To The Jamey Johnson Lovers & Haters
A review of Jamey Johnson’s new album The Guitar Song is coming, but since every time the words Jamey and Johnson are mentioned a brew ha ensues, I hope with this to get some of the drama and positioning statements out of the way so the review can purely be about my take on the album, and not the sideshow the mention of his name creates. After all, this might be one of the most important album releases in years.
Jamey is a polarizing figure. Sitting here before listening to a note of the album, my jury is still out, and I can see it both ways. Last week I was told by people on both sides, that if I did not deliver either a glowing review of the best country album in 30 years, or call it a hoax from a fake Outlaw, that the whole mandate of Saving Country Music would be revealed as a sham. The truth about Jamey Johnson and this album probably lies somewhere in the middle. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and understand that both sides are fighting for the same thing here: the integrity of country music.
For The Jamey Johnson Haters:
Listen, I know he wrote the song “Honky Tonk Badonka Donk.” We all had a fun time roasting him for it, and I was shouting him down as much as anybody. But that is in the past. 5 years in the past, and it is not relevant to his current music. It was a gimmick song that he wrote as a joke. It doesn’t make it right, but I can’t listen to his new album and say I hate all the songs and justify it by saying, “He wrote Bandonka Donk.” If I don’t like Jamey Johnson or his music, it is going to be because of what he is doing right here, right now. That way I know my arguments will have solid foundation, and not be a flimsy case based solely on an old grudge or personal taste.
And yes, we should be speculative of anything put out by Nashville, but writing off everything Nashville-based before we hear it is bigotry, the same bigotry that keeps great independent music off of radio, simply because it’s not industry based. It is important to draw distinctions in mainstream country to create solid arguments. I don’t know if Jamey Johnson is an Outlaw, but he sure as hell is much closer to one than Josh Thompson, Gretchen Wilson or Eric Church.
For The Jamey Johnson Lovers:
I’m tired of the whining about how Jamey Johnson doesn’t get mainstream radio support. The man’s songs have been played on the radio, and that is something that dozens of deserving bands will never have happen. Any radio support for any music that is not pop country is a marvel these days, and should be appreciated. Same goes with awards, which Jamey has won and been nominated for, and he’s also performed on award shows. Jamey is not suffering from lack of attention from the music industry, and to assert so is insulting to independent artists who’ve received nothing.
You also have to understand where some of the suspicion and anger for Jamey Johnson comes from, and that it is the same anger that you have when you can’t hear Jamey’s latest single on the radio, but you hear Taylor Swift’s twice. Right now Nashville is attempting to exploit is own anti-Nashville sentiment with manufactured “Outlaws” who sing songs about how pop country sucks while they use the same infrastructure as the pop artists do to get ahead.
To Everyone:
So those are my positioning statements. I’m not trying to tell anyone to be or not be a Jamey Johnson fan. I give my opinions with the idea that they will educate you to help you form your own. Feel free to bash me, or bash Jamey lovers, Jamey haters, NYC Mosque supporters, Arizona Immigration haters, or whatever below, but I’m off to finish my review of the album.
BlueRibbonRadio
September 19, 2010 @ 2:58 pm
Well put good sir. Well put. Looking froward to the review.
Gary Hayes
September 19, 2010 @ 3:06 pm
I wouldnt bash you at all Trigger.
I know how much time running these websites take and work and funding they require.
I’m writing a review of last night’s Hank III show and ALREADY I’m getting my chops busted because of the Assjack portion of it.
If you dont like the Hellbilly or Assjack protion of the show then shut your mouth and LEAVE.
Shelton is only trying to cater to all kind of genres of music and the Hillbilly
portion of the show is WELL WORTH the 20 bucks to get in anyways!
Just because I stay and enjoy Assjack does that make me a ‘phoney country music fan?” ME..Phoney? I wrote that clown back and told him I was a PALLBEARER for Johnny Paycheck…what have YOU ever done for it?
Ojaioan
September 19, 2010 @ 3:54 pm
Gary Hayes: I wouldn’t even think of bashing ASSJACK or HELLBILLY HANK III…cause that is what makes the man the man! I love HANK III’s “country” more than anything he puts out…but to give up one of the 3 (types of music) would be to undermine everything the artist is about!, can’t say I liked all of Piccaso’s work either…that don’t make him any less a “great” artist! “Do what you love and love what you do” somebody famous said that and I don’t no who but I agree (whole heartedly)!
Ojaioan
September 19, 2010 @ 3:33 pm
Like you, I can’t say as Jamey Johnson is a poser or not …or wether he is just a tool of “TRASHVILLE”! All I can say is the only song of his that I have paid attention to and remeber is the song, “You Oughtta See It In Black And White”! I hope it aint a Trashville “GITTCHA” song,…cause I like it, and I hate to think I am pandering to the “MUTHER FUKIN MUSIC MOGULS” of Trashville by doing so. I like to send you the updates and such that I get because (I HOPE) you have the (wherewithal or) desire to sort it out for us …sorry I’am just lazy like that 🙂 GREAT POST TRIGGERMAN!
Waylon4ever
September 19, 2010 @ 7:34 pm
It is kinda funny that those on here that aren’t sure if they like Jamey yet because he might be a “poser” say similar things. “I don’t like him cause of badonkadonk”, or “I do like his song In Color” (which is referenced in a post above by Ojaioan with the line, ” “You Oughtta See It In Black And White”! )
My confusion is the fact that those songs were/are played heavily on mainstream radio. Very heavily. For a bunch of “anti-Nashville” or “anti-mainstream” folks, you all seem to listen to a lot of mainstream radio to form opinons. How does that happen??? Maybe your posers? I couldn’t tell you if mainstream radio plays Jamey or not. I couldn’t tell you what Taylor Swift or Sugarland’s new hit songs are….why? cause I don’t listen to mainstream radio. I don’t care if they play Jamey, cause I can listen to him elsewhere. Again, I think there are some that are so hooked on saying they are “anti-Nashville” they can’t give credit to someone that is actually coming through and out of Nashville. Opinons are fine, but it is clear that many folks that are Jamey haters have done little to no homework on who he is, where he came from, how some of his albums were put together, etc… they just say “From Nashville? I can’t like something from Nashville”
Trigger, this is a nice article to bridge the gap until your review comes out, but I am not sure that I agree with you saying Jamey lovers “whine” about Jamey not getting airplay. I have mentioned he won’t get much radio love, and I know that there a many artists getting shutout way more than Jamey, but seems your using the fact Jamey does get some mainstream radio play as a knock on him or those that support him.
I think if any Jamey fans do whine about lack of radio/media recognition it is due to the fact that they too are so fed up with pop-country.
And just a reminder…Waylon, Willie, D.A.C, etc…. they all came through Nashville too. They all were clean cut and slicked hair too. They all danced for the man too. Then they decided it was a bunch of shit, and made their own way. Is it ok that someone has come along 30 years later and is doing it again?
The Triggerman
September 19, 2010 @ 8:20 pm
The “whining” comments weren’t necessarily pointed at you, and none of these comments were necessarily pointed at anybody specifically. If you go back to my previous Jamey Johnson articles, you will see people making the case that he gets no love from radio or the awards shows. I see it on message boards and other sites as well.
