SEPT/OCT 2010 ISSUE MMUSICMAG.COM SPOTLIGHT James m inchin jamey johnson a next-generation outlaw, shaking up country music with just a guitar

Jamey Johnson’s new double Johnson adds considerably to his album, The Guitar Song, is separated into already rich catalog of original tunes with The conceptual halves. The first disc, dubbed Guitar Song, even as he continues to pay “black,” reverberates with the damage homage to his traditional country forbears. caused by broken relationships and broken he offers updated versions of country promises, then the “white” disc moves classics by Vern Gosdin, Kris Kristofferson past loneliness and loss towards feelings and mel Tillis on the new effort, just as That of redemption and forgiveness. but ask the Lonesome Song included explicit nods to soft-spoken singer and songwriter about heroes like waylon Jennings. but Johnson the album’s dual nature, and he rejects seems uncomfortable being mentioned in AS SEEN IN: SEPT/OCT any attempt at analysis. “I really don’t think the same breath as his idols, artists who— about the concept of albums as much as I like him—succeeded commercially while 2010 M MUSIC & do recording sessions and what happens challenging nashville conventions. “It’s like MUSICIANS MAGAZINE each time we go in the studio,” he says. “I shining a light on a snake in the desert,” he just go in and cut songs that reflect what’s says with a laugh. “you point that light and going on in my life, and that I think will mean the snake starts wriggling around and it something to the people out there.” shows its real self. Those guys were just Johnson’s songs do just that, for a large shining a light on the truth. I don’t think and growing audience—but it wasn’t always they meant to cause trouble at all. They this way. his marriage and his previous record were just telling it how it really was. People deal both dissolved in 2006, and a lingering respond to that.” reputation as a hell-raiser caused music with The Guitar Song complete, Row’s interest to wane. In the aftermath, Johnson is ready to hit the stage. “That was the artist turned into a recluse. he emerged always my goal, to go around and be able triumphant with 2008’s That Lonesome to sing country music out on the road,” he Song, which marked his transformation says. “It’s not about being in the studio. you into traditional country’s new hope. The have to get out there and speak directly to album received a slew of accolades upon the people. my fans are a real good group its release, selling gold and launching the of folks, real committed.” Top 10 country hit “In Color.” –Blake Boldt

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