PARTNER PROJECTS
Johnnie Be Good
FINISH-LINE PRODUCING PARTNERS
Helping Bring an Important Story Across the Finish Line
STORYSMART is proud to serve as Executive Producer and finish-line producing partner on Johnnie Be Good, a feature documentary directed by veteran journalist and filmmaker Art Holliday about Rock and Roll Hall of Fame pianist Johnnie Johnson.
For more than twenty years, Art Holliday has worked to preserve and document Johnson’s remarkable story. The result is a powerful documentary that explores the life and legacy of one of the most influential yet underrecognized figures in American music.
In 2026, STORYSMART entered a partnership with Holliday to help guide the project through completion, audience development, and release.
Why We Said Yes
We believe important stories deserve the opportunity to reach audiences.
When we first reviewed Johnnie Be Good, we saw a project that already possessed many of the elements film studios spend years trying to build:
- A compelling and historically significant story
- Extraordinary access and interviews
- More than two decades of research and production
- A substantial body of footage
- A completed rough cut
- A passionate filmmaker committed to the work
Most importantly, we saw a story that deserved to be finished and seen by global audiences.
About the Film
Johnnie Be Good explores the life, music, military service, and legacy of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame pianist Johnnie Johnson.
Known to many musicians as the father of rock and roll piano, Johnson helped shape the sound that influenced generations of artists while receiving only a fraction of the recognition afforded to many of his peers.
The film features interviews and appearances by Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Michael McDonald, John Goodman, Taylor Hackford, Joe Perry, Paul Shaffer, Bruce Hornsby, Bob Weir, Chuck Berry, and many others.
What is a Finish-Line Producing Partnership?
Not every great film needs development. Some need support crossing the finish line.
A finish-line producing partnership brings strategic resources, producing expertise, audience development, communications support, and industry relationships to projects that have already completed substantial development and production work.
Much of the hard work is already done, and care must be taken to ensure it reaches audiences.
The goal is simple: Help exceptional stories reach audiences.
STORYSMART's Role
As Executive Producer and strategic producing partner, we support:
- Completion planning
- Fundraising strategy
- Communications and public relations
- Audience development
- Rights and licensing coordination
- Festival positioning
- Distribution planning
- Strategic partnerships
The creative vision of
Johnnie Be Good remains rooted in Art Holliday’s decades-long commitment to telling Johnnie Johnson’s story.
Are You a Filmmaker Interested in Partnering with STORYSMART?
If you're developing a documentary, narrative film, or other media property and would like to explore collaboration, we welcome the conversation.