Jamey Johnson Debuts New Song at Under The Big Sky Fest

There are many folks out there doing their damnedest to preserve the roots and traditions of country music. But if you were making a list of the top torch bearers, flame keepers, and folks that would lay down their lives to uphold the traditions of country music, Jamey Johnson would have to be at or near the top of that list.
After playing through some of his most recognizable songs, Jamey Johnson dedicates the balance of his live shows to playing old country standards, and this is what the assembled throng experienced as he took the Big Mountain stage at the Under The Big Sky Festival in Whitefish, Montana Saturday night (7-16).
After playing “High Cost of Living,” “That Lonesome Song,” “Can’t Cash My Checks,” and “In Color,” he launched into a slowed-down, soulful rendition of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” that had everyone who was in attendance talking about it over the weekend as one of the most memorable moments of the fest. Johnson also played Billy Joe Shaver’s “I’m Gonna Live Forever,” “East Bound and Down,” and “Tulsa Time” before finishing his hour-long set with a Gospel tune.
With a band that now consists of a horn section, multiple lead guitars, and of course “Cowboy” Eddie Long on steel guitar, each song Johnson plays tends to be elongated. Some are frustrated with Jamey Johnson, wishing he would release new material. After all, his last original album was nearly 12 years ago. But the way he sees it, the old songs are more important than anything he could come up with, and he doesn’t mind being a vessel for them.
As Johnson said last year, “Townes Van Zandt’s not around anymore to sing his songs, so somebody’s got to sing them. Vern Gosdin, he’s not here today. Neither is Merle Haggard, and neither is George Jones. And without people like me out there covering those songs, they just stop. If nobody was singing Johnny Cash, there’s a whole generation that would grow up without Johnny Cash. And if you ask me, that’s not going to be a good world.“
But Johnson has been doing some co-writes since the release of his last original album, The Guitar Song in 2010, including with George Strait and The Steel Woods. And he did play a new song during his stellar set at Under The Big Sky Fest. “I don’t do new songs very often, but I wrote this one a couple of weeks ago. It’s about an old friend of mine,” Johnson said, and launched into the new song, likely called “21 Guns.”
It’s about a fallen soldier, and Johnson played it just by himself, acoustic. Johnson himself served in the United States Marine Corps for four years before launching his country music career.
Saving Country Music’s policy is to not share unreleased songs unless they’re exceptional, and even then, sparingly. A new song from Jamey Johnson is exceptional though, and perhaps may signal he’s starting to get more back into the songwriting game. There is a video of Johnson performing the song in Oklahoma earlier in the week, and he’s performed it a couple of other times as well. But for those who don’t want to totally spoil it before they see him live or the song is released in studio form, here are the lyrics below.
Sitting in this field of limestone
Watching flags wave in the
You know we’d love to take you back home
But there ain’t no place like this there
Preacher stammers through a nice verse
Does his best to eulogize
But times like this, there ain’t no right words
The rifles fire and your life flashes right before my eyes
And I don’t need no one to tell me you’re a hero
Hell I’ve known that every since you were young
There are no words to say how proud we all are of you son
Nothing says job well done like 21 guns
The dressed you up in your best uniform
Pinned your medals on your chest
That folded flag they gave your mama
Seemed to say we all know you did your best
But I don’t need no one to tell me you’re a hero
Hell I’ve known that every since you were young
There are no words to say how proud we all are of you son
Nothing says job well done like 21 guns
July 18, 2022 @ 11:07 am
I have tickets to see him next month, down in the Ozarks with Blackberry Smoke. I’ve seen BBS a bunch of times, but this is my first time seeing Jamey. I would be happy if they did nothing but country covers. Good to hear that he has at least 1 new song though.
July 24, 2022 @ 7:59 pm
I’ve seen Jamey 5 times and can say he is amazing. You’re in for a treat!
July 18, 2022 @ 11:22 am
I read those lyrics and it didn’t really move the needle for me but then I watched the video and when he sings it, it hits different. Guess that’s probably true of most JJ songs. What a talent.
