KRISTI JOHNSTON

Condolences & Memories (4 entries)

• Kristi was one of my best childhood friends and is one of the main reasons for my passion for music to this day. I recall sitting at the piano at both of our houses many times with her teaching me many classical pieces. We played badminton, music, and really anything and everything. I recently had a memory pop up in my mind based on something a family member said and now as I turn 50, I searched for a place to share her impact on my life as a young boy. RIP sweet Kristi. Roger - Posted by: Roger Gillespie (Childhood friend) on: Jan 18, 2022

• I met Kristi at the Commercial Hotel in Edmonton. It would have been late February or early March of 1998. I had just moved back to Edmonton from Kelowna and had been staying at the Commercial, as it was a cheap hotel on Whyte ave, where I was familiar. I had been playing guitar for a number of years, at that point, and had been busking on Whyte ave to supplement my cash flow. The week before Kristi player there, was the week that I had had a profound "AHA!" moment, and had decided to pursue playing electric guitar, and had found myself totally digging the blues. Then I met Kristi. At the time, being new to the whole scene, I didn't realize how unusual it was to meet a female guitar player of her ability level. I thought it was regular, I suppose. We really hit it off, and because I was living in the hotel, we hung out a lot together and it became a sort of thing when she was in town. She'd roll through town, and I would spend most of that time with her. I loved her a lot. I didn't meet another girl guitar player for a looooooooong time. I moved to the West Coast, and fell out of contact with her. I then had heard that she had been struggling with some stuff and was no longer gigging as a result. I was just sitting here thinking about some of the players back in Winnipeg and she crossed my mind, and I thought to see if I could find her on the internet. Dreadful. I really don't know what would have happened had I not met Kristi when I did. I went on to play electric guitar and play lead guitar like it ain't no thang. That was probably a lot because I met her at the exact right moment. I loved Kristi a great deal when she was on this earth, as I still do, and she means a great deal to me, not only because of our friendship and connection, but because I now know how uncommon it was for a female guitar player to have had a female guitar player for such a friend <3 I am sorry to have learned of this so late. I would like to pass my deepest sympathy to those people who are missing her. She means a great deal to me. - Posted by: Brandi Watts (Friend) on: Jan 27, 2016

• I met and talked with Kristi also at the blues jam at the bar across from the downtown U of W circa 1996/1997. I was a huge fan and she always found time to talk. Going through cd's I saw hers with her handwritten note "thanks for all the support" so looked her up and am crushed to learn she died in 2007. Kristi may you rest in peace! If your parents/family are able to read this you raised a wonderful daughter! I am truly shocked at her passing. - Posted by: Keith (fan from 1996/1997) on: Mar 24, 2015

• I found it very difficult to find anything on Kristi on the net. I met Kristi at a blues jam she hosted in a bar on Portage across from the U of W. My drummer friend (Rob) and I frequented these things just to play with talented musicians but usually we played with new, wannabe players. Kristi was not like that. She let us play with HER !!! Such a sweet person! Not only did she hone her craft but she encouraged others to do the same. She supported our efforts and encouraged us to try new things (like she did). I played at a ton of her jams and attended a huge number of her shows and always she greeted me as a friend and made it a point to chat a while. Occasionally she called me up on stage to play a tune or two with her band. What a rush! Kristi Johnson; talented, driven, personable, free spirited, and one of the nicest, sweetest ladies I have ever met. - Posted by: Greg Bishop (Fellow Winnipeg musician) on: Jul 15, 2014