Some of us are headed into a season where we won't be able to stop winning even if we tried.

Ready checklist: 1. Making sure I know the set from top to bottom 2. Making sure my gear is on and working properly ( keys, bass, keybass, Ableton live, etc. ) 3. Making sure I know all the transitions, licks, playing the record 4. I always will have a backup plan in case of anything and I always know how to use any part of my rig to help me incase of any situation 5. Being calm in the moment and knowing how. to resolve the problem in a timely manner 6. Being professional even when things are going wrong Backup Plan : 1. Backup MIDI keyboards (49 & 61+ keys) ready to plug in if my main boards fails ( Keys, KeyBass and Aux ) 2. Backup patches pre-loaded on laptop (pianos, pads, EPs, leads, keybass, orch hits etc.) 3. Extra sustain pedals & cables in bag 4. Stems saved on USB drives and phone 5. Printed or screenshot setlist + keys + arrangements 6. Secondary laptop setup for emergency playback situations 7. Second power strip / extension cord nearby 8. Duplicate Ableton session saved in a separate backup folder Preparation Habits : 1. Review set the night before 2. Test keyboard, interface, Ableton routing & click/cues 3. Charge laptops before departing 4. Communication with my team 5. Warming up my hands and my body + mentally rehearse transitions, licks and anything else I need to lock-in with for the show 6. Praying to God and mentally preparing myself before going on stage, also locking within myself and being READY to go

RYAN JOHNSON Professional Bassist | Content Creator | Touring & Studio Musician 📍 Atlanta Georgia, USA Website: http://RyanJohnsonOnBass.com Instagram: @ay_its_ryan (11K+ followers) YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/RyanJohnsononbass (6K+ subscribers | YouTube Partner) ⸻ About Ryan Johnson Ryan Johnson is a professional bass guitarist known for his musical precision, adaptability, and artist-first approach. Raised in church and shaped by gospel, R&B, and contemporary music, he brings a deep pocket, strong musical instincts, and a disciplined performance mindset to every stage and session. Based in Georgia, Ryan has performed and recorded with a range of gospel and R&B artists, earning a reputation for consistency, preparation, and the ability to adjust seamlessly in real time. Whether in rehearsal, studio, or live performance, his focus is always on serving the artist’s vision while maintaining the highest musical standard. ⸻ INFLUENCE & REACH • Top 80 Bass Music Influencers of 2025 (Feedspot) – Ranked #41 https://influencers.feedspot.com/bass_music_instagram_influencers/ • Instagram: 11K+ followers • YouTube: 6K+ subscribers | YouTube Partner • Global exposure through live performance, touring, church, and studio work ⸻ SELECTED ARTIST CREDITS • Trey McLaughlin & SOZ (featured in videos with millions of views) • Travis Greene • Brittany B • Alexis Spight • Mali Music • Tre Sounds – Best Band in CSRA (2022–2024) Additional performance and video links available upon request. ⸻ DISCOGRAPHY HIGHLIGHTS • Draw Me Close — Bass Instrumental (Apple Music) https://music.apple.com/us/album/draw-me-close-bass-instramental-cover/1844150533 • Any Given Sunday – Live at the Tabernacle (Album) • Ghetto Feng Shui — Brittany B • Holes (Live from Forward City) — Travis Greene

Across all three lessons, the biggest win for me is that I stay sharpening my intention in my decisions when playing, showing up already prepared, clear on my role, and ready to serve the artist at the highest level. The key takeaway is that consistency, adaptability, and preparation aren’t just habits, they’re what separate good from trusted. Small details handled early create freedom in the moment.

Must-Have Gear - Primary bass - Fresh strings + spare set - Extra 9V batteries, cables, and Neve DI - In-ears with backup pair - MacBook + flash drives (for loading sounds if needed) Backup Plans - Backup bass included on my rider for just-in-case situations - iPad ready incase things change to make notes ! Because things do change ! Prep Habits - Parts memorized, not just learned - Transitions and cues mapped ahead of time - Tone matched to the artist and set - Walk in early, already locked in and ready to go