Lew Johnson facts for kids

Lew Johnson (born around 1840, died 1910) was an African-American businessman. He owned and managed popular entertainment groups called minstrel troupes. These groups were made up of African-American performers.

Johnson's career lasted about 25 years, starting in the mid-1860s. He was one of the few Black minstrel troupe owners who had lasting success. Other Black owners often struggled. Johnson succeeded by touring mostly in the Midwest and Western parts of the United States. He avoided the bigger cities in the East, which were controlled by white owners. Johnson's troupes often performed "one-nighters" in small towns. Life on the road was tough for Johnson and his performers, as they sometimes faced unfair treatment. In 1886, Johnson tried touring in the East, but his troupe did not do well, so they returned to the West.

Lew Johnson's Minstrel Troupes

Lew Johnson's troupes usually had between six and twenty members. On average, there were about twelve performers. None of his performers became famous on their own, but they were very popular in the places they played.

Johnson often changed the names of his troupes to keep up with new trends. This helped his shows stay interesting to audiences.

Famous Troupes He Managed

Here are some of the minstrel troupes Lew Johnson owned or managed:

• Lew Johnson's Minstrels (1866)
• Lew Johnson's Plantation Minstrels (1870)
• The Plantation Minstrel Slave Troupe (1875)
• Bishop's Female Georgia Minstrels (1879, he managed this one)
• Lew Johnson's Original Tennessee Jubilee Singers (1881)
• Lew Johnson and William Smallwood's Colored Combination (1881)
• The Black Baby Boy Minstrels (1886)
• The Refined Colored Minstrels and Electric Brass Band (1890)

Images for kids

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  Lew Johnson