I was recently given these two lovely photos from the estate of Joy Malmgren, a long time MJ friend. She was associated with the Extempore Coffeehouse in Minneapolis in the 1970's. Her note is the photographer was Rob Larson. The thinking was these were taken at the Extemp but a comment "As I look closer at the picture I believe the mics do not look like ones from the Extemp at that time".

I'm dating these to around 1972 because I have many other photos where he's wearing that plaid shirt though I haven't been able to completely identify any of them with the exact date. They could be 1973 or 1974 instead. The photos are on the Concert Photos 1970-1999 page.

Michael Johnson - In Concert
Charlotte's Web,  Rockford IL 9/14/1972

Thanks to Gil for recording it and sharing it with me.

https://youtu.be/_N2r5BRqi20

Song list:
You've Got to Be Carefully Taught (Rodgers & Hammerstein)
My Opening Farewell (Jackson Browne)
Ugly Woman (Jerry Reed)
The Number and the Name (Steve Gillette)
Garbage Can (Ted Anderson)
See You Soon (Paul Johnson)
Rooty Toot Toot for the Moon (Greg Brown)
Study in E Minor (H. Villa Lobos)
Gimmie That Wine (Jon Hendricks)
In the Name of Love (Estelle Levitt, Kenny Rankin)
In Your Eyes (Crow Johnson)
Got You Covered (Biff Rose & Michael Johnson
For Free (Joni Mitchell)
Waitin Around to Die (Townes Van Zandt)
Little Paper Ball (Jon Hendricks)
Take Five (Paul Desmond, Dave Brubeck, Iola Brubeck)
Song of Old Lovers (Jacques Brel)
Bouree in E Minor (J.S Bach)
Gravy Waltz (Ray Brown, Steve Allen)
Wilson Girl (Michael Johnson, Ted Sherman, Mark Henley)

MJ's first single in 1965. Photo of the single and of the royalty check is in the video. Thanks to Chris for remastering it!

https://youtu.be/kyhKd6FOWZQ

In college, he entered a nationwide talent contest sponsored by Columbia Records and WGN radio in Chicago. One of the judges was Judy Collins, who has since become a great influence and good friend. 

He moved through local, regional and national competition and won the whole thing. The prizes were a week's booking in the It's Here coffeehouse in Chicago and a record on Columbia subsidiary Epic Records. 

"I was in my sophomore year and walked out of college during finals, never to return," he said. "Then I learned that it was a privilege to play at the It's Here so they didn't pay me. And the record, called 'Hills' after my one and only original composition till then, sold 23 copies. I got a royalty check for 11 cents, which I still have. Columbia wrote me weekly for three years asking me to cash it so they could bring their records up to date, but I'll cash it when I need it." 

The painful-to-remember lyrics of that first song went along the lines of "Rolling hills with purple hue/silver clouds caressed with blue." He's at pains to point out that his writing style, like his fingering technique, has matured.

Michael Johnson - Little Bird, November 1969
Songwriter: Jerry Jeff Walker
Song 6 of 6 (recorded at family's house with kitchen sounds)

https://youtu.be/uv56CwsaahY

This was the second song Jerry Jeff Walker wrote. Michael's version was learned off JJW's first recording of it, on his Mr. Bojangles album.

Michael Johnson - Song For Canada, November 1969
Songwriter: Pete Growski & Ian Tyson
Song 5 of 6 (recorded at family's house with kitchen sounds)

https://youtu.be/CY8K6LNrfKE

On Dec 11, 2009, at 12:54 PM, Johnson Michael wrote:
Do you know "Song For Canada"?  I think that's the title and I think Ian Tyson wrote it.  

"How come we can't talk to each other anymore?
Why can't you see I'm changing too?
We've got by far too long to end it feeling wrong
And I still care too much for you

etc.
But I don't know the chorus and subsequent verses.
Any way you could get them to me?

Stay warm,
Mj

On Dec 11, 2009, at 1:22 PM, Cindy McArthur wrote:
Never heard of it. Look on google.

On Dec 11, 2009, at 6:54 PM, Johnson Michael wrote:
Got it.  It's a great song.  Can't believe you don't know it.  I used to do it years ago.

(My not so helpful/friendly phase.)

Michael Johnson - Albatross, November 1969
Songwriter: Judy Collins
Song 4 of 6 (recorded at family's house with kitchen sounds)

https://youtu.be/7PcM5XLykBA

Thanks, John, for motivating me to start adding more music after a month. After the November 1969 series, I'll be adding The Unicorn Song, a fan favorite, and Hills.

November 1969
Songwriter: Traditional
Song 3 of 6, (recorded at family's home)

https://youtu.be/o9LIvW4wblk

Learned from Judy Collins

November 1969
Songwriter: Traditional
Girlfriend Barrie sings harmony
Song 2 of 6, (recorded at family's home)

https://youtu.be/qyUuF3TbFRw

Learned from Judy Collins

Michael Johnson - The Little Land, November 1969
Songwriter: Malvina Reynolds
Song 1 of 6 (recorded at family's house with kitchen sounds)

https://youtu.be/ISV6ltr6qRE