User:Johnny Mays/sandbox/Bioagraphy of Johnny Mays

Johnny Mays is an American author, singer/songwriter and global evangelist. Born in Russellville, Alabama, he began performing on stage at the early age 8 years old as a ventriloquist. At the age fifteen he was forming on local radio WERH AM. Johnny first came to California in 1962, prior to heading for Okinawa and then Vietnam. Four years later, he took up his dream to be a professional singer and musician. Johnny plays guitar and piano. For two years he appeared on The Forty Grand Show on Channel 40 for a Saturday broadcast to the Sacramento Valley. The owner of the Forty Grand Club, Lloyd Hickey also booked touring artists for the weekends. Johnny's band “The Johnny Mays Trio” (also known as the Rhythm Kings) backed them all. Stars like, Rose Maddox, David Frizzell, Molly Bee, Jerry Wallace, Freddie Hart, Buddy Allen and the list went on. He had some success, a couple of records, and finished his career performing in the road show of famous country singer Merle Haggard 1973. In 1973 his life took a major turn. Johnny discovered the Gideon Bible in a hotel room is Salem, Oregon and received the call to the ministry. Johnny’s ministry covered 30 nations and all fifty states in America over the past 44 years, with a majority of the time in Russia, England, and Thailand and recently China and Africa. During these many years he has been performing in prisons like Folsom Prison's Gray Stone Chapel and the infamous San Quentin Prison. He also has performed globally in conferences, churches. schools and colleges, radio and television. In 1993-1995 he had a weekly television program on Radiant Light Broadcasting in Richland, Washington. In 2005 Johnny became an ordained minister with the Assembly of God organization. His first AG Church was in a small farm community Dos Palos, California in the central valley of California, sometimes referred to The Big Valley. Besides being the pastor of the Valley Christian Center, Johnny managed the local radio station KDPT 102.9 LP FM. He hosted a daily drive show called Big Valley Morning Show. He was also elected to the city council in 2006 and served six years as Mayor pro-Tem. In 2012 he was elected the 26th Mayor of Dos Palos, California. Johnny has authored two books. The Achilles Heel of God in 2009, published by Xlibris. His autobiography, Leaving Woods Creek in 2017 published by NationaLight Ministries. These books are available online.