While most of your Monday afternoons may be spent in crowded lecture halls or a half-empty library, the Illini Union Courtyard Café offers a change in scenery by hosting Jesse W. Johnson, acoustic guitar player, every Monday at noon.

After playing for a semester last year at the Courtyard Café, Johnson will return every week this semester for hour-long solo performances. He plays acoustic guitar, harmonica and sings. Along with his own songs, Johnson also plays a couple covers during his show.

“I really like (playing at the Union) because it’s kind of a challenge to me. When you’re in here studying, you don’t always want there to be music. My goal is to get the attention of as many people as I can,” Johnson said.

One student that Johnson caught the attention of is Linnea Lukatch, freshman in LAS. Recently learning how to play guitar, Linnea said she likes watching his hands to see how he plays certain notes.

“This is definitely the kind of music I’m in to,” she said, “and he played Bob Dylan, I love Bob Dylan!”

Johnson, who grew up in Springfield, first started playing guitar after he went to his biggest idol Neil Young’s concert.

“I’d spend hours jamming to Neil Young songs in my room,” he said. “Probably drove my parents crazy.”

While his parents may have had to suffer through his learning stage, Johnson now entertains students and fans whenever he gets the chance. He said his first performances were open mic nights in Champaign during his freshman year. Now, Johnson has recorded his first solo album, “Home to Roast,” which is available for purchase on iTunes.

After just earning his masters degree, when Johnson isn’t working on getting his thesis published, he continues playing music. When performing alone, he plays acoustic. Johnson also performs with his band, Jet W. Lee, at local Champaign bars as well as Chicago venues. He describes Jet W. Lee’s music as being “straight up rock-n-roll.”

Johnson’s acoustic style might be viewed as more fitting for the Courtyard Café scene. Haley Franks, junior in Business, said that she likes how Johnson’s music is mellow enough to still allow students to study without getting too distracted.

In the future, Johnson plans on continuing his music career. He wishes to keep playing and touring with his band. Trying to find a job, such as working in a lab, related to his degree in Molecular Biology is also in his plans.

“In this day in age, it’s only smart to have a ready backup plan at all times,” Johnson said of his plans of searching for a part-time job.

For at least the rest of this semester, Johnson will stick around the Champaign area and continue to play at the Courtyard Café and local bars.

“I just want to put in my time and get as far as I can with it,” he said.