Sunday, July 13, 2025
#1 News Source in Sebastian, Florida
SIGN UP FOR FREE NEWSLETTER
Sebastian Daily
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Restaurants
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Discover
    • Indian River Lagoon
    • Moving to Sebastian, Florida
    • Skydiving in Sebastian, Florida
    • Sebastian Riverfront
    • Things to do in Sebastian, Florida
    • What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida
    • 2024 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
    • 2023 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Subs in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarian in Sebastian
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian, Florida
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarians in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Restaurants
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Discover
    • Indian River Lagoon
    • Moving to Sebastian, Florida
    • Skydiving in Sebastian, Florida
    • Sebastian Riverfront
    • Things to do in Sebastian, Florida
    • What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida
    • 2024 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
    • 2023 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Subs in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarian in Sebastian
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian, Florida
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarians in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising
No Result
View All Result
Sebastian Daily
No Result
View All Result
Home Community News in Sebastian, Florida

Rob Johnson: The Journey of Sebastian’s Open Mic Maestro

Andy Hodges by Andy Hodges
Jul 18, 2023 / 4:51 PM
A A
Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

Sebastian’s local band, “Robert Johnson and the Mojo Commotion,” features an exceptional talent, Rob Johnson. Not only is he a part of the band, but he’s also been the host of over 450 “Open Mic” sessions, where he invites local musicians to perform at various venues in Sebastian, Florida.

Sebastian Daily, known for showcasing local musicians with its news publication, decided to learn more about Johnson’s musical journey. Each musician carries a fascinating, unique story; Johnson was no exception.

Johnson’s interest in music began in his youth, with his fondness for classic rock. “In my parents’ attic, there was a guitar. It always intrigued me,” he recalled. His musical journey formally began in 1987 when he bought a cheap acoustic guitar at a yard sale in Vero Beach. This purchase pushed him to take a music elective at Indian River Community College (IRCC) in 1988 as part of his journalism/art program.

“In the class, we got through Mel Bay’s 1st-grade book, which provided music theory,” he told Sebastian Daily.

Fast forward to 1993, while in Memphis, Tennessee, Johnson met a talented blues guitarist, “Bluesman” Sid Selvidge. Selvidge gave him some lessons, and Johnson decided to upgrade his instrument to a Martin acoustic guitar bought from a pawn shop.

Though he briefly put his musical interests aside, Johnson found his passion reignited in 2005 when he met “Skydive Pete,” who helped start what is known today as Skydive Sebastian. Pete’s encouragement to play stirred Johnson’s love for performance, reminding him of the joy that music can bring to others.

“So, I never really focused on music because of life’s other diversions. But, I kept working on songs I liked and hoped to play someday,” Johnson explained.

He got his first break in 2009 when a neighbor, who owned a bar, heard Johnson’s music emanating from his garage. It led to Johnson’s first paid gig at Morrissey’s, the neighbor’s pub.

After suffering a motorcycle crash on a track in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2011, a hobby he held alongside his music, Johnson reassessed his priorities. He decided to invest more time into his guitar during his recovery period.

“Since then, I have started a handful of bands and run a few jams around the Sebastian bars,” Johnson said. “In early 2015, I started the Open Mic on Wednesday nights at Pareidolia Brewing Company. This gig has been ongoing since that time. Amazingly that would be in the ballpark of 450 Open Mics,” Johnson said.

Like many musicians, Johnson took a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. A few months into the pandemic, Pareidolia Brewing Company constructed a temporary stage on a trailer for outdoor performances. Given the popularity of these performances, they decided to build a permanent one, aptly named the Sunset Stage.

Johnson can be found every Wednesday, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., at the Pareidolia Brewing Company in Sebastian. Be sure to stop in and say hello!

FEATURED EVENTS

To add your event, call 772-925-5221.
Jul 13
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Summer Concert Series w/ The Shaelyn Band at Capt Hirams Resort (Sandbar)

Jul 13
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Iris at Tiki Bar & Grill

Jul 14
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Julia Adkins at the Capt Hirams Resort (Sandbar)

Jul 14
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Open Jam Night at Tiki Bar & Grill

Jul 15
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Johnny Debt at Capt Hirams Resort (Sandbar)

View Calendar
Previous Post

Sebastian Daily’s Citizen of the Month Goes To John Rubino

Next Post

No Fatalities in US-1 & Roseland Road Accident

Next Post
Florida Highway Patrol

No Fatalities in US-1 & Roseland Road Accident

HOMETOWN NEWS

Sebastian City Council Votes to Replace Hurricane Harbor Building with Community Venue

Sebastian’s Exciting Community Weekend: July 11-13 Events

Fifth Annual Bottom Grind Offshore Fishing Tournament at The Old Fish House

Vermont Man, 77, Killed on I-95 Near Sebastian While Helping Turtle

Sebastian’s Dining Specials for July 7th – 13th

Publix Unveils Limited-Edition Sweet Heat Summer Menu

INFORMATION

  • About Us
  • Advertise Your Business
  • Contact Us
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Signup for Newsletter

CONTACT

Main Number:  772-925-5221.

© 2025 Sebastian Daily. All Rights Reserved. Sebastian Daily® is a registered trademark of Sebastian Daily, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Restaurants
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Discover Sebastian
    • Indian River Lagoon
    • Moving to Sebastian, Florida
    • Sebastian Riverfront
    • Skydiving in Sebastian, Florida
    • Things to do in Sebastian, Florida
    • What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida
    • 2024 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
    • 2023 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Subs in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarian in Sebastian
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarians in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing Report
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising

© 2025 Sebastian Daily. All Rights Reserved. Sebastian Daily® is a registered trademark of Sebastian Daily, LLC.