Given that many of today’s biggest country’s stars are more concerned with wardrobe and make-up than music, it’s refreshing to see a guy like singer-guitarist Jamey Johnson. As he strolled onto the stage last night at House of Blues to begin a two-hour set, he looked more like a roadie than a rock star. His beard and long hair made him look a bit like Grizzly Adams and his deep, gravelly voice only confirmed the comparison.
Early in the set, which featured close to 30 songs, Johnson acknowledged his influences as he played “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes,” George Jones’s song about all the great country singers (i.e. Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson) and whether anyone will have the “heart and soul” to live up to their standards. Johnson paused to reflect on Jones’s passing and then played “Four Walls Around Me” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today” as a sort of tribute to the icon. That made for a rather somber start to the show, but Johnson and his stellar seven-piece band slowly gained traction throughout the concert and showed just why Johnson’s music has achieved such critical acclaim since launching his career eight years ago.
This article appears in Apr 24-30, 2013.
Yeah see now…THIS is what Country music is…Not that alternative pop crap that gets jammed down everyones throat these days…
He reminds me of Marshall Tucker or Old Charlie Daniels….
So that’s how you spell Jamie now? I see…
Been following Jamey for the last few years now. I’ve been to 7 or 8 shows from Bars to Arenas. Made some great friends along the way. The man is amazing to see in concert he and his band are awesome guys to meet. His dad is a hoot. If you want real country then you need to see Jamey’s shows. If Nashville big wigs would get together. I think I know he has better and more music in that mind of his.
Seen him at house of blue’s, did 7 of his own songs and a bunch of covers. What a waste of time and money. If he thinks that’s what people want to hear, put it out as an album, see who buys it. Good luck