Honestly I have been trying to pay more and more attention to what pop country is doing lately, because I want to be more informed. I never listen to country radio though.
And again, I am not always against slickness. Dale Watson’s last album was as slick as it gets, and it got a positive review from me.
chris edwards
September 20, 2010 @ 1:55 am
Very good point. I have been meaning to check out Jamey as of late, since hearing some of his material covered by a buddy of mine, and am planning to purchase the new record this week. I’ve been guilty of not giving the guy much of a chance, but some of my statements I’ve made to friends, and posted on here, have been a bit of drunken hyperbole of the “…he wrote ‘badonkadonk’ sort.”
Anterior to your point, just because something is on a major label or “out of Nashville” doesn’t mean it’s shit, by proxy. Lots of great music would have never been heard if it weren’t for major labels–just think of all the pioneering rock bands, like the Beatles, the Clash, Ramones, etc., and countless great artists have thrived in Nashville, even legendary outlaws you didn’t mention that seem as far from Nashville as possible (Townes, Guy Clark, Billy Joe Shaver, etc.) had big followings in Music City and got mainstream artists to cut their songs. Bottom line, a lot of what comes out of Music City is crap these days, but it’s all because, as we know, most of the marketing in pop culture is aimed at younger and younger audiences who don’t really get real art. I have a hunch about Jamey Johnson, and after hearing some of his material, he might be on the path to being a great “career artist,” as they call (in industry speak) someone who doesn’t really have the commercial sound or look and may not sell many records, but is in it for the long haul.
Oh yeah–Even though that organ of hipster douchebaggery Rolling Stone gave Jamey’s album four-and-a-half stars, I’m still looking forward to getting to know his music.
Tanna Taft
July 9, 2012 @ 4:28 pm
First of all the song you are speak of is called ” In Color” NOT seen it in black and white….If you don’t even know the name of someones song please don’t even try to speak on it.
Jamey Johnson is the closest thing to REAL Country Music we have now days that anyone knows about. The sad part is there are so many others out there that do not get the recognition they deserve…
Put Taylor Swift back in her play pen until she has been through something REAL other than high school to write and sing about..
Tanna Taft..
Stephanie
September 19, 2010 @ 3:40 pm
I appreciate you posting this before you post the review. It helps clarify where you stand on Jamey Johnson before giving us your opinion of his new album. I think it is important to separate the two so that those who love or loathe Jamey Johnson know where you stand on both him and his music. Keep up the great work!
The Triggerman
September 19, 2010 @ 4:21 pm
Thanks Stephanie.
ThatBastardkunzy
September 19, 2010 @ 5:32 pm
I don’t know if it’s just in my area or not but the country station in my parts plays Jamey Johnson damn near once an hour. I was working in a factory and didn’t have a choice but to listen to the “pop country” station. I will say of all te stupid shit they play, his songs are a little easier on the ears than some of the others but….. I’m still not a fan. I just couldn’t get into his last album at all. I have a couple friends that liked it and tried to turn me on to it. Just not my cup of tea I guess. As far ad not getting any media recognition. That’s fuckin bullshit! He gets way more than his fans want to admit.
IBWIP
September 19, 2010 @ 5:55 pm
I have to say Trig… this was the best pre review of an album I have ever read. We often diagree with music and the people who make it but I must say that your given this a fair shake and I commend you for it.
The Triggerman
September 19, 2010 @ 7:17 pm
Thanks man.
Now if I can just get all this Justin Townes Earle stuff to die down I can write the actual review!
Aran
September 19, 2010 @ 7:26 pm
“the whole mandate of Saving Country Music would be revealed as a sham”
Now that’s just silly. If you don’t put out an honest review you ‘d be a sham. That’s one of the things I appreciate around here, the authenticity. I’ve yet to listen to Jamey Johnson once, but I’m interested in what the Triggerman has to say.
Waylon4ever
September 19, 2010 @ 7:35 pm
It is kinda funny that those on here that aren”™t sure if they like Jamey yet because he might be a “poser” say similar things. “I don”™t like him cause of badonkadonk”, or “I do like his song In Color” (which is referenced in a post above by Ojaioan with the line, ” “You Oughtta See It In Black And White”! )
My confusion is the fact that those songs were/are played heavily on mainstream radio. Very heavily. For a bunch of “anti-Nashville” or “anti-mainstream” folks, you all seem to listen to a lot of mainstream radio to form opinons. How does that happen??? Maybe your posers? I couldn”™t tell you if mainstream radio plays Jamey or not. I couldn”™t tell you what Taylor Swift or Sugarland”™s new hit songs are”¦.why? cause I don”™t listen to mainstream radio. I don”™t care if they play Jamey, cause I can listen to him elsewhere. Again, I think there are some that are so hooked on saying they are “anti-Nashville” they can”™t give credit to someone that is actually coming through and out of Nashville. Opinons are fine, but it is clear that many folks that are Jamey haters have done little to no homework on who he is, where he came from, how some of his albums were put together, etc”¦ they just say “From Nashville? I can”™t like something from Nashville”
Trigger, this is a nice article to bridge the gap until your review comes out, but I am not sure that I agree with you saying Jamey lovers “whine” about Jamey not getting airplay. I have mentioned he won”™t get much radio love, and I know that there a many artists getting shutout way more than Jamey, but seems your using the fact Jamey does get some mainstream radio play as a knock on him or those that support him.
I think if any Jamey fans do whine about lack of radio/media recognition it is due to the fact that they too are so fed up with pop-country.
And just a reminder”¦Waylon, Willie, D.A.C, etc”¦. they all came through Nashville too. They all were clean cut and slicked hair too. They all danced for the man too. Then they decided it was a bunch of shit, and made their own way. Is it ok that someone has come along 30 years later and is doing it again?
ThatBastardKunzy
September 19, 2010 @ 8:04 pm
I dont listen to mainstream radio, I just hear it everyday at work if that makes any sense. The way I see it, we are all in it for the same reasons. Lovers and haters of JJ both want to see a change in corp. radio and with Nashvilles country music in general. I don’t care for his music (at least what i have heard) and I dont care where he comes from or what his background is. He could have been a load right out of Johnny Cash’s dickhole and it wouldnt make me like his music any more.
Owen
September 20, 2010 @ 12:36 am
What in the hell are you talking about, “where he comes from”? The guy was a frat boy. He wrote one of the most atrocious piles of pop country ever put on the airwaves, then he decided to start trying to rip off Waylon, Willie, DAC, Haggard, etc, after he already cashed in with the pop stuff. Fuck Jamey Johnson.
As far as this goes;
“And just a reminder”¦Waylon, Willie, D.A.C, etc”¦. they all came through Nashville too. They all were clean cut and slicked hair too. They all danced for the man too. Then they decided it was a bunch of shit, and made their own way. Is it ok that someone has come along 30 years later and is doing it again?”
