Jamey Johnson Mows Down the Roses
On 08-05-2008
at 2:21 pm
Last Friday I was lucky enough to meet hit songwriter and Mercury Nashville recording artist Jamey Johnson at the Bound’ry in Nashville. Prior to meeting Jamey, I didn’t realize that he had achieved such a high degree of success as a songwriter, and I’m glad — had I known he was one of the writers on Trace Adkins’ “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” I probably wouldn’t have given the man a chance. I hate, hate, hate that song. It makes me want to cause bodily harm to myself. And others. However, meeting Jamey put things in perspective: he is the second of three writers on that song for whom I have a great deal of respect (the other being Randy Houser). Not to mention that Jamey insisted on paying for everything, so I suppose I can now say that I have benefited, albeit indirectly, from all those “Badonkadonk” royalties.
After we left the Bound’ry, we made a quick, smoky pit-stop in a 19th Avenue studio before heading to the Bluebird Cafe, where we skipped a long line of fans and made our way to the bar. As a general rule, I avoid the Bluebird like the plague, but I’m glad I went, because Jamey unapologetically launched into one dark song after another, with songs like “Mowin’ Down the Roses” and “High Cost of Living” providing heart-wrenching breaks from the terrestrial radio drivel the other three writers were playing.
Before I go any further, let me make it known that I have no financial interest in whether or not Jamey’s record, That Lonesome Song, sells well, nor am I even trying to plug my new acquaintance’s album out of kindness. Our company does not currently sell it. I simply believe that Jamey Johnson is the most promising artist to emerge from Nashville (or anywhere else, for that matter) in many years. Not since Waylon Jennings has there been such an honest, compelling country act. Go out and buy Jamey’s record. You’ll see what I mean.
