Jamey Johnson Releases First New Recording in 8 Years
Unexpectedly and without any explanation, Jamey Johnson has released his first truly new recording in over eight years. On Friday, October 16th, Johnson’s take on “America The Beautiful” populated on streaming sites without any fanfare or media push. And though it’s not an original song, it comes as a welcome surprise to Jamey Johnson fans who’ve been starved for anything new from the songwriter for a long time.
Starting off sedated, slow, and acoustic, with just Jamey and his guitar, the five-minute rendition builds to a full band that includes saxophone and flute, and all of the original verses of the patriotic song written by Katherine Lee Bates in the late 1800’s, and popularized in modern times by Ray Charles.
Though Jamey Johnson has said nothing in accompaniment of the release, perhaps he’s saying exactly what he wants to say simply by releasing the song at a time when political acrimony is at an all-time high in the modern era, and racial tension in the United States is at fevered levels. Having served in the Marines for eight years before launching his country career, Johnson has commonly shown both his patriotism and appreciation of songs from the American songbook, regularly singing Woodie Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” in concert.
Despite launching a successful major label career in the mid aughts that saw Johnson mint a Platinum and Gold record, and win two CMA Awards, Johnson’s been mostly quiet on the new music front for an extended period. His last full-length project was a tribute to Hank Cochran in 2012. Before that, the double LP The Guitar Song from 2010 was the last time we heard truly new original music from Johnson.
In early 2015 after Jamey Johnson started his own label Big Gassed Records, he did release a couple of singles he had sitting on the shelf exclusively to iTunes, one called “Alabama Pines,” and another called “You Can” that was written around 2004 with Dan Couch. In 2017, Jamey cited a concussion he suffered years before for his lack of creative output, but said he was working towards improvement.
Despite the lack of his own output, Jamey Johnson continues to collaborate with other artists. Just recently he appeared on a single by Nick Norman called “The Cock Crows.”
No indication that the new track from Jamey Johnson will be linked to a bigger project. But it is good to hear Johnson recording music again, and he sounds as good as ever on “America The Beautiful.”
October 17, 2020 @ 11:11 am
“America The Beautiful.”….indeed.
October 22, 2020 @ 2:46 pm
I tip my hat, off to you again ,Mr. Johnson,ever since, I have heard your music ???? you have been at the top of my list of great country music singers. I haven’t heard one song, you sang that I can’t relate to, For this I thank you , and God ???? for you.. You are a legend in country music ????!!!!! Plus I have a Uncle Wayne Johnson that looks and acts and has been threw a lot of life’s situations just as you have.Thank you Mr. Johnson for your words and the greatest country singing that I can relate to.Mr Johnson you are a Hero of mine!!! Keep up the great work.
October 17, 2020 @ 12:41 pm
Pass! I’ve never been a fan of covers or remakes, I was expecting an album or at least an original song not a cover song. Bless his heart though but he can keep this song.
October 17, 2020 @ 12:52 pm
I at least hoped that it would be a new original song or a future album but just another cover or remake by him keeps turning me off. I don’t know if he will ever make new original music again because of his supposed concussion, but we need “That Lonesome Song”/”The Guitar Song” Jamey back.
October 17, 2020 @ 1:28 pm
Thank you to Jamey.
This is Beautiful.
Semper Fi & much respect.
From the 101st Airborne
October 18, 2020 @ 6:48 am
When did the 101st become the marine corps
October 18, 2020 @ 8:28 am
?
October 18, 2020 @ 9:14 am
Where did Di Harris say the 101st was part of the Marines? If you can’t see one branch showing respect to another, well that’s on you.
October 17, 2020 @ 2:31 pm
This popped in my Spotify suggestions yesterday and I damn near shed a tear listening. Love it.
October 17, 2020 @ 2:45 pm
A great time for a remake of a song to try and unite what’s left of our country that has seemingly been forgotten forgotten by the democrats.
October 18, 2020 @ 10:50 am
Forgotten by Democrats?Trump called our fallen soldiers “Losers and Suckers”!I know,somehow that is okay with y’all.