Jamey Johnson isn’t fit to shine their shoes, much less ride their nuts. Willie was writing incredible songs, while all slick and Nashville sounding. Waylon had an incredible voice, and delivered songs(his own, and especially ones others had written), with a crushing amount of soul. And David Allan Coe had been in prison, was a blues singer, and was signed to Columbia after the Outlaw thing was taking off. And once again, he wrote great songs, and was one hell of a performer. Jamey Johnson has nothing, in comparison. Although, most folks are in that boat.
And while we’re at it, Waylon and Willie had to head to Austin so they could grow their hair, and do things their own way. Because at the time, Nashville didn’t think longhairs singing songs the common man could relate to would sell.
As far as Jamey Johnson being a poser goes, I downloaded this pantload of a record(and I want a refund on my bandwidth), and heres a couple fine examples for you. Poor Man’s Blues, and Can’t Cash My Checks. I don’t know too many poor folks who were in fraternities, and the guy would have to have been a complete idiot to have not made a fortune off of badonkadonk(I cringe even spelling out something that stupid), but of course, a couple songs about hard times, absolutely devoid of any heart or soul, for obvious reasons. Any of you ever hear Wayne Hancock’s tune, ‘Working At Working’, or Bob Wayne’s, ‘Workin’ Man’? Well written, heartfelt, well delivered songs. Both of those guys have been there, they’re writing what they know. Both of those guys are the real deal. Jamey Johnson, on the other hand, is pandering to a targeted demographic. And by doing so, his well publicized, radio played, award winning tripe delivers a sub par product to a spoon fed audience, and makes a buck that should have gone to someone who can do what he does, and do it much better.
If Jamey Johnson wants to be an Outlaw, maybe he should write what he knows, write what he feels, ignore formulas, ignore target audiences, and if he can’t come up with something heartfelt, use that fame to record songs written by guys who are the real deal. Waylon Jennings did that, a LOT, and I can’t imagine anyone could ever knock him for it.
Jamey Johnson is just as much a part of the problem as anyone else in the world of pop country.
When Triggerman was admonishing these Nashville, pimped and packaged Outlaws that are being sold to the general public these days, he was really on to something. Every time one of these sanitized bad boys is played on the air, it cashes in on the blood and sweat of generations of men and women who were, and are the real deal. And that’s pretty damn foul, as far as I’m concerned.
But you can’t say I didn’t give the guy a fair listen.
Denise
September 20, 2010 @ 5:36 am
Well said Owen. The longhairs would be proud. Writing about hard times and living hard times are two different things when it comes to Nashville.
Ryan Olson
September 20, 2010 @ 7:14 am
Willie Nelson was also in a frat, so I guess hes a pandering deush too. Jamey Johnson also spent 8 years as a Marine, but you fail to mention that.
And as for the album having no soul? Im not sure how you can listen to poor mans blues or Cant cash my checks and not have shivers down your spine.
As for the authenticity of these songs? The guy grew up in a trailer in Enterprise Alabama, Yeah he was livin pretty high on the hog then. And im sure the Marines pay pretty well, he def has no ground to stand on when hes talking about struggling to get by
You are worse than those that support pop country, because you deny real country when you hear it simply for the fact that it was released on a major label
Waylon4ever
September 20, 2010 @ 11:27 am
Hmmm. here is someone with some facts to back his opinions and claims! Tip of the cap to you Ryan!
Waylon4ever
September 20, 2010 @ 7:47 am
Oh my gosh. You don’t know your ass from head up your ass. You are offering a new inaccurate fictional opinion of Jamey. I have heard the idea he is a “sellout” with little to know proof, but implying he is a frat boy who had it easy and just glided in and is doing all this off a script almost makes me think you wrote this as a bit to get me going.
You kind of forgot the facts like Jamey did some time in the US Marines. You didn’t mention that “frat”. He did tours in the sand box. Who knows the exact details, but I am not going to try and say he did more or less than other service personnel to add or take credit from Jamey. He was in the Marines, that is credit enough.
The guy came to Nashville to write and play music. Some of his songs he wrote got noticed. One was badonkadonk. He wrote many others that got noticed too. But like any weak link in the argument against Jamey, you bring up badonkadonk. (He wrote the idea for the song down on a napkin while in a bar cause he heard a guy say badonkadonk, and he thought it was funny that it ryhmed with honky tonk. That writing methodolgy is pretty text book ole’ school country).
…. I am not going to go on and on about the wholes in your argument. If you don’t like him, that is fine, it is an opinion. But when folks start claiming he is a sell out or a conjured up character, or sings songs with no heart but just to make a dollar… and then offer bogus support for those claims, it really makes you look ignorant since it is plain wrong.
And Denise, do your homework on Jamey. You think he hasn’t lived some of what he writes?
Waylon4ever
September 20, 2010 @ 8:21 am
One more thing on the allegation that Jamey’s new songs are written with no heart and to a targeted audience for todays record sales.
You might re-consider that idea since most of the songs on The Guitar Song were written long before 2010. Many before That Lonesome Song album took off.
So, if he was putting all this together as a pre-packaged idea from the Nashville industry, he must gotten with an executive and they came up with…”You have a bunch of songs, here is what we will do. Come to Nashville, get a record deal. Those songs on that record won’t be good enough and the label will drop you (see “The Dollar” although there are quality songs on it.) Then fall into a mess of personal issues/divorce. You will go ahead do that right??? After that write a kick ass song about it, one we will have one of country’s greatest (George Strait) record it. Don’t worry, he will record it he is in our pocket too. Although no one will really know that you wrote until you win the song of the year.
During this you will put out an album on your own dime (That Lonesome Song). It will be picked up by a record label for wide distribution. It will be a total swtich from pop-country and it will get noticed although we will only push the weakest of the songs- In Color. You will need to come up with some songs for it. Since you have no heart in your songs, just come up with some stuff. This will put you on the map.
Then while your out on tour you will need to write some songs for a double album. 25 songs. Maybe we will find an old Keith Whitley song that no one has ever heard of to kick the album off. And we will have legendary Bill Anderson do a song with you, you remember Bill the guy that co-wrote “Give It Away” with you. You gotta come up with a song you two can do.
It will be easy raking it in. The perfect plan and very easy to do. You need to do this Jamey. Your an ex-Marine and construction worker from Alabama, what tough times have you seen? Not like you have had it rough like Shooter Jennings, HankIII, JTE (and some others). I mean, those guys only had their family names to fall back on to give them an excuse to make whatever the hell kind of music they want to. They are real trailblazers.”
Denise
September 20, 2010 @ 8:23 am
Do your homework.
Waylon4ever
September 20, 2010 @ 8:30 am
Well, you make claims with ZERO support to back them. Tell me something with factual basis that we don’t know. Your the one calling him a sellout and not living what he writes about. So…spit it out? What support do you have?
