Jamey Johnson

“My Home’s in Alabama” was being piped over the PA in Joe’s Bar on Weed Street. I was a thousand miles from home and at least half that far from Alabama. The Chicago crowd ranged from the slightly buzzed to the fall-down drunk. They were all rowdy as hell as they sang about drinking and being “southern born and southern bred.” Chris Hennessee had already warmed things up with some outlaw style and a big personality, but even he’d admit that he received more than just a little help from the female bartenders pushing $5 Bud Lights and ice-cold Fireball shots. The music said ‘country’, but the venue said ‘club’ – complete with a VIP section and bathroom attendants. Joe’s Bar was not my scene. As much as I appreciated the old Alabama and Hank Williams, Jr. and George Strait in between sets, Jamey Johnson could not take the stage soon enough.

You might expect the guy who co-wrote “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” to be right at home in a place like Joe’s. You might expect him to be a complete douchebag. It would seem very likely if you’ve ever heard that song. But Jamey Johnson is the complete opposite. He is outlaw country. The man took the stage in a pair of jeans and a black hoodie. He wore his beard and his hair long. No flash, no attitude, no ego — just a man with an old beat-up guitar, some songs and a respect for the greats that came before him. His six-piece band was just as unassuming as the man himself. Like ghosts of country-western past, they erased the intervening years between ‘then’ and ‘now’…one chord and one lyric at a time. Jamey Johnson has proved he can write a pop country song with the worst of them, but what he chooses to write for other people, and what he chooses to perform himself, are very different things.

The set started with “High Cost Of Living”. It was a bold opener considering it’s one of his most well-known songs. It’s also one of the most honest songs ever written about the monotony of everyday life…and how trying to escape that monotony can lead you down a road that makes it look pretty damn good in comparison. The title track from that same album came shortly after, with a line that many in the crowd were able to relate to the next morning…

“What the hell did I do last night?
That’s the story of my life,
Like tryin’ to remember words
To a song nobody wrote”

It didn’t take long for Johnson to take things back though…back much further than his first album. I’ve seen him perform quite a few times over the years and he’s always been prone to cover songs. It’s almost as if he still thinks he’s an unknown — just another guy singing songs in bars for drunks. Or maybe he just gets bored singing his old songs. Whatever the reason may be, Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces” was the first choice of the evening. It was a great choice, but luckily for those of us who came to see Jamey Johnson perform Jamey Johnson songs, a long run of originals followed. “Cover Your Eyes” and (probably the best country song written in the past couple decades) “In Color” were highlights from the middle of the set.

There is no way to review a Jamey Johnson show without using the word stoic. I also can’t help comparing him to a country-western Buddha. He stands at that microphone and tells stories. That’s what he does. He doesn’t address the crowd directly, and on the rare occasions when he does, it’s a tips of his Red Solo cup or a gruff “thank y’all”. He did try to say something between “Between Jennings and Jones” and “Can’t Cash My Checks”, but the crowd was so loud that I couldn’t decipher it. Unfortunately, the crowd really started to suck around this time. As Johnson and the band worked their way through deep cuts and classics from Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, George Strait, and even rockers like Georgia Satellites and Bob Seger, people became more and more unruly. Girls gossiping at the top of their lungs…bros yelling at bros in the front row…cell phones swaying in the air, taking videos no one would ever be able to watch. But as things got messier, Johnson got more intense. It was almost as if he thrived on it. I’ve never seen him as intense as he was taking on “Turn the Page”, even though he had to fight for airtime against the incoherent ramblings of the drunk.

The show went on for two and a half hours. Johnson and his band left it all on that stage. I wish I could call out the musicians by name, but the older gentleman on the pedal steel and the multi-instrumentalist who picked up the fiddle were insane. The whole lot of them were true professionals and so much fun to watch. The night ended with Hank Williams’ “I Saw the Light”. It was another perfect selection, and although the crowd had thinned out a bit, those that were still in attendance couldn’t help but sing along.

