Columbus promoter dies of kidney failure

As a boy growing up in the Elizabeth Canty public housing complex, James “J.B.” Johnson heard stories about his dad being a successful entrepreneur.

So the young man, who lost his father at age 5, started launching multiple businesses at 19, eventually becoming one of the biggest music promoters in Columbus.

Johnson died Feb. 19 at age 37 from kidney failure. His wife, Tashema, said he was getting ready for a kidney transplant when he succumbed to the disease.

A celebration of life will be held 1 p.m. today at the Columbus Civic Center, where Johnson had been a promoter for many events, including a Mary J. Blige concert held in October. He was also the promoter for a Tyrese concert scheduled for March 25th.

The Civic Center expressed sadness on its Facebook Page, stating: “...We have lost a great leader in the Columbus community, and the Civic Center has lost not only someone who has left an incredible mark on our facility, we have lost a friend. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers as we all continue to process this great loss. We know there is a big concert going on in heaven today. RIP “JB.”

The post received 2,000 likes and 525 shares.

On Wednesday, Tashema Johnson reflected on her husband’s life during an interview with the Ledger- Enquirer. She described him as a family man who had a big heart and always wanted to help the community.

“He had a really good, personal relationship with God for himself, and was just really good at business,” she said. “He set in his mind that he was going to do something, and he would do it.”

Johnson, a 1997 graduate of Carver High School, started his music career playing on the high school drumline. At 19, he started Jaybee’s Supershop, a car detail business at the corner of Linwood Blvd and 10th Ave. The Supershop Boyz were a group of men dedicated to promoting local entertainment.

The car detail business, now called First Class Tinting and Detailing, sits right next to the First Class Tax and Financial business, also owned by Johnson.

For 10 years, Johnson, along with his best friend Kenya White (00Kee), also hosted a hip hop radio show on Foxie 105 called Mr. Supershop.

He also owned a food trailer business called “Love @ First Bite.” On Wednesday, the bright red trailer was still parked in front of the family’s Midland home. His wife also has a hair salon and a real estate business. Their two children, ages 18 and 14, are also involved in the businesses.

“That’s the one thing that we kind of had in common,” Tashema Johnson said. “I just have that same entrepreneurial spirit.”

Tashema Johnson said Johnson told her that his father owned a body shop off Cusseta Road years ago, and had received royalty checks because he painted a car for Elvis that’s still in the possession of Chevron. That story, along with his desire to make a better life for his family, fueled his ambition.

“When his dad died, he and his mom had a really heard time,” she said. “That’s what gave him his determination because he had to be there to take care of his mom. That’s what gave him the drive to do things that he did.”

Jed Harris, a local businessman and former state representative, is a member of the civic center’s board of directors, and had been a mentor to Johnson since his childhood.

“Jaybee’s SuperShop Entertainment had become one of the largest promoters of concerts at the civic center here,” he said. “That’s pretty significant. Even this 61-year-old white guy was at the Mary J. Blige concert and the place was virtually a sellout.”’

Other performers Johnson brought to town include Monica, Fantasia, Keith Sweat, and Anthony Hamilton.

Johnson also played the drums at Grant Chapel AME Church, where he was an active member, and he sponsored several charitable programs.

Harris said he first met Johnson 26 years ago when Johnson was only 12 years old and a student at Richards Middle School. The young boy saw on television that Harris was running for state legislator and then called him to ask if he could help with the campaign.

After consulting with Johnson’s mother, Harris took Johnson to the state capital and involved him in the campaign. He also became a mentor to Johnson, and the two remained close friends over the years.

“His persistence caught my attention and I reached the conclusion that that’s a rare quality at such a young age,” Harris said Wednesday, mourning the loss of his friend. “He lived life with a purpose and was passionate about everything he did.”

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 8:33 PM with the headline "Columbus promoter dies of kidney failure."