Paul Johnson is busy. His full-time job is serving the Alabaster community as the Thompson High School Resource Officer. A very serious and giving career. Yet, by night he entertains hundreds of listeners as the lead singer in the band Twelve. If it sounds tiring, it is. If it sounds fascinating, well, it’s that too.
Johnson grew up singing in church and later karaoke with friends in college but never really saw it as anything other than fun. Yet in 2019, he was at Tootsie’s in Nashville, when a friend tipped the John Stone Band to let Johnson sing Chris Stapleton’s classic “Tennessee Whiskey.” On his way off the stage, the lead singer told Johnson, “You should be in a band.”
“I came home from that trip with a fire under me,” Johnson recalls, “So, I decided to form a band.” He named it Twelve—street slang for police, and he sat down and created a logo to go with the name. Today, Twelve features Johnson on lead vocals, Tim Martin on drums, James Chappell on bass, and Darrayl Park on lead guitar. While Twelve leans toward playing what Johnson calls outlaw country, their repertoire ranges from country to hip hop. “We’ll do anything from Johnny Cash to Run DMC,” Johnson says.
Twelve’s first gig was at Siluria Brewing in April 2019, and they’ve been going strong ever since, playing everything from bars to private parties to weddings. “We have a good following,” Johnson says. “Everything we do is geared toward getting people dancing.”
Alabaster Connection asked Johnson a few questions about the who, what, where, and why of his interesting careers.
Where did you go to high school and college?
“I went to Livingston University for one year (redshirting in football) then transferred to the University of Montevallo. I quit as a senior because I was also working full time but went back to college at 40 years old and got my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.”
What made you decide to become a police officer?
“I have always had a servant’s heart (got that from my mom). I looked into being a firefighter at a younger age, but life took me in a different direction. I worked for my dad in the floor covering business for many years. In 2008, when the housing market was dead, I saw an opening with the Alabaster Police Department. I was 35 years old and had no law enforcement experience. When I was offered the job, I vowed to be loyal to Alabaster. I have been here for 16 plus years.”
What are some of the things that fall under your responsibility as the School Resource Officer (SRO)?
“I have three main concerns and/or responsibilities. First is the safety of the kids and staff. Second is enforcing laws when applicable. Third, and most important to me, is to build rapport and relationships with these kids. Kids need to know they are loved. Unfortunately, some never feel loved at home. Kids also need structure and to know that actions carry consequences. I think about the fact that SROs are the last experience with law enforcement before they hit the real world. I want them to graduate with a respect for law enforcement, not a fear.”
Has the SRO changed over the years?
“It has definitely changed. We are constantly thinking and training to make sure the building is secure and our kids are safe from intruders, as well as possible threats from the inside.”
How would you define the leadership and students at Thompson? Is it a positive place to work?
“The leadership at Thompson is great, from the Superintendent all the way down to the faculty. The kids don’t realize it today, but the decisions made by the faculty are giving them every opportunity to be successful in life. The respect and camaraderie blows my mind. And the way the kids treat me and the other SRO’s is refreshing. I receive hundreds of fist bumps, head nods and hugs a day. It’s the most rewarding job in Law Enforcement.”
What church did you grow up singing in?
“I sang as a child at Pelham First Baptist Church. I recall singing a solo around 7 years old, and they played the wrong music. Pretty embarrassing. While in high school in Montevallo, I sang in the choir at Enon Baptist and University Baptist churches.”
Do your student’s ever come hear you perform?
“I have had students come see me perform at numerous family friendly venues, as well as at Alabaster’s CityFest and Jubilee. It makes me feel good to see my kids walk in.”
How did you find your band mates Tim, James and Darryl?
“When I first started the band, I asked a friend named Chris Newberry and his son to help me start something. We started playing a lot more than Chris wanted to, so he asked me to start looking for his replacement. My drummer, Tim Martin, is married to my cousin. He has been drumming forever, so I asked him to join me. I found my bass player, James Chappell right after his other band broke up. It was God’s timing. My guitarist, Darrayl Park, is an odd story. Darrayl was the first person to actually audition for Twelve. I loved his abilities, and he was going to be my lead guitarist, but he took a job in Tallahassee just prior to our first rehearsal. A couple of years later, he moved back to Birmingham, and I brought him on board. I have had some great guys who have helped me make this dream come true.”
How many gigs do you play a month on average?
“For most of the year, we average at least two gigs per week. During football season, we only play on Saturday nights because I work all of Thompson’s football games. However, we also play some acoustic gigs during the week.”
What was it like playing at the Alabaster Jubilee?
“I loved playing the Alabaster Jubilee, with the exception that it was miserably warm. I love playing events that are family friendly (and smoke free). And it’s really cool to see my students’ faces when they realize their SRO is a singer in a band.”