Jamey Johnson is one of the best country singer-songwriters working today. The fact that he has not only graced the stage at events like the CMA’s, but also won awards, gives me hope for mainstream country music. Some might hold it against him for contributing to the crap by writing songs that he wouldn’t sing himself, but I can’t help but respect him. He could have rode the wave of fame that was about to pick him up a few years back, but he stayed true to himself instead. He released a double album in a singles-based industry, and then he followed it up with a tribute album and Christmas EP. He releases singles on youtube whenever he feels like it. Then he goes out and plays cover songs in country bars. The man plays by his own rules. If those rules allow him to write a generic song for a generic singer to sing, so be it. Isn’t playing by your own rules the very definition of being an outlaw? I believe so. That is why I believe that Jamey Johnson isn’t just following in the footsteps of outlaw country’s greats, he is one himself.

It seems that there are an abundance of country singer/songwriters around at the moment, but Jamey Johnson is one who really stands out for me. I have followed his career since the beginning back in 2005, and have thoroughly enjoyed hearing his music evolve and grow over the last decade.
Johnson had a strong interest for country music at a young age, and watching him perform, it is evident that he breathes the music. As well as his successful solo career, he has co-written for many prestigious artists, enhancing his experience and credibility.
The concert that I saw was epic. Johnson played almost all his hits and also some of his lesser known tracks, and intertwined the use of his guitar, and his session band flawlessly. His voice was as strong as ever, and didn’t waver for a moment in the 90 minute set. He also threw in a cover of He Stopped Loving her Today by George Jones, which was a real crowd pleaser. After the show, I was lucky enough to meet him, and this increased my opinion of him even more, as he was a genuine and lovely guy. I’d love to see him perform again.

Although Jamey Johnson has only been performing on the country circuit for less than a decade, he has successfully made his mark. The endearing and passionate way in which he conducts his performance has won him a loyal fan base and his reputation has spread well across the States.

His four albums have done well commercially and he hand selects the work he believes fans will enjoy seeing performed live, a majority of which comes from third LP 'That Lonesome Song'. He is also known for performing a large array of covers during his gigs, he has made it clear that Country greats such as Willy Nelson have had huge influence on his sound so this is his way of honouring them as such.

Fortunately for Johnson the audience seems perfectly happy to sing and dance along to the classics interwoven with his own work. There is an anthemic choral addition of 'Dixieland Delight' by Alabama and Johnson successfully demonstrates his devotion to this genre and the passion he has for both his own and others' music.

The show was very good. Could have been great with just a few changes. First I know country is casual dress, but there's a difference between casual and disgusting. Come on guys step it up a little. The stage was a mess. Wires everywhere, people walking around in back of the band creating a distraction and at times the band seemed somewhere else. The jamming sounded at times as if everyone was doing Their own thing. Some of it didn't sound good. A nice backdrop and better lighting would have helped too.
Jamey was great although I feel some of the songs he did last night were overwhelming arrangements. I like the recorded versions better. There's such a thing as to much.
It felt like there was a lack of energy in the crowd. The opening act is supposed to get the crowd energized, this one didn't.
As I said, the show was very good, but it could have been great!

One man's opinion.

I’m a huge fan of country music. But Jamey Johnson is on a whole other level. I felt like he took me school, then took me to revival; what amazing talent in these musicians! Sheer, raw, old school, pure, true blue country like it was meant to be. They just don’t make em like that any more. We loved it!

This concert was one kick ass concert and enjoyed every minute of it but was very thankful we were sitting where we were so we didn’t have to stand and could sit and watch the whole concert with no problems!!! Jamey gave us a concert to remember and well worth the money spent!!!

Amazing Show!!!
I am thankful I was there to see all the great talent. His Dad singing with him, was really special to witness. Love him and Alison sing together. That was another bonus suprise. Thanks for putting on a great show!!!

Show was fantastic! Thank you Jamey for continuing country music at its best. You did not disappoint! Venue was fun, good atmosphere. Small place for a concert, parking not the greatest.

But Jamey Johnson made it worth it!

Awesome concert. First time seeing Jamey Johnson, Craig Campbell and Chris Hennessee. None of them disappointed. Met Chris Hennessee. Great guy who was very sociable. I will be following all three of the music. Great show!

This fella gets better ever time I see him. Couldn't hear his guitar well this time, this dude has his own style of pickin that I really dig, but was still well worth the cash.