With an infectious smile and a voice that belies her age, 14-year-old Nicole Johnson’s career is suddenly riding the fast track. The catalyst for it all was a song written by Scott and Lisa Feske and Scott Innes called, “If Jesus Came Back,” with the simple, yet powerful, l desire to put Christ back in Christmas. Airplay started with one local station and spread to several, leading Nicole to opportunities she hadn’t expected, but is ready for. “I went from performing just a couple times a year to performing eight times in two weeks in December, including opening for the amazing group Lonestar at the hard rock casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.” The Florida born Nicole, who moved to Louisiana when she was two, didn’t grow up knowing singing would play such an important role in her life, neither her elementary nor middle school had a choir, so she recently began taking lessons. Finding her voice helped Nicole find herself too, “Elementary school was tough, considering the fact that I was always getting picked on. I was a little bit heavier and was always the outcast. Junior high was better, but everyone was so into their cliques. In high school, all the drama calms down and you see who people really are. Thank God for that. “ “I’m not like every other 14-year-old girl out there, but I am the typical teen. I get grounded from my phone for not cleaning my room and being sassy. I love to hang out with my friends and family and just relax. I love to play basketball and volleyball for the high school. I almost always have my cell phone with me, I love texting. And,” she adds laughing, “I love to eat! Seafood stuffed mushrooms, great mashed potatoes, good Mexican and, of course, Louisiana crawfish boils!” As Nicole’s life grows busier, Nicole finds love and support in those around her, “I have a mom, Shannon, a dad, Joe, and a brother, Joey who is 13. We try to do a lot as a family, so we stay close. My parents have really shaped who I am, but they have always allowed me to be who I want to be.” Also important is, “the best friend I’ve ever had, Ashley. She likes me for who I am and has supported me with everything I’ve done. “ Nicole is more than a pretty face and a powerful voice; she is wise for her age, too. She has learned to, “be around people who are not jealous, but are excited for what you can do. It shouldn't be a competition with your friends. There are things my friends can do that I can't, I support them 100%. Love who you are and what God has given you. I sing because I love it. God gave me a gift and He gave it to me so I could share it with the world. I want my music to help people and really express how I feel and how others may feel at points in their life.” She is depending on that wisdom to keep her grounded in whatever the future holds for her, “I am going to look for the right songs that I feel passionate about, do some acoustic cuts and then see what feels right. It is super exciting to think your career could be what you love doing.” But most importantly she adds, “I’m going to stay true to who I am, no matter what anyone else thinks. “ Nicole Johnson plans, “to let my dreams take me to where I’m meant to be."