July 20, 2022 @ 4:17 pm
Reading most lyrics don’t mean anything, but hearing them gives them meaning
July 18, 2022 @ 11:24 am
“There are many folks out there doing their damnedest to preserve the roots and traditions of country music. But if you were making a list of the top torch bearers, flame keepers, and folks that would lay down their lives to uphold the traditions of country music, Jamey Johnson would have to be at or near the top of that list.”
That would make you guys like, Soul Brothers.
You, & Jamey.
Have a Great picture of Jamey with a Cheshire cat canary eating grin on his face, from April 1st.
i was powered ALL the way down, was so sweet and quiet for 1 hour & 5 minutes.
The couples and parties in the area couldn’t stand it any longer & got me wound up.
Why is it that people can’t leave well enough alone, & just relax, when a single person is thrown in amongst them?
Anyway, they got it going, i mouthed something off, Jamey sassed something, i might have sassed something back, & our section was laughing and having a great time.
I love Jamey
July 18, 2022 @ 4:00 pm
I’ve always had a special love for the music of Jamey Johnson. When he released “In Color” many years ago, it was the first new country song I liked in at least 10 years, and inspired me to search for other similar artists. My wife of 62 years and I are both big fans of his music.
July 18, 2022 @ 7:48 pm
62 years! That is something to aspire to!
July 18, 2022 @ 5:59 pm
Jamey wrote “21 Guns” with Jim Brown and sang it at The Opry, during his first appearance after he was inducted.
It was a total surprise to hear something new that night. I’m extremely happy with the music, covers or originals. Having a hard time understanding fans pressuring artists to put out music. Enjoy what you have.
I’m grateful to see Jamey and the band as much as they play on the road.
July 18, 2022 @ 6:25 pm
Everything Jamey does touches me clear to my soul! And,he dang sure knows how to pick a guitar too. One of our favorite memories will always be of a Tanya Tucker concert he was a surprise guest at. It was a magical n quite humorous occasion. My husband said it best that night”Hes a good dude!” To say hes talented is a major understatement-hes the BEST!
July 27, 2022 @ 7:16 pm
My wife and I saw Jamey Johnson back on the 8th of July. It was great hearing 21 Guns live, took the entire crowd by surprise.
July 20, 2022 @ 2:35 pm
Jamey Johnson is old world country as I call it. The ones that could sing with just an old flat top guitar or an old worn out piano and sound awesome. I grew up listening to WWVA on Saturday nights, Here Comes The Sheriff and Hee- Haw. He truly stands amoung the legends.
July 20, 2022 @ 2:52 pm
: D Just like Conrad Fisher, with an old Wurlitzer organ.
Is it a Wurlitzer?
Anyway, you know what i mean
July 20, 2022 @ 4:21 pm
I don’t care if he releases new songs. I just want physical copies of his previously written songs and more cover albums. Nothing wrong with cover albums, we just want his voice
July 21, 2022 @ 7:11 am
If some label would have the guts, they would record that song and release it before Veteran’s Day (11/11) – I’m sure that even the powers that are in radio, couldn’t crefuse a single like this.
July 21, 2022 @ 2:21 pm
I was at Under The Big Sky when he performed this. It was truly amazing. It instantly took me to my Grandfather’s funeral and tears rolled down my face. The emotion that I had as I listened and watched him sing that song was something I had buried. Then the next song was of course, In Color, as you can imagine the tears didn’t stop. What a blessing to be there and for him to share his art with us all. Damn I love good country music! Hats off to Jamey Johnson and all the others saving country music!
June 22, 2023 @ 7:10 pm
I have some poems my dad wrote years ago that would make some absolutely true country cowboy ballads. If you read this, get ahold of and I’ll send them to you for review. They are true cowboy life. Brand inspectors, barrel racing and steer wrestling. I don’t participate in social media. So, email, phone or text.