October 18, 2020 @ 10:52 am
Folks, let’s please not with veering into divisive politics. Thanks!
October 18, 2020 @ 10:59 am
Sorry trigger,he Started it.the truth can be disturbing ,,,
October 18, 2020 @ 1:48 pm
Haha. You sound more like a child than a “patriot”. “They started it”. SMH.
October 19, 2020 @ 4:05 am
You’ll believe any propaganda thrown at you? You should be better than that.
May 6, 2021 @ 5:55 pm
In my opinion Jamey has the best voice in Nashville! His voice gives me chills.
October 19, 2020 @ 10:15 pm
yes lets argue over a turd or douche sandwich. seems like a good use of time
October 20, 2020 @ 5:20 pm
And your “proof” of that ever materialized.
October 17, 2020 @ 2:57 pm
I’m a patriot. This is boring.
I’ve all but forgotten about Jamey, and this won’t change that.
(Sigh)
Disclaimer: I’m fully aware that this recording was self-indulgent and was in no way intended to reignite his career. I’m simply expressing my reaction to it.
October 17, 2020 @ 3:16 pm
Cowardly Lion
October 17, 2020 @ 4:19 pm
He looks like a majestic beast. Sadly, he is this generation’s version of Willis Alan Ramsey. Release old recordings, we just want a new Jamey record. We WILL buy it
October 17, 2020 @ 4:23 pm
Beautiful job !! Thank you Jamey. ❤️
October 17, 2020 @ 4:24 pm
That’s great music, its too bad that some will hear it and try to unify the country instead of trying to tear it down
October 17, 2020 @ 4:25 pm
Beautiful version. Never disappointed by a Jamey Johnson cover
October 17, 2020 @ 4:29 pm
I say this as someone who could not have been a bigger Jamey Johnson fan during “That Lonesome Song” and “The Guitar Song”, but wake me when he does something original.
October 17, 2020 @ 4:31 pm
Man, what a great cover. For everybody saying it’s no good, I must digress. As far as I’m concerned, JJ has the best country voice of the past twenty years and anything he sings, be it a classic country cover, “In Color”, this song, or anything else, is a positive for real country music.
However, an entire album would be great.
October 18, 2020 @ 7:22 am
An artist is an artist in any form. I applaud him in his endeavor. It is a beautiful rendition.
October 17, 2020 @ 5:03 pm
I for one think that Jamey is one of the best cover artist ever. In “most” instances, he sounds better than the original singer on the cover songs.
That being said, it is high time for some originality. Jamey does not make it easy for one to stay with him.
October 17, 2020 @ 7:03 pm
Jamey is a true hero. I idenify with alot of his songs.been where he was and then some…Biker. Dangerous Curves U.S.A.
October 17, 2020 @ 7:25 pm
When you have a voice like him you can sing any thing you want and it will sound damm good that voice is constantly consistent he is the man .
October 17, 2020 @ 7:50 pm
Jamey’s music got me through a rough hospital stay and also introduced me to Cody Jinks, Ward Davis, Whitey Morgan and a ton of other artists. I got to see him appear unannounced at the Grand Ol’ Opry singing the guitar song with Bill Anderson and it brought tears to my eyes. I’ll stand by his music even though I desperately would love to hear more original music from him.
October 18, 2020 @ 5:21 am
Why Are People So Negative Regarding Someone Who Does A Cover Song – JJ Is In The Category Of Being – ‘A WIZARD & A TRUE STAR’ – LONG MAY HE REIGN – ✌????????♠️????♠️????????✌-
October 18, 2020 @ 10:56 am
Love your Todd Rundgren reference irishjohnny.JJ’s voice is still amazing.I loved the Cochran tribute album so much,but we have needed originals from the country music Jesus for so long.I hope he gets help from anyone in the medical field who can ignite that creative spark that gave us that lonesome song
October 17, 2020 @ 8:32 pm
Jamey is a patriot of America. If asked to serve I am sure he would. Fans have have been disappointed with no concerts. No entertainment.
Look at things from Jamey’s viewpoint. Music is the livelihood of a job for Jamey and his team. I feel he released the song to try to show people in America what we have taken for granted! Stand for the USA!
October 18, 2020 @ 12:52 am
Never clicked so fast for anything before. I believed in new original music but anyway new JJ stuff is always welcome!
October 18, 2020 @ 4:07 am
Not to take anything away from Jamey- I LOVE his voice, but Springsteens take on This land is Your Land is by far, the best ever-
Its hard to imagine, or know, or even guess where inspiration comes from, what sparks it, etc., but, when it comes, come it does and it’s as feeling like no other. Witnessing it is beholding a wonder- a one off song allows that.
Good job, Jamey
October 19, 2020 @ 7:13 am
Springsteen cant sing through the mouth full of dicks.
October 19, 2020 @ 1:53 pm
Stay classy Mike Honcho…
October 18, 2020 @ 5:19 am
Maybe Johnson has just run out of things to say. It happens. Some artists have a finite amount of talent/outrage/insight/narcissism or whatever fuels their art, and once they burn it out, their incentive or passion or energy for creating art is gone. Eight years is a hell of a long time.
October 18, 2020 @ 6:13 am
I absolutely LOVE Jamie Johnson’s voice no matter what he sings. Of all times when America is in such chaos I think it’s welcomed to hear Jamie sing this patriotic song with his beautiful voice. ????????
October 18, 2020 @ 8:19 am
I don’t get all the carping going on here about Jamey doing a “cover”. Yeah, I’d enjoy a new album from him, but there are some here using the word “cover” to denigrate this effort. If the song was written in 1910, every recording that’s ever been done in the last century has been equally unoriginal, including the hit by Ray Charles. If you all are so against unoriginal material, why not go over to the Sturgill review and rain on his parade for covering himself?
October 18, 2020 @ 11:37 am
Because it has been a decade since he released anything original? I don’t think anyone has an issue with Jamey Johnson recording a cover song, I think the issue is that for the past decade that has been all that he has done. An artist re-recording his old songs with a new sound can be interesting and fun to listen to, but if that artist refuses to release anything new and just relies on cover material I think fans can be understandably annoyed at this point.
I’ll be more blunt. If Jamey Johnson released new material last year and then released this cover, fine, but it’s been a decade now since he has put out anything original/new. I have no issue with fans that stick with the guy, but I would hope even the most ardent of Jamey Johnson fans would understand that plenty of folks like me are past tired of waiting around for him to put anything new out.
October 18, 2020 @ 8:25 am
Correct me if I am wrong, but Jamey did serve in the Marines in his days after college, before he moved to Nashville.
October 18, 2020 @ 8:40 am
Yes, he served in the Marines for eight years as a corporal.
October 19, 2020 @ 9:19 pm
From what I’ve gathered or seen his eight years were in the Marine Reserves – so while he did a bootcamp way more hellish than mine in the Navy, he was basically free for his eight years outside the basic reserve commitments to pursue music. And then bailed when in contract ended in ’03, when it got really hairy and when all of us active folks were pulling multiple gulf deployments. So he’s done more than most but to blindly say he did eight years as a Marine implies alot more than what was actually served.
October 18, 2020 @ 9:04 am
odd …his output ..or lack there-of.
this crosses my mind from time to time though: this guy is fairly well-known and, I’d say , fairly respected by artists and the biz. if he doesn’t have original material , or chooses not to record his own material , he could be a way for great writers to have their work exposed in much the same way that willie has been over his lifetime. certainly the song posted here could be part of a collection along those lines . but i’m thinking more about how he might be of service to here-to-fore unknown writers, in this respect ,while supporting the importance of GREAT ( COUNTRY) songwriting …again ..as willie does so successfully .
of course this may be a mantle JJ is not interested in carrying and that is understandable . it surely takes guts and is a career risk to stand up to the industry and call out shit songs by the hunts , aldones, bryans , big little towns ,urbans ,etc which get undue , unwarranted exposure simply based on the artists singing them. I think JJ could be a larger force for the good guys in the biz without having to pen another tune .
October 18, 2020 @ 10:24 am
Have always been a fan, most likely always will. Even more so now knowing he is a Marine. That’s right I said is, because once a Marine ALWAYS a Marine. “Semper Fi”
Loved it keep up the good work!!!!
October 18, 2020 @ 12:55 pm
82-86 2nd LAAM Btn.
Semper Fi
October 18, 2020 @ 1:41 pm
And that said their is what we have become today ????????✌
October 18, 2020 @ 2:28 pm
I loved his version of Music Man at the tribute concert for Kenny Rogers. I had never heard of him before that. He had people in the audience in tears – record that one Jamey.
October 18, 2020 @ 5:12 pm
Not everyone feels the need to turn there passion into a job
October 18, 2020 @ 5:52 pm
Jamey sounds like a friend and neighbor.
Besides, it’s “America the Beautiful,” what do you want, some crazy harmonic sh*t? Sing it straight like you mean it. That’s what he does, and he doesn’t strain.
I look forward to hearing the rest of the album.
O beautiful, for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life
Great lines. Almost as great as those in our national anthem.
October 18, 2020 @ 7:53 pm
I Love it… My take is ,he is trying to remind us…AMERICA IS BEAUTIFUL, FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA!!!! Dont bash just enjoy.
THANK YOU JAMIE….IM A TRUE FAN OF ANYTHING YOU DO … AND THANK YOU FOR THIS REMINDER..
October 18, 2020 @ 8:03 pm
I love Jamey’s music, but know little of the history. So apologies if this is old news.
But I was lucky enough to have dinner with him at some bullshit charity event. He seemed about as uncomfortable as me. He rarely spoke, but told a great story about growing up in a trailer park next to a golf course and the golfers looking down on him and everyone else in the trailers. When he later hit it big, he learned to golf playing with Willie and others. And he returned home and bought the golf course.
Regarding the song, Jamey’s voice sounds great as always. But if this is all that’s left in the tank, it’s time to buy a new tank.
October 18, 2020 @ 8:46 pm
I think the date of release is significant. I attended his concert on 10/17/19 in New York. He mentioned someone close to him passed away and he sang “Lead Me Home”. It was one of the most moving moments at a concert for me. His rendition of “America the Beautiful”, is just that, beautiful. Always love Jamey Johnson ❤.
October 18, 2020 @ 8:49 pm
I love Jamey Johnson.
Thank you for all the amazing music and we need a song like that to remind us what we are lucky enough to have.
October 19, 2020 @ 10:03 am
Been to four shows in the last couple years. He is one of the greats, great rendition Jamie, thank you.
October 19, 2020 @ 10:31 am
Pretty boring. The world doesn’t need another cover of this song. Looking forward to him coming up with some new original music though.
October 20, 2020 @ 9:48 pm
Love the voice and song. What I don’t like is the saxophone and flute sounds. Steel guitar and telecaster would have been a much better choice. Even fiddle, or banjo, or dobro…These tootin’ horns sound out of place in country music.
I’ve been a fan of Jamey since his song/album “The Dollar” came out (It’s still my favorite album of his) and I welcome anything new, original or cover, recorded by him.
I wonder why Jamey won’t record an album of new, original songs, written by other Nashville songwriters if he doesn’t want to write new songs himself.
October 21, 2020 @ 7:39 am
To ALL with negative comments,…GET OVER YOURSELF!! J.J. WAS & IS 1 OF THE ONLY TRUE COUNTRY SINGERS LEFT & IF YOU CARE ANYTHING MUCH YOU HEAR ON SO-CALLED COUNTRY RADIO THESE DAYS THEN YOU AINT ANY KIND IF COUNTRY FAN TO BEGIN WITH!!! JAMEY JOHNSON COULD MAKE SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW SOUND COUNTRY!! DID YOU EVER STOP TO THINK HE MIGHT’VE QUIT NASHVILLE B/C HE AINT GOIN FOR THEM TRYIN TO CONTROL & STICK THEIR GREEDY ASS HANDS IN EVERYTHING??!!!