Cherilyn Johnston

Cherilyn Johnston is an award winning singer/songwriter, arranger, and worship leader.  Recently she was inducted into the 2023 Western Swing of the Southwest Hall of Fame. Her recent recording, “Out of Darkness”, is a country, western swing project, presenting favorite hymns and original songs in a joyful and refreshing sound. In 2019 Cherilyn was nominated by the Texas Country Music Association for "Christian Single of the Year" and "Christian Songwriter of the Year." In 2018 she was nominated by the Academy of Western Music Association for "Western Swing Female" and "Western Swing Album of the Year".

The past 19 years Cherilyn has served as the Band Leader and Worship Leader at the Lone Star Cowboy Church of Ellis County, Red Oak, Texas.  She has mentored other singers and musicians and believes it's part of God's calling for her life.

After serving several years in churches, Cherilyn began singing professionally and traveling with bands playing keyboards, guitar, and bass guitar.  She enjoyed playing and singing many different styles, including Contemporary Christian, Black Gospel, Classic Rock, Pop, Country and Western.

Cherilyn was born in Palestine, Texas, but grew up in West Columbia, Texas, a very small town just south of Houston. Music was very important to Cherilyn’s family since her mom played and taught piano, and her dad played guitar, bass, and sang in country and western bands.  Cherilyn started early in music, playing ukulele, guitar, and started playing bass guitar in church by age 13.

The summer of 1970 became busy when a youth revival was scheduled at her church for a week but ended up lasting for 3 months.  A youth band, Traveling Light, was formed and began playing at other churches in other towns every weekend, accompanied by their pastor, B.B. Hankins, and youth leaders.  This impacted Cherilyn and she decided to go to Southwestern Assemblies of God College (Nelson University) and major in Church Music, where she graduated with a BS degree in Sacred Music.