You might call him PJ Quartet, Patrick Johnson, or Pastor Johnson. To his family, he’s a husband and dad. But for those who follow quartet music, social media influencer Patrick Johnson might just be considered a divine connection. Johnson lives and breathes quartet music. He has made it his mission to give as much exposure as possible to a genre that was a springboard for many other styles of gospel music and is steeped in a rich history that can be traced back through the annals of time.
This writer first met Patrick at the Quartet Music Awards (QMA) last month. The first thing you notice about Patrick is his effervescent smile, laughter, and joy. This connoisseur of quartet music moved through the QMA space like a pied piper of sorts, pulling those around him into a space filled with passion, praise, spirited conversation, and unshakable love for the sound and culture of quartet. Fans and well-wishers alike engulfed him like that relative you’re so happy to see because he gets you.
Positively Gospel Media had a chance to speak with Patrick Johnson, who, not surprisingly, won QMA Content Creator of the Year.
PGM: We’re here with Patrick Johnson, pastor and rising voice on social media, who’s making waves in gospel quartet music. Patrick, what made you decide to step into social media?
Patrick Johnson: Honestly, it started very simply. I was just sharing my reactions to the music I love, the kind of music that speaks to me. I’ve got to give credit to my wife, because she was already creating content, reacting to old Motown and artists like The Temptations and Diana Ross. She invited me onto her platform, and I guess I started getting in the way with all my ideas! She finally said, “Why don’t you start your own?” So I did. I focused on quartet music because that’s what I love. At the time, I wasn’t deeply connected in the quartet world. I just knew the mainstream groups like the Canton Spirituals, the Williams Brothers, and other people I’m familiar with. But through sharing, I connected with a community that really embraced me. That connection made me feel like I had a place, a space where I was needed. And from there, things just took off.
PGM: Your growth has been incredible. What do you think led to that success?
Patrick Johnson: I really can’t explain it other than saying God did it. I didn’t start with a large following. I wasn’t widely known, just a small-town preacher who took pride in his work. I studied how to improve sound quality and visuals, and I just gave it my best. God handled the rest. People responded to the authenticity, and it just grew from there. I’m still amazed by it.
PGM: And now you’re here covering gospel quartet music—and you’ve even won an award, Content Creator of the Year. What does that mean to you?
Patrick Johnson: It’s mind-blowing. It really hasn’t fully hit me yet. I didn’t expect it at all, especially since I only started in November. That gave me just a couple of months in the year, so I had already counted myself out. But this community welcomed me, and this recognition shows me that I now carry a responsibility. People are watching. They’re looking to see what I’ll do next. Influence is powerful; everyone has it. But the real question is how you use it. I want to make sure I’m operating in the assignment God has given me and being a good steward of it. I’m grateful people appreciate me, but I’m really here to celebrate others.
PGM: One thing people notice right away is your energy. You’re always smiling, joyful, and inviting. Where does that come from?
Patrick Johnson: That comes from my relationship with God. He’s been so good to me. He changed my life. And when you love God, you can’t help but love His people. I genuinely love bringing joy to others. Music has always been a big part of my life, especially quartet. Out of all genres, it’s the one closest to my roots—where I come from. Some call it Southern, some call it Eastern, but it’s deeply impactful. A lot of music, even outside of gospel, has been built on the foundation of the quartet. Sometimes people forget the “floor” they’re standing on. But when you start to fall, you realize how important that foundation is.
PGM: That’s powerful. How does this journey connect to your sense of purpose?
Patrick Johnson: This space gives me life. It brings me joy. It’s helped me realize my purpose in a deeper way. When you have purpose, you should have passion, and that passion empowers you. It becomes a gift that keeps giving. I’m living out that scripture: “Your gift will make room for you.” And I’ve learned that it’s not just about money; it’s about creating space, having a voice, and gaining attention for a reason. The real question is: What are you going to do with that attention? What are you going to say? How will you use your influence? Right now, I’m just grateful to be used. I’m trying to stay close to God, to hear Him clearly, and not make moves without Him. I don’t want to mess this up—I just want to walk this path faithfully.
PGM: That’s incredible. Thank you so much for sharing your journey!
You can keep up with Patrick at Patrick Johnson or PJ Quartet. He also has a YouTube channel.
