Scouting Rocks — Just Ask Renowned Musician Johnny Nicholas

If you’ve been a regular reader of Chief’s Corner — where content largely focuses on how Scouting helps develop the character and leadership skills of young men and boys — you probably wouldn’t expect me to extol the virtues of someone whose Scouting career promptly came to an end when he tossed a cherry bomb into a latrine at Scout camp. After all, that behavior isn’t exactly congruent with the Scout Oath or Scout Law.

But then again Johnny Nicholas, the well-known musician — and big fan of Scouting, might I add — who suffered that very fate, isn’t exactly a regular guy.

Among his many accomplishments, Johnny was a member of the Grammy Award-winning group Asleep at the Wheel from 1978-1980. He’s also played with an incredible array of music legends during his four decades in the business. A few weeks ago, I had the chance to meet him at his Hilltop Cafe restaurant in Fredericksburg, Texas, when our National Operations Cabinet gathered there for dinner. I had a great time talking with Johnny, learning about his passion for Scouting — and of course, listening to him play music.

Despite his sometimes unruly ways as a youth, Johnny recognized the importance of our movement and Scouting’s ability to develop the character of our members. In fact, he went on to raise three Eagle Scout sons (quite a feat!) and the family also includes two Eagle Scout nephews; and today, Johnny continues to be a strong advocate for Scouting.

I’m always impressed by the number of people I’ve met who share the Scouting experience as a commonality. No exception is Johnny, a man who has performed with some of the most influential musicians of our time, including Howlin’ Wolf, BB King, Muddy Waters, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Pops and Mavis Staples, Delbert McClinton, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Jimmie Vaughan. And yet, every time we started talking about music, the conversation would swing back to Scouting and the positive influence it has had on his life.

How cool is it that one of our best ambassadors keeps such awesome company? It’s proof positive that Scouting makes a life-long difference in the lives of so many, regardless of their backgrounds or walks of life.

If you’d like to learn more about Johnny, his views on Scouting and his secret to raising three Eagle Scouts check out this video.

And if you haven’t before, you can check out the music of Johnny at his website. If you enjoy blues music, I think you’ll like what you hear.

Thanks for reading.

Mike