The Central Kentucky music and recording scene changed dramatically last week with the passing of Kevin Johnson, who bore the nickname “Darth Fader.”
Kevin died suddenly Monday September 30th, survived by his son and his parents as well as many friends and millions who enjoyed his work as Chief Engineer for the Lexington-based Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour.
I’ve had the opportunity to interact with Kevin ever so briefly over the past couple of years and interviewed him last winter. That’s when the radio show Kevin co-founded with folk singer Michael Johnathon marked its 700th broadcast, right after moving into a new home.
The interview clips with Kevin that you’re about to hear were recorded the night of that first broadcast at the Lyric Theater in Lexington. The comments of Michael Johnathon were recorded outside his log cabin in the woods after Kevin’s sudden passing.