Religion News / Lighthouse Cafe and Coffeehouse
Christian artist happy to find a home
LOCKPORT — Johnny Juarez tried working a lot of jobs, but none of them really seemed to fit.
The 27-year-old Houston native was a landscaper, worked at a California airport and constructed cardboard boxes. He had a job in marketing and advertising when he decided to pursue a music career full time.
But he wasn’t worried about struggling to make a living as a musician.
“When what you’re doing is your greatest passion, everything falls into place,” he said.
Juarez, who once walked from Toronto to Buffalo to raise awareness of global childhood poverty, is performing Saturday night in Lockport’s Lighthouse Cafe and Coffeehouse, 555 Davison Road.
Juarez brings award-winning worship music to the venue that hosts Christian artists on a monthly basis.
He was recognized by the Toronto-based gospel organization MAJA Awards in 2006 and 2008 for his music.
His parents were Guatemalan refugees who moved to Toronto in 1984. Juarez started off playing drums and percussion in church. But he wanted to be a singer and a songwriter, so he started playing piano and keyboards around age 14.
By about 17, he was a member of a group called Pure Life and had made his first performance outside of church. The group performed Latin music and played at summer festivals in the Toronto and New York City areas.
Juarez said his career picked up about three years ago after the release of two Spanish-language CDs.
He moved to the Buffalo area about two years ago after frequently driving to Western New York to fly out of Buffalo Niagara International Airport for shows.
“You guys have got Tim Hortons and Swiss Chalet, so it’s almost like being in Canada, but not quite,” Juarez said with a laugh.
After the release of his album “Here I Go” last year, Juarez has twice toured Spain and parts of Portugal. He also has performed in Mexico and Central America, as well as Ontario, Quebec and along the East Coast.
Juarez, who lives in Hamburg with his wife, Vanessa, and daughters Janessa and Genesis, said he’s looking forward to Saturday’s concert because he’s frequently traveling outside the area to perform.
“Anytime I have the opportunity to do something local, I feel honored because I love this area and I love the people,” he said.
Even though it’s only been two years living in the States, Juarez said he feels at home.
“I feel like I’ve lived here for a very long time,” he said, “the people are so great.”
Juarez said he has begun work on his next album, “Thirst,” which he hopes to finish by the summer.
Terry Ford, president of Solid Rock Ministries, started the music series in the former sanctuary of Lockport Alliance Church in 2006. He said he put it together after seeing a need in the music community.
“A lot of artists don’t have a place where they can go and showcase their talent,” Ford said.
Saturday’s show starts at 7 p. m. Admission is $5. A “dollar menu” of coffee and finger foods will be available.
For more information on the music series, go online to www.solidrockministrieswny.com . To find out more about Juarez, visit his Web site, www.johnnyjuarez.com .
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