MR.BANDANA
September 26, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
I DON’T KNOW YOU OWEN BUT BY DAMN IF YOU DIDN’T TELL IT LIKE IT IS..I JUST NEED TO COPY YOUR COMMENT AND POST IT BECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I SEE IT..THE ONLY THING IS I HAVEN’T GIVE JAMEY A FAIR LISTEN AND PROBABLY WON’T..I WILL HAVE TO HEAR MORE POSITIVE THINGS BEFORE I WOULD WASTE MY MONEY BUYING HIS MUSIC..AS LONG AS THERE ARE PURE SONGWRITERS LIKE BOB WAYNE AND WAYNE HANCOCK I DON’T NEED TO BUY ANY PANTYWASTE FAKE SHIT TO FUCK MY EARS UP..I WAS GIVEN HIS FIRST CD AS A GIFT NOT LONG AFTER IT CAME OUT AND DON’T THINK I EVER TOOK THE CELLOPHANE PLASTIC OFF OF IT..IT IS BURIED SOMEWHERE..I’M NOT SAYING I WOULDN’T LIKE SOME OF HIS SONGS OR HIS VOICE BUT IF I HEAR ONE MORE PERSON COMPARE OR MENTION HIS NAME IN THE SAME SENTENCE AS THE GREAT WAYLON JENNINGS I MIGHT DO SOMETHING I WILL BE SORRY FOR..I DID HEAR THE SONG IN COLOR OR SEE IT IN BLACK AND WHITE SOMEWHERE..I HAVEN’T TURNED ON A RADIO IN OVER 3 YRS..I DO HAVE FRIENDS WHO I RIDE WITH PLACES THAT HAVE THE RADIO ON SO I ASSUME THAT IS HOW I HEARD THE WORDS IN COLOR..IF I REMEMBER JAMEY HAS A RASPY TYPE VOICE..HE GROWS A NICE GOATEE FROM SOME PICS I’VE SAW OF HIM..I CAN DO THAT BUT CAN’T SING A LICK..HE MAY BE A GREAT GUY AND MIGHT CAN SING BUT THAT DON’T MAKE HIM COUNTRY OR A MUSIC OUTLAW..THAT’S NOT SOMETHING YOU GET UP AND PUT ON LIKE YOU DO YOUR PANTS..ALL THESE PRICKS LIKE CHURCH AND THOMPSON CAN USE WAYLON’S NAME IN VAIN TRYING TO CASH IN ON OUTLAW COUNTRY BUT IT WILL ALWAYS COME BACK TO BITE THEM IN THE ASS..THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER HANK WILLIAMS, WAYLON,DAC,OR BIG JOHN CASH AND IF THAT AIN’T COUNTRY I’LL KISS YOUR ASS!!!
The Triggerman
September 19, 2010 @ 8:21 pm
I wouldn’t hold your breath for the Jamey review. This Justin Townes Earle stuff is kicking my ass and won’t let me have a free second to write it. Probably going to be tomorrow afternoon at the earliest.
Notville
September 19, 2010 @ 11:31 pm
Most of you don’t seem to be aware of the fact that Jamey is doing this on his own terms. This is his own independent release on his own label, he is essentially being distributed by a Music Row major label. You have to understand the infrastructure of Nashville to understand this guys career, “BadonkadonK is a CO write with two other writers, one of which is Randy Houser, although amazingly and again, the average fan doesn’t seem to be aware of that at all. The other co writer is a top tier talent Dallas Davidson. It was written when he had a staff deal to write songs, thats what they do here. That some of you seem to feel Trace Adkins is also a fake is odd since he happens to be one of the quality mainstream acts in country music, both as a real person (he’s the real thing) and as an artist (he can REALLy sing like that, and spot oddball songs and writers like JJ). If you’re going to hate mainstream hate who deserves hating please. This is an ugly mean little town and the system is a plutocracy, an aristocracy and an oligarchy ruled by Kings and Queens. He held court and was invited in. All sorts of people from all walks of life tow the line to make it here and be invited to the Eyes Wide Shut partys. I never heard Jamey declare himself an “outlaw”; he grew his beard and hair out and the image propelled him. I hear fans declaring him outlaw, who said he’s an outlaw, he’s an Independent renaissance man! Now Houser and some others are going Outlaw biker scruffy sheik, boring… Who cares. The whole “realness” thing is so ignorant. Somewhere between being born into the business with a name aka JTE for example, and being JJ and just showing up to the party and then making it all the way to the top is a process you folks just don’t understand, he basically did the impossible. And why do I never see mention that he also COwrote “Give it Away” for George Strait? If you understood the politics of Nashville and how why that happened you might get the bigger picture. There is no Alt no Indie no Outlaw anymore. All these genres are more made up marketing ploys, I can’t believe any one buys any of it. It’s ALL Fake people, all of it. Everything has been co-opoted and used to death. These people (JJ, RH) were the ones willing to tow the line and get done what needed getting done to live life on their terms, not on terms set by young alt hipsters and people attempting to define “realness” in web blogs. So what defines real to you? If by “real” you mean messy mean drunks, ok, yeah these guys party and party hard. They gave it all up for cocaine and whore, remember? If you knew what goes on in this town you’d wonder how people get anything done, ever. JJ has also been a financially successful person a long time now as well. He made a fortune in construction before he even started in music here, so get your information correct. He had a work ethic, drinking or no drinking. I’m telling you if you actually knew these people, you’d be tempted to believe the conspiracy theories that there is moire than one species of human, because these guys are from other planets.
Waylon4ever
September 20, 2010 @ 7:53 am
Thanks for offering your thoughts and FACTS about things. I don’t mind Jamey haters when they simply state “I don’t like his music.” Fair enough. But when they bring in ideas that simply are not true, and then asked to provide support, you don’t hear much from them.
You have provided thoughts and examples that are backed with some support as to why Jamey is who he is.
And you put it perfectly that Jamey has never declared himself an outlaw or trying to change the system. I think some see him as an image of what they are into, but since Jamey grow out of Nashville, they can’t possibly like him.
Jamey once said “the only outlaw thing about us is when we are double parked.”
Denise
September 20, 2010 @ 5:05 am
Triggerman, I always appreciate your honesty and reviews. Remaining unbiased is very difficult when something hits close. Do your thing.
Big A
September 20, 2010 @ 8:46 am
Bottom line for me is that Jamey Johnson sounds different enough from the music I hate, that I will give him a fair chance.
I’ve said this before: I don’t care if you are “pop country” as long as you don’t sound exactly the same as everyone else.
Waylon4ever
September 20, 2010 @ 8:52 am
If anyone cares to reference a recently published article about Jamey, and learn a bit about who he is as an artist, this is a decent article. Now I know some will say “Billboard” is industry standard and a bunch of shit. BUT, I think this is a good article if your trying to get a handle on who Jamey is as an artist.
http://www.billboard.com/features/q-a-ja….22.story?page=1
Trigger, I know you must have a ton of irons in the fire, but since Jamey seems to evoke such a response from both sides of the fence, has there been an attempt to reach out to him and get an interview?
Denise
September 20, 2010 @ 9:13 am
Waylon4ever
It’s plain to see how passionate you are towards Jamey Johnson. I too am passionate about things, especially things that concern me, directly as such. You are calling me out in a blog comment, trying to make me stutter, and I’m not stuttering this time.
You are a gi-nor-mous JJ fan. Good for you. You say I have given zero proof. What proof are you demanding?
