People used to play music in the street all the time, though that practice has all but died out. But if you go to the Cardinal Forest Plaza there is one song filled soul who continues on this time held tradition. His name is Jonnie Jonson.
“I grew up in southeast Georgia. I remember 53 years ago I saw a band marching through my town and by the time they got to the end of the street I knew I needed a trumpet,” said Jonson.
Street art or performing music on the street has become a lost art form, especially in more suburban areas like Springfield.  By playing music in the shopping center he is keeping alive the ideas that musicians have held for years. Jonson has spent a lot of time working to obtain the music knowledge that lets him play the music he loves.
“I knew it would take 20 years to set the music I wanted. I think I was very lucky,” said Jonson.
As far as learning how to play any kind of instrument, any musician can tell you that it takes quite a bit of focus to master anything.
“I was very serious about everything. I would stop at red lights and practice,” said Jonson.
Jonson brings something to the community that has not been here in a while, he has brought back the creativity and hope that communities have had for centuries. People walk by him on the street and stop to listen to him play. How many little children have walked by and been inspired by Jonson that might go home now to find a new passion in music?
It is an inspiring thing to see someone so passionate about something that they have spent years practicing their craft.
“If I wasn’t playing here, then I would be playing at home. I love to play [here] for the kids,” said Jonson
Music is a universal language that can transcend any and all kinds of languages. On top of being a musical artist, he is also an engineer.
“I studied engineering in NY. The companies I worked for they did not want you to do your best; they were focused on quantity not quality. I ran my own company for 30 years,” Jonson.
Jonson is the embodiment of a renaissance man, a craft that has been lost in the ages. Maybe by playing in the Plaza he will be able to bring back a craft that has been lost in the sea of the modern era.
“I think I was one of the lucky ones…” said Johnson.