Jamey Johnson Remains a Prolific Collaborator

The lack of new, original music from Jamey Johnson is still a sore subject for many, including Jamey Johnson himself. Over the years there have been a host of excuses for why he hasn’t released an album of original music for going on 13 years now, and no album since Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran in 2012.
But that doesn’t mean Jamey Johnson fans don’t have ample opportunities to hear his voice in new recordings, or to hear songs he co-wrote with others. Those opportunities have actually come up quite often, and if anything, seem to be on the increase as fellow performers seek out his services, and do so from across the musical landscape.
Just over the last week, Jamey Johnson has been featured on not just one, or even two new tracks, but three from a wide array of the roots music world. It speaks to how even though Johnson may still not be interested in releasing any new music himself, he’s more than open to participating in music with others. And with the way his billowy voice imbued with an authentic Southern accent adds such a rich tone to any track, you can’t blame his collaborators for wanting to work with him.
Singer Melonie Cannon is releasing a Vern Gosdin tribute album on May 26th. Melonie isn’t just known as a solo artist and the daughter of famed country music producer Buddy Cannon, many also know her as Jamey Johnson’s harmony singer on stage. Johnson returns the favor in the second track released from the Vern Gosdin tribute, Melonie’s version of “Way Down Deep.” Doyle Lawson also appears on the song.
Flatpicking maestro Tommy Emmanuel has just released a new album called Accomplice Two. Along with featuring great collaborative tracks with some of today’s bluegrass stars like Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, and Sierra Hull, when Tommy needed the right voice for “Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man),” Jamey Johnson fit the bill.
Written by Merle Haggard himself, Tommy Emmanuel’s version with Jamey Johnson singing lead also features Bill Payne and Jimmie Fadden. It’s definitely worth checking out.
“My accomplices on this album are all in a league of giants to me,” says Emmanuel. “They all inspire me to reach for the stars; to give my best while supporting them as they give their best. We all have a chemistry and electricity together when we play music. I wanted to capture this power in songs and performances that will stand the test of time.”
And though Jamey Johnson may not be the first person you think of when you consider covering The Grateful Dead, he’s exactly who saxophonist Dave McMurray though of when he wanted to put together his rendition of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter’s “To Lay Me Down.” It may have a bit of a jazzy intro, but as the song progresses, Jamey Johnson reveals himself as the perfect fit for the song.
“I first met Jamey when we were on the same tour together”, says Dave McMurray. “I’d look forward each night to hear him do ‘In Color’ alone, with just his voice and guitar, and it was always amazing. So when it came to finding the perfect vocal for ‘To Lay Me Down,’ I thought of Jamey right away. What he did with the song is so raw and emotional and tells the story in a whole different way. He got way inside the lyric and it just felt like nothing I’d ever heard before.”
The song also features pedal steel guitarist Greg Leisz, guitarist Larry Campbell, and bassist Don Was. It comes from Dave McMurray’s album Grateful Dedication 2 out May 19th.
May 5, 2023 @ 8:28 am
He’s a good man, Charlie Brown
May 5, 2023 @ 9:08 am
Was listening to Jamey this morning. I appreciate it when he makes an appearance here or there, but damnit, I need some new Jamey Johnson. I’d settle for a covers album. Are you listening Jamey?
May 5, 2023 @ 10:01 am
A Single Match – co-written -> JJ vocal -> https://www.facebook.com/AnthonySmithHQ/videos/140496925623125 enjoy!
May 5, 2023 @ 10:10 am
Marches to the beat of his own drum I guess.
May 5, 2023 @ 10:13 am
Check out Jamey Johnson doing Georgia on my Mind w/ Booker T and Warren Haynes at Willie’s 90th. Left the 15k + in attendance just dumbstruck. Killed it.
May 5, 2023 @ 12:44 pm
Count me as one of those in attendance that was blown away by that performance. Everyone started giving a standing ovation with about a minute left to go in the song. It still gives me goosebumps when I talk about it.
Willie’s 90th b-day celebration is one of if not the most awesome concert experiences I’ve ever been to. So many emotional moments and I thought Willie’s voice sounded much better than it has in previous years and his guitar pickin’ is still there.
May 5, 2023 @ 7:34 pm
It sure was something wasn’t it? Hope I’m blessed to attend something like that again before I’m too old. Amazing music. One of a kind moments. Smiles too big for the seats to hold. Then again seemed most everyone around was “celebrating in the Willie way” so maybe those smiles would’ve been illegal in parts of the US. Either way, at a certain point all we have are the memories and stories and that was sure one for the books.
May 5, 2023 @ 11:13 am
I just wonder how profitable it is for him as pertaining to collaborations, both written and voice.
Of course, his touring is probably what makes him the most revenue. Just curious if there is much money in these other endeavors. I honestly do not know. Maybe someone can enlighten me.
May 8, 2023 @ 9:08 am
I don’t think he’s hurting for money. I think collabs, covers, and touring is what he wants to do. And good for him if that’s the case.
But I doubt we will ever get new music from him.
May 5, 2023 @ 12:08 pm
: D Love Jamey!
May 5, 2023 @ 12:25 pm
His performance at Under the Big Ski was the tightest set I have ever seen a band play. I could not believe how quickly that hour and a half went by. I’m sure I was not alone in wanting to hear more.
I believe Jamey Johnson is how I found this site. I think I googled something along the lines of “can Jamey Johnson save county music” and this site had the first article listed.
May 5, 2023 @ 1:18 pm
Jamey is a total deadhead. He covers a few of their songs. Hangs with Bobby and Phil. He is very cosmopolitan in his music and life choices.
May 5, 2023 @ 1:42 pm
He doesn’t come to the west coast too often so I make it a point to see him as much as possible. Can sing the same songs over and over again I don’t care. Gets better every time. He along with everyone else killed it at the Hollywood Bowl last weekend. Best show I’ve ever witnessed hands down. Can’t wait to see it on video or streaming services.
May 5, 2023 @ 1:48 pm
Interesting that Tommy Emmanuel’s cover of Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man) seems to have a Jamey Johnson-style tacked-on coda: a 30-second or so solo piano restatement of the melody.
May 5, 2023 @ 2:04 pm
While it’s annoying that there hasn’t been a new album in ten years, I’m fine waiting a bit longer. Guitar Song and That Lonesome Song may very well be two of the finest albums in country music history.
May 5, 2023 @ 2:58 pm
He’s always been a great collaborator. There’s a great country influenced hip hop song he contributed to back in the day called “Orange Man” that I still dig through the internet for from time to time.
May 5, 2023 @ 4:41 pm
I wish someone would take all these songs and put them one album, and it could be a hold over until Jamey would release official music. I would be happy with that.
May 5, 2023 @ 7:31 pm
350 dollars a ticket is insulting..he’s coming to bend Oregon 350 us common folk can’t afford that if he’s a dead head he knows it would take a “MIRACLE” to come up with that kind of money…milk you fans …great dude
May 5, 2023 @ 7:52 pm
Thanks Trigger, hey I don’t mean to get so rough with you sometimes, but I have severe depression and anxiety, I sometimes explode on people for the dumbest things, like the Tami Neilson’s album, being reviewed, I am sorry for being such a jerk to you, but I do stand by my political beliefs and always will, I realize you could kick me off anytime you wanted, but you let me stay , so thanks, but some of the people on this site make me so angry, with their bigoted posts, I just go over board, so again I apologize for all the things I have said to you, I did not mean them. I will try to control my self from now on take care, keep up the good work , just wanted to tell you how I feel , this is a message just for you. Again sorry for all the trouble I have caused you.
May 6, 2023 @ 5:05 am
He does have a wonderful voice. Listening to the above, one can understand why he is wanted for collaborations.
May 6, 2023 @ 10:30 am
I have always enjoyed the articles that savingcountrymusic.com has did or done on Jamey Johnson over the past decade, but to Rule him out on new music is probably a bad judgment call.
Be very cautious SCM on what you write about!
It’s just could end up biting you in the rear!!!!!!!!!!
May 6, 2023 @ 8:36 pm
Multiple comments in this comments section have been deleted for being off-topic, and for veering into politically divisive subjects. Anyone leaving comments not relevant to the topic at hand and of a political nature will be deleted immediately. It also can result in permanent banning of commenters, and the shutting down of comments sections.
It’s over.
May 6, 2023 @ 8:41 pm
I sincerely hope you mean this and stick to it.
May 12, 2023 @ 2:02 pm
Legend