Look, I do not know you. Nor JJ. I know what I know and that is proof for me. It’s really easy to sit behind a monitor screen and build your idol up til you’re blue in the face. I don’t mind you are so enthralled with JJ. I said he was a sellout, I have my reasons and facts for saying it, and that is all I need to spit out to you.
Triggerman will do the review and you can make your case then.
Waylon4ever
September 20, 2010 @ 9:38 am
Denise, I am a fan of JJ. I am a fan of many artists mentioned on this page. But I would defend anyone against someone calling someone else a sellout with out giving some little grain of why you come up with that conclusion?
“I said he was a sellout, I have my reasons and facts for saying it” So what are your reasons? How about one factual reason??? Just one?
You can’t just go out throwing that term around and then hide behind YOUR keyboard. And now you appear to be hiding behind Trigger and what his review will be.
Maybe choose your words more carefully.
Pillsbury
September 20, 2010 @ 10:41 am
Waylon4ever
My problem with Jamey Johnson is that his songwriting is about what he thinks people will relate to. Like he’s just writing the songs for money, saying “Dam it, I have to write/record/sing/etc another song.”
Hank SR, Waylon, Cash etc., wrote their songs about what they were feeling or had felt, injecting their personality and soul into their music. Jamey Johnson, doesn’t project that honesty when I hear him. Simply put, I don’t BELIEVE him. He does have a good rough, gritty vocal style, and stands out for having a classic sound. He doesn’t annoy me as much as other “mainsream singers.”
I’m not simply holding where he records his music, ( I’m a huge BR549 fan), and his two pop hits against him. I’m looking at the whole package, and I’m not buying it.
Waylon4ever
September 20, 2010 @ 11:39 am
Pills, no need to explain yourself to me. I can handle an opinion. I completely respect it when you explain it that way. I would agree with you that if a singer can’t sell you what he is singing, then you probably won’t be a big fan. I do disagree with you on Jamey writing songs simply for money. If you look at his, albiet small body of work in 3-4 CD’s and songs others recorded it is a consistent vibe. (with a few throw away songs that were comical at best. Please consider many singer/songwriters (Willie, DAC, etc..) wrote a shit load of songs too to get paid.)
And, obviously I am a huge Waylon fan, but he didn’t exactly write many of the songs he is most known for. He sold it well that he was living those songs…but lets be honest.
The ones that claim sellout and B.S. like that owe the explainations.
Nlindsay
September 20, 2010 @ 10:43 am
From what I’ve heard of his music, I’m not a fan. I don’t care enough to “do my homework” and I’m not even sure I could give an articulate explanation as to why I feel the way I do about it. But I’m also not writing articles about him or trying to convince others that my opinion is correct. That’s all I got.
Good one though Trig. I’m looking forward to seeing how this pre-review post will affect the number of responses to your review when it’s posted as well as the content of the responses.
Ian
September 20, 2010 @ 11:19 am
The way I judge Jamey Johnson is when I played him for my Grandad he asked to hear more because he liked it. So that’s good enough for me. There are some songs of his that I really like, some that I am okay with, and some that I will never listen to again. But I think he is his own artist. People need to stop applying labels to artists and trying to compare them to the great artists of the past. I don’t listen to a Jamey Johnson record and think, “Hey, this is the next Waylon.” I think that this it is Jamey Johnson.
Personally, throughout reading all of these comments reminds me of the ol’ song “Leave Them Boys Alone” by Earnest Tubbs, Hank Jr, and Waylon. “Why don’t you leave that boy alone and let him his songs.”
Owen
September 20, 2010 @ 11:26 am
Waylon4ever is either on the guy’s payroll, or he’s one of the world’s most fanatical manbear advocates. Sweet Jesus on a pogo stick.
Waylon4ever
September 20, 2010 @ 11:47 am
Neither. I simply don’t like people that make claims and call out others and have no support for what they speak.
Your the guy that said Jamey was in a frat so that somehow makes him a silver spoon boy. I believe Ryan mentioned Willie was in a frat… do you have a response to that? Do you have any comment on Jamey doing 7-8yrs. in the Marines?
Your the guy that said he sings with no heart. You might not like his music, but you can’t say he is singing with no heart and giving any less effort than your favorites.
Your the guy that said “if he wants to be an outlaw….” When did Jamey say he wanted to be an outlaw?
Have some respect and man up and support your comments rather than just going with the adolescent response of name calling to me.
Owen
September 20, 2010 @ 12:28 pm
Dude, get the fuck over yourself. No one owes you any kind of explanation for not having the same raging little lady boner over Jamey Johnson that you do. You’re just someone in the comment box of a website, just like the rest of us. Bottom line, he is what he is, a Nashville product. Slick, packaged, spoon fed to the lowest common denominator of the music buying public. You go ahead and enjoy his bland, soulless, insult of an album. I’ll just keep on listening to worthwhile music.
Waylon4ever
September 20, 2010 @ 12:37 pm
Thanks for confirming the obvious, Owen.
The Triggerman
September 20, 2010 @ 5:50 pm
Owen, I understand where your rage is coming from, but you’re not doing yourself or your side of the argument any favors. That’s what I was trying to say up above. Oh well, nevermind.
Felix
September 20, 2010 @ 12:57 pm
First, whatever personal verdict YOU come up with about Jamey Johnson, no one should dismiss you or SCM. I mean this sincerely when I say that you are the best, most balanced, writer concerning today’s country music out there.
Second, I don’t know what to think about Jamey Johnson either. I bought his last album out of morbid curiosity, and it was pretty damn good. As far as his “outlaw image” goes, it does seem kinda constructed. But, then again I’ve never met the guy or even seen him live. I do know that he can write a damn good song (The High Cost of Living) when he wants to, and a shamelessly commercial piece of shit, too (Honky Tonk Badonkawhatever).
My verdict is still out on him. Meanwhile, I’ve got plenty of artists to keep my ears occupied like Lucky Tubb, Hellbound Glory, JB Beverley, Bob Wayne…and the list keeps on growin!
Thanks for the great writing!
Jahshie P
September 20, 2010 @ 6:16 pm
I can see how he wrote that song for Trace, cause the Guitar Song sounds like a Trace Adkins record. I gave the full 25 songs three listens before deciding it was bad. I did not want to jump the gun with only one run through. It’s nothing but boring piano ballads, and “rowdy” songs with titles such as “By the Seat of Your Pants” and “Dog in a Yard”, etc. It is not good. I don’t see the originality that people keep talking about. The song writing is not great, not even the singing is great. It sounds like any George Strait record, just without the professional songwriting that make George Strait albums worth while. I am sure people will say I don’t like it because it it “too corporate” or whatever, but that is simply not true. It is just possibly the cheesiest album I have heard in a long time (check out “Baby Don’t Cry”). I think I’d rather listen to Toby Kieth over this. At least he makes fun of himself. Someone please tell me what the big deal is with this record? I am so confused at the hype.
Duluke
September 21, 2010 @ 6:14 am
I love That Lonesome Song and I was very excited for this album. I really hate saying it, but I was thinking the same thing as you this morning while listening to it…a lot of it sounds like a Trace Adkins album. There are a few good tracks, but nothing as good as some on his last album and too many of the songs just seem boring. I am absolutely disappointed. Maybe you should discuss this with him on Outlaw Radio!
Stilted
September 20, 2010 @ 9:24 pm
Owen: what does being in a frat have to do with anything? A person can come from a meager upbringing and still be in a fraternity. There is even one dedicated to Ag majors, Alpha Gamma Rho, most of whom come from farm families, proving that being in a frat and hard working are not mutually exclusive.
Everyone else: Maybe Jamey is faking it, maybe he isn’t. But his sound is closer to outlaw than anything else on the radio. If mainstream fans like it, it could result in some people searching out more new outlaw artists (Hellbound Glory, Whitey Morgan, etc.). How is that a bad thing. To paraphrase from REM back when they were becoming mainstream, he’s the acceptable edge of the unacceptable stuff.
And to writing pop stuff…there comes a time when a man’s just gotta pay the bills. Just because your an artist doesn’t mean you have to be poor. Yeah, it would be great if you can always stick to your ideals, but ideals don’t put food on the table.
Ryan o
September 20, 2010 @ 10:36 pm
Well said Stilted. I like your perspective on that
On another note, Hot Damn Trig! Im foamin at the mouth to read this review!
not sure why i value your opinion so much, but i guess that says alot about ya
Waylon4ever
September 21, 2010 @ 7:19 am
I stepped away from this a bit and did some searching on the artists mentioned by the haters and did some objective thinking and comparison.
What someone likes and what they hear is subjective. There is no right or wrong. It is foolish to try and argue that someone “should” or “shouldn’t” like an album.
I will agree that Jamey sounds much different than many of the artists supported on SCM. With that said, many of those popular SCM supported artists have a similar sound.
It that sound REAL country music? yes.
Is Jamey making REAL country music? I would say yes, but it doesn’t sound like many SCM supported artists.
With that said, I don’t think someone can honestly say that Jamey doesn’t sound similar or have a heavy influence of the Waylon/Willie era. And I think we would all agree that Waylon/Willie era is country music.
Jamey doesn’t sound like Lucky Tubb, Wayne Hancock, JB Beverly, Hank III etc… BUT Waylon/Willie era artists didn’t sound like Hank Sr., Ernest Tubb, Bob Wills, etc…
I have a feeling that if this were 1976 and we were talking about/reviewing the album “Wanted”, I believe many SCM regulars would have similar opinions about that as they do with Jamey.
That is not comparing/saying that Jamey or his album are going to be a pillar in the timeline of country music as “Wanted” is, but that some on here seem to limit country music and what it should sound like.
Now with that said, I am not saying we should consider and open our minds to Paisley, Sugarland, Underwood, etc… as country just with a different “sound”. That music is different music completely. Pop music with no where to go.
I think Jamey has hit the nail on the head of true country music as much as Wayne Hancock does. Just a different sound and doing it differently.
That is not to say you have to like The Guitar Song, but some are using far fetched reasoning to say it is a pre-packaged production.
I don’t think anyone can deny that “That Lonsome Song” and “The Guitar Song” are certainly trying to turn a corner for good country music from within the belly of the beast- Nashville.
Josh K
September 21, 2010 @ 10:11 pm
And when it comes down to it. Jamey Johnson is out making more and more fans everyday who think he is REAL COUNTRY MUSIC….. or at least alot more real than whats produced today.
While all you hating ass cry babies ….well sit here and complain on an internet site that basically has a shitty following.
Wow, and I thought pop country fans were idiots….
The Triggerman
September 22, 2010 @ 8:49 am
Is this website’s following shitty because of the amount of people who come here, or because of who they are? Please clarify.
Josh K
October 19, 2010 @ 3:12 pm
Shitty in the sense of it does not come up with in country music searches much.
So no, dont try to flip the card and say I am talking about the people that comes here. I am saying you’re site is not popular on the web. I look up country music stuff everyday and never found this site until I searched very in depth about Jamey Johnson record sales.
Everyone listens to different music, and only a fool would down someone for liking a different style. I just think certain people, and bloggers speak before they know way to often. If you can criticize someone, expect to be criticized back. You said the things you didnt like about Jamey Johnson’s cd, and I said what I didn’t like about your post. Same difference. Owen said Jamey Johnson’s music was no good, so I told him what I thought of his. Same difference.
It’s funny though, Jamey Johnson probably brings you more traffic than anyone else.
The Triggerman
October 19, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
Nobody was trying to flip a card man, I was simply asking for clarification. You’re right, compared to many other country music websites I probably do have a shitty following. That is because I mostly write about the bands people don’t know about, and only write about the bigger-named folks when it is germane to the overall conversation.
Spew all the venom you want at me, but go through the comments of this article and the album review and see how many people are yelling at me for being TOO NICE to Jamey Johnson. That is because the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Waylon4ever
September 22, 2010 @ 9:02 am
Josh, if people have an opinion on something subjective like if they like or don’t like a certain music, it is tough to argue with them.
When someone gives a thought or opinion and then gives some support for that, beyond “he sucks” or “they are shitty” that, it leads to some nice banter and discussion.
I would caution about saying the group that follows this site is shitty based on they don’t like the music you may like. You do that, and you will find yourself in the “Owen-zone”. He is a jack ass.
Josh K
October 19, 2010 @ 3:13 pm
Yeah Waylon, I’m trying to find where I said PEOPLE who follow this site are shitty?
I said this site has a shitty following, not the people that follow this site are shitty.
However, thanks Triggerman for asking me to clarify myself before you made a judgment.
Josh K
September 21, 2010 @ 10:20 pm
Owen……shit man, I just checked out your facebook page and some of your songs!
AMAZING!………………………..ly shitty.
You cant even criticize Lady GAGA with the shit you are trying to put out much less Jamey Johnson.
MR.BANDANA
September 26, 2010 @ 11:06 pm
WAYLON4EVER,
OPINIONS ARE LIKE ASSHOLES,EVERYBODY HAS ONE..I AGREED WITH ONE COMMENT THAT OWEN SAID AND SAID SO..I VERY WELL COULD HAVE DISAGREED WITH HIS NEXT ONE..ITS LIKE I’VE SAID HERE AT SCM BEFORE,I LISTEN TO WHAT I WANT WHEN I WANT JUST AS I SAY AND DO WHAT I WANT WHEN I WANT AND TO WHO I WANT TO..THIS IS A WEBSITE
TO DISCUSS MUSIC LIKES AND DISLIKES..IT IS HEALTHY AS FAR AS DISCUSSION GOES THAT NOT EVERYONE HAVE THE SAME OPINION OR LIKES AND DISLIKES..IF I WANT TO LISTEN TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND BACK HER I WOULD HAVE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED THAT DECISION BUT THERE WOULD BE SOME WHO DISAGREE WITH THAT..I AM ONE OF THEM BECAUSE FOR EVER WHAT SHE DOES,THE BITCH CAN’T SING..I HAVE FRIENDS WHO I KNOW LIKE JJ BUT THAT DON’T KEEP US FROM BEING FRIENDS IF I CHOOSE NOT TO LIKE HIM..I JUST HAVE NEVER TOOK THE TIME TO LISTEN TO HIM..WE MIGHT BE BEST FRIENDS AND I JUST DON’T KNOW IT YET..
I DO HAVE ONE SMALL PROBLEM WITH YOU..I ASSUME THAT YOU CHOSE THE NAME YOU USE BECAUSE YOU ARE A BIG WAYLON FAN..WAYLON IS MY HERO..I HAVE OVER A 1000 LP’s OF HIS,OVER 400 45’s,OVER A 100 CD’s,2 DIFFERENT WAYLON NECKLACES I WEAR,DVD’s,BANDANA’s,TAGS,
STICKERS,CASSETTES,8 TRACKS,PINS,POSTERS,A TATTOO,T-SHRTS,AND MUCH MORE..I GUESS I MIGHT BE A WAYLON FANATIC..I ACTUALLY KNEW WAYLON AND YES HE KNEW ME.. I MISS HIM MORE THAN I COULD SAY..
YOU ARE RIGHT,WAYLON DIDN’T WRITE MOST OF WHAT HE SANG BUT COULD SELL IT WELL THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE HE DID..NOW THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH YOU IS WHEN YOU MAKE GOOD COMMENTS OR SAY STUPID SHITTY ONES YOU ARE DOING IT IN HIS NAME..PEOPLE USE HANDLES ONLINE AND I GUESS THAT’S OK BUT FOR YOU TO SAY AND DO THINGS IN THE NAME OF WAYLON IRRITATES ME..I KNOW THIS PROBABLY DON’T MAKE A GOOD GOD DAMN TO YOU BUT IF YOU DISAGREE WITH WHAT I’M SAYING DON’T SAY SOMETHING SMARTASS BACK TO ME IN THE NAME OF WAYLON..I GO BY MR.BANDANA OR BANDANA ON THE STREET FOR OVER 28 YRS BUT NOT HIDING BEHIND IT..MY NAME IS DWIGHT CLONINGER JUST LIKE DENISE IS DENISE AND SHE IS A PERSONAL FRIEND OF MINE..SHE DON’T OWE YOU JACK SHIT..I’VE TRIED TO BE NICE IN THE NAME OF SCM,KYLE,TRIGGERMAN CORONEOS..I AM ASKING YOU TO CHANGE YOUR HANDLE FROM WAYLON4EVER IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE SPEWING STUPID SHIT OUT OF YOUR MOUTH THAT I KNOW WAYLON WOULD NOT AGREE WITH..OH AND YES I OWN HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN HARDCOVER AND PAPERBACK AND HAVE READ IT..IF YOU HAD YOU WOULD KNOW THERE IS SO MUCH YOU’VE SAID HE WOULDN’T AGREE WITH..I’M NOT WANTING A CONFRONTATION WITH YOU BUT WOULD WELCOME IT IF THIS HAS UPSET YOU TO THE POINT YOU FEEL YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONFRONT ME..JUST DON’T DO IT IN THE NAME OF WAYLON..IF YOU WANT TO CONTACT ME MY EMAIL IS mrbandanacsa@yahoo.com..
Waylon4ever
September 27, 2010 @ 8:30 am
I tried to respond, and hit post and didn’t see it come up. I am not writing the whole thing again, but here is a response.
First my name is Tim. I am not providing my last name cause due to the type of work I do, I know it isn’t hard to locate someone and try to prove a point in my front yard. I don’t feel like having to deal with that. This forum is fine. If we meet in a bar someday, we can go out back at that point.
Bandana, opinions are fine. They provide for good discussion. I didn’t go at Owen and Denise based on their opinions. I went at them for making accusations and simply asked for some support to those accusations. Whether it was Jamey Johnson or not, I would ask the same thing to anyone calling someone a “sellout” or saying because they were in a “frat” they somehow don’t know country music.
As for your relationship with Waylon, I am not going to get in a pissing contest on who is a bigger fan/friend. You win. I simply have a connection to Waylon that I don’t need a pile of stickers to believe in. I have not represented myself as anything but a Waylon fan. I am not speaking for Waylon or his family.
Take a listen to Jamey. You may like him, you may not. I don’t really care. That is an opinion.
But don’t write him off simply because he records in Nashville. He isn’t in the same group of “new/fake outlaws” as Chruch and Thompson. He might share a stage with them every now and then, but so does Hank Jr. What do people think of Hank Jr. these days? Does he still have “real country”/”outlaw country” cred.? Because he sure as hell supports many of the “new outlaw” artists.
Jamey is better than 99% of what is coming out of Nashville. He is better than many outside of Nashville too. He never said he was an “Outlaw”, and he doesn’t say he is a bad ass in song after song after song. Which, in all honesty, some of the artists in the underground seem to think they to sing that over and over like a rapper signs about ho’s and bitches.
MR.BANDANA
September 27, 2010 @ 12:27 pm
I WANT TO REPLY IN A SHORT RESPONSE BUT KNOW IT WON’T BE..I AM GOING TO TRY AND KEEP THIS AS PROFESSIONAL AS I CAN..I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ELSE YOU WROTE WHEN IT DIDN’T POST..I USE TO WRITE COMMENTS ON EVERY BLOG TRIGGERMAN WROTE UNTIL FACEBOOK TOOK OVER MYSPACE..I DON’T AS MUCH ANYMORE..I TEND TO GET TOO INVOLVED IN CONVERSATIONS AND IT LEADS TO ME GETTING PISSED OFF OR MOST ALWAYS PISS OFF OTHERS..I’M NOT A PEOPLE PERSON BECAUSE I AM SO OUTSPOKEN BUT FOR SOME REASON I AM VERY WELL LIKED AND ACCEPTED BY PEOPLE ONCE THEY GET TO KNOW ME..I’VE TRIED TO LEARN TO ACCEPT THINGS MORE GRACEFULLY BUT MOST WON’T LET ME DO THAT..
NOTHING I SAY IS TO TRY AND SCARE YOU OR INTIMIDATE YOU OR LEAD YOU TO A FIGHT OUT BACK OF A BAR ALTHOUGH IF AT ANYTIME THAT’S WHAT YOU WANT I HAVE NEVER BACKED DOWN FROM A FIGHT..I BEEN WHOOPED BEFORE BECAUSE I BEEN IN SO MANY FIGHTS I COULDN’T START TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY..I LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD,NOT IN A MOVIE ONE LIKE A CLINT EASTWOOD,JOHN WAYNE,CHUCK NORRIS,OR SYLVESTER STALLONE..I’VE PRETTY MUCH MADE MY LIVING AS A BOUNCER IN BARS,AS A BODYGUARD OR STAGE SECURITY FOR MUSICIANS..ITS BEEN A OK LIVING SINCE I’VE ALMOST MADE IT TO 58 YRS.OLD AND I’M STILL ALIVE..I WOULD RATHER FIGHT THAN FUCK MOST OF THE TIME AND HAVE WALKED AROUND PUSSY TO GET TO A FIGHT BECAUSE PUSSY IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE AND A GOOD FIGHT IS NOT.
NOW WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID IF YOU HAD READ WHAT I WROTE MY PROBLEM IN GENERAL HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH JAMEY JOHNSON..IT MATTERS NOT WHO I LIKE OR DISLIKE SOMEBODY IS ALWAYS ON THE OTHER SIDE..I DON’T NEED ALL THE WAYLON THINGS TO SHOW I’M A WAYLON FAN AND YOU CAN’T JUST SAY I WIN..MOST PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA I HAVE ALL THOSE THINGS..I CONSIDER WAYLON AS ONE OF MY HERO’S BECAUSE OF THE MAN HE WAS NOT BECAUSE OF HIS MUSIC ALTHOUGH THAT IS A PLUS..
AS FAR AS OWEN GOES I DON’T KNOW HIM BUT I PERSONALLY KNOW DENISE..I’VE READ ALL YOU WROTE AND DENISE DIDN’T THINK YOU WERE WORTH HER TIME..SHE IS A VERY EDUCATED PERSON WHEN IT COMES TO COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY AND CUTTING YOU UP WOULD NOT HAVE PROVED ANYTHING..YOU CAN GIVE ME A APPLE AND I CAN ARGUE WITH YOU THAT ITS A ORANGE AND VICE VERSA..SOMEONE IS ALWAYS ON THE OTHER SIDE NO MATTER WHAT THE SUBJECT IS..YOU SAY THAT USING WAYLON’S NAME IN NO WAY DISRESPECTS HIM OR HIS FAMILY..THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE WRONG..I SAID IT,YOU ARE WRONG..EVERYTHING YOU SAY NO MATTER HOW GOOD OR BAD WITH WAYLON4EVER AS YOUR HANDLE REFLECTS ON HIS NAME..THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE NAMED WAYLON OF COURSE BUT I KNEW YOU WERE AND ARE REFERRING TO THE GREAT WAYLON JENNINGS BECAUSE YOU ARE A BIG FAN..JUST TO LET YOU KNOW I HAVE TALKED TO AN ATTORNEY ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I DIDN’T WANT TO BE TALKING OUT OF MY ASS OR ABOUT SOMETHING I DIDN’T KNOW..BY LAW JESSE OR SHOOTER COULD COME AFTER YOU FOR DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER..WOULD IT EVER HAPPEN?NOT LIKELY..
ARE YOU SAYING THINGS IN THE NAME OF WAYLON?YES..DO I THINK YOU REALLY MEAN TO DEFAME HIM?NO..UNLESS YOU ARE A FAMILY MEMBER DO I WANT YOU TO DROP HIS NAME?YES..WILL IT CHANGE THE WORLD IF YOU DON’T?NO..IF YOU ARE A REAL WAYLON FAN YOU WOULD DROP THE NAME BECAUSE IT DON’T MATTER IF YOU ARE HELPING LITTLE OLD LADIES ACROSS THE STREET AND YOU DO NOTHING ELSE,IF ONE OF THEM GETS RUN OVER SOMEONE WILL SAY THAT WAYLON4EVER GUY GOT HER KILLED..
I DO WANT TO COVER ONE MORE THING..YOU MENTIONED HANK JR..AT ONE TIME IN MY LIFE I THOUGHT THE SUN ROSE AND SET IN HIS ASS..I WOULD HAVE TOOK A BULLET FOR HIM..HE GAVE ME THE NAME MR.BANDANA WHEN I WAS WALKING HIM TO AND FROM STAGES,
WATCHING HIM PERFORM HUNDREDS OF SHOWS,RIDING IN LIMOS AND HIS PRIVATE LEAR JET,AND TOO MANY OTHER PERSONAL THINGS I WOULD NEVER TELL FOR MONEY OR FAME..I’VE LOST A LOT OF RESPECT FOR HIM FOR A LOT OF REASONS AND DON’T LIKE WHAT HE IS DOING NOW LIKE HE DID IN THE 80’s..JUST TO LET YOU KNOW I HAVEN’T WENT TO SEE HIM SINCE 2004..I AM TAKING A FRIEND TO MEET HIM IN A FEW WEEKS..I WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HANK JR.,JAMEY JOHNSON,JOSH THOMPSON IN CONCERT BUT MIGHT NOT WATCH THE SHOW..NO MATTER HOW GOOD JJ IS I DOUBT HE COULD WIN ME OVER TO THE WEAK POP COUNTRY MUSIC SCENE AND THAT IS WHERE HE PERFORMS..I JUST WALKED HANK III TO THE STAGE FOR 10 SHOWS AND FIXING TO DO 7 MORE,PLUS SEEING RACHEL BROOK,JAYKE ORVIS,JOE BUCK,ANTiSEEN,RONNIE HYMES,MTB ALL IN THE NEXT MONTH..YOU HAVE THE CHOICE OF LISTENING TO JJ AND LADY GAGA BUT WISH YOU WOULDN’T DO IT IN THE NAME OF WAYLON..I BET THE NAME JAMEY4EVER IS AVAILABLE..JUST SAYING!!! HANK III FOREVER AND REINSTATE HANK!!!
The Triggerman
September 27, 2010 @ 12:44 pm
Alright, I’m just gonna say that I hope we can all keep this respectful. If not, I will erase all comments in this thread because of my own legal culpability. Nobody has crossed a line, but we’re getting real close, and there’s no reason. I respect everyone here and their opinions, but we MUST keep it above personal threats.
Also, because this has come up a few times, I am still posting links to these blogs on Myspace, on the MySpace blog as well as on their “stream.” Sometime last week the completely eliminated the bulletin board, where I also used to post. I still post twice as much there as I do anywhere else, I have no abandoned myspace, but I can’t control how they disseminate that information.
MR.BANDANA
September 28, 2010 @ 2:17 am
MY COMMENTS HAVE BEEN AS RESPECTFUL TO YOU AND AS PROFESSIONAL AND TRUTHFUL AS I CAN MAKE THEM..WHEN A MAN ALL BUT INVITES ME TO GO OUT BEHIND A BAR I WILL ACCEPT IF HE IS KING KONG..YOU CAN DELETE MY COMMENTS IF YOU WANT AND WHILE YOU AT IT BLOCK ME FROM YOUR WEBSITE..I DON’T TAKE NO SHIT OFF ANY SOB,NEVER HAVE,NEVER WILL N O MATTER HOW OLD I AM..I’VE FOUND MOST PEOPLE CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH..I AM WHO I AM AND WILL NEVER APOLIGIZE FOR THAT!!!
The Triggerman
September 28, 2010 @ 6:29 am
I’d rather shut the website down than ban you from it.
MR.BANDANA
September 28, 2010 @ 8:58 pm
I AM WHO I AM AND THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE..I WANT TO CONTINUE TO COMMENT AND ENJOY YOUR BLOGS WITH ALL THE INSIGHT AND NEW STUFF YOU PUT OUT..I’M HIGH STRUNG WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WAYLON IS ONE OF THEM..I’M JUