Da Pond Band, Family and Friends Remember Tra’vis Johnson

Advertisement

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – It was a night less about saying goodbye, and more about celebrating the life Tra’vis Johnson lived.

Friday night, family members, friends and colleagues from the entertainment industry filled Divine Kingdom Connection Ministries Church, coming together through music, stories and tributes to remember the man they knew and loved.

For his cousin, Sharatra Bastian, the loss is still difficult to process.

However, when she thinks of Johnson, she remembers his laughter, his personality and the joy he brought to their family.

Sharatra Bastian – Cousin of Tra’vis Johnson

“ He did exactly what he came to do. You know, gave everybody joy and laughter. Every time I saw him, I would laugh because of the way he spoke or, you know, the way he bounced around, you know? You don’t get that from everyone, and that’s gonna be a big miss in our family.”

Johnson was one of five members of Da Pond Band who died in the Independence Day Plane Crash.

He was known for his soulful voice and magnetic energy.

That energy is what Emile Sweeting, better known as DJ Rev, says he will remember most.

As the production manager for Da Pond Band, Sweeting worked closely with Johnson.

He says the band family is taking things one day at a time, leaning on the memories they shared with Johnson to help them through the loss.

Emile Sweeting – Production Manager, Da Pond Band

“ Tra’vis was a happy person. Always life of the party, always trying to make somebody laugh, trying to make somebody smile or whatever the case was. He never wanted dull moments.”

“He didn’t believe in dull moments or whatever the case was. So anytime you think about Tra’vis, you think about happy, happy time and a happy place, and he loved this band. He loved his colleagues, and he loved the Pond.”

That bond with the band was also on display Friday night, as Da Pond Band Lead Singer Shenia Roberts took to the stage, using music to pay tribute to her friend and fellow performer.

Roberts says Johnson was more than just a bandmate, he was a close friend and a constant part of her life.

While losing five core members of the band has been difficult, she says the large turnout Friday night came as no surprise, considering the number of lives Johnson touched.

Shenia Roberts – Leader Singer, Da Pond Band

“ The turnout is not a surprise. Travis was a beautiful person. He impacted a lot of people. He was just a beam of light, like everywhere he went, he had a magnetic spirit…”