A Quest For Success: Jurassic Joe’s Journey From Prison To Chasing His Dreams

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. (CW69 News at 10) — It’s the last weekend of Jurassic Quest, a traveling drive-through prehistoric event taking place in Gwinnett County through August 22. Folks venturing out to the exhibition will also have a chance to meet Joe Johnson, a baby dinosaur trainer who goes by “Jurassic Joe.” In a CW69 exclusive interview, he shared how he went from prison to pursuing his dreams.

Johnson, 32, an aspiring music artist and actor, is taking social media by storm, with fans tuning into his Instagram account to hear his latest selections and to follow his journey. “I do R&B music, hip hop, gospel, any kind of music. My energy connects to a beat, I lay the track down,” he said. He also sings the Jurassic Quest theme song heard by families across the country. “I’ve been traveling all over the United States now. I have a passport now, I have my license now,” Johnson said.

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Before now, the Jacksonville, Florida native was on a different path. “I was incarcerated at the age of 17. When I came home from being incarcerated in prison, I wanted to chase my dreams, which is my music dreams,” he said. That personal ‘quest’ brought him to Atlanta, a hub for entertainers, in 2015. It’s also a move that rendered him homeless. “I was living in my car right there at the Walmart on Panola,” Johnson said. “When I ran out of money, I went back to my city. But what I did do is not give up. I kept my energy positive, kept staying focused, kept praying.”

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He then took a temporary job with Jurassic Quest that turned into a permanent role. “My mom don’t have to cry or struggle or worry about nothing no more, that her son is in the streets. I completely changed my life,” he said. “As I’m traveling the world, I’m doing my music and my acting career.” Johnson says he’s thankful for all the support, and he’s encouraging others to share their stories. “If I can do it, you can do it too. Keep your energy positive. Keep God first,” he said.

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The singer and baby dinosaur trainer has also landed a small role in an upcoming movie and says he’ll keep us updated on his latest ventures.