked to support these charities, he does it all on his own. “Set up by Jack Johnson and his wife, Kim, the Kokua Foundation supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawaii.”(All at Once Campaign). Not only does he get support from his community and foundations,, but he is also supported by his wife. Jack Johnson is considered a selfless man who wants the best for everyone around him. Because he does all this charity work, he is recognized as an inspiration and a hero.

Jack Johnson expressed his talents through signing and surfing, as well as devoting himself to making his community a better place. Johnson is just like any one of us that wants to make a difference, except he actually goes out there and does it. He fulfilled his dreams and still continues with them today. Jack Johnson inspires me in so many ways. If I had his talent and his money, I would fund and help out with my community as well. He shows me what a difference I can make and that I can always follow my dreams. Through his music, his surfing, and his charity work, Jack Johnson is my hero.