Jamey Johnson Basic Facts:
Name: Jamey Johnson
Hometown: Montgomery, AL
Country Style: Contemporary Country
Jamey Johnson Songwriting:
Before he was signed as an artist, he was a songwriter. As well as writing his own music, including his big hit single, "In Color," Johnson has penned "Give It Away" for George Strait, "Honkytonk Badonkadonk" "Ladies Love Country Boys" and "I Got My Game On" for Trace Adkins, and "Another Side of You" for Joe Nichols.
Musical Influences:
Alabama, Alan Jackson, Hank Williams, Sr., Hank Williams, Jr., Waylon Jennings, Vern Gosdin
Suggested Jamey Johnson Songs:
- Download/Purchase "In Color"
- Download/Purchase "The Dollar"
- Download/Purchase "High Cost of Living"
- Download/Purchase "Dreaming My Dreams With You"
- Download/Purchase "Between Jennings and Jones"
Similar Artists:
Some other artists with music similar to Jamey Johnson- James Otto
- Montgomery Gentry
- Hank Williams, Jr.
Recommended Albums:
Jamey Johnson Biography:
Jamey Johnson was born in Enterprise, Alabama, and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. He was influenced by acts like Alan Jackson and Alabama, as well as Hank Sr. and Hank Jr.After graduating from high school, he attended Jacksonville State University, where he dropped out after two years, and served in the Marine Corps Reserves for eight years.
After leaving the Marines, Jamey started playing gigs in various bars. One of his first gigs was opening for David Allen Coe.
By 2000, Johnson left Alabama for Nashville, and he self-released an album called They Call Me Country and started singing demos. He also started writing songs, and sang the demo for "Songs About Me," which he wrote, and was later recorded by Trace Adkins. He also made some connections, and one of them was producer Buddy Cannon, who helped him get a songwriting contract.
Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
Along with "Songs About Me," Trace Adkins also picked up Jamey's "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," for his album Songs About Me.In 2005, Jamey was signed to BNA Nashville, where he recorded his first album, The Dollar. The title cut was released as the first single, and went as far as No. 14 on the charts. The second single, "Rebelicious" failed to chart, and Johnson was dropped from the label's roster.
After losing his record deal, his relationship with his wife declined, and the two divorced. Jamey moved in with a friend, and lead a reclusive lifestyle, while working on his songwriting. It was during this time he co-wrote "Give It Away," which was recorded by George Strait, and which became his 41st No. 1 hit. It was also the CMA Song of the Year for 2006.
In 2007, two more of his songs, "Ladies Love Country Boys," and "I Got My Game On," were recorded by Trace Adkins, and Joe Nichols scored a Top 20 hit with another of Johnson's songs, called "Another Side of You."
Jamey self-released another album, called That Lonesome Song, and sold it online. Mercury Nashville took notice and signed Johnson to the label in 2008, releasing "In Color" as the first single from the album in March, and releasing the album in August.
The song peaked at No. 9, and Jamey earned three Grammy nominations for Best Country Album, Best Country Song, and Best Country Male Performance. In February 2009, the ACM nominees were announced, and Johnson was nominated again for Top New Male Vocalist, Single of the Year, and Song of the Year.