Daniel Foster Johnston

Daniel Foster Johnston died Sunday, October 6th, 2024 of complications from a head injury due to a fall. Family and friends were there to bid him farewell.

He was born September 3rd, 1951 in Memphis, TN to William Beard and Ann Foster Johnston. He attended Catholic High School, and received a BA in music from the University of Memphis.

Daniel was a consummate artist devoted to his music. He developed a unique finger picking style with influences of classical, folk, rock, jazz, and Appalachian music. His first CD, “From the Attic Window”, was his homage to his beloved home near Grandfather Mountain in the Smoky Mountains near Linville, NC. Daniel also spent ten years working as a recording engineer in Nashville, TN working with such notables as Kenny Rogers.

Daniel went back to school earning a Masters of Social Work from the University of Memphis, working for Family Services in Memphis, Eastern Arkansas, and finally in North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Daniel always remained immersed in his music, playing and singing with a diverse group of professionals in festivals and events around the northwest North Carolina area. He loved mentoring young and older family members, always willing to patiently share his copious knowledge of musical theory. He and his musical gifts will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his older brother, William Beard Johnston, Jr and wife, Jane, of Berryville, VA, his sister, Katherine Ann Mattingly, of Campbell, CA, and his younger brother, James Madison Johnston and wife, Andrea, of New York City.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation www.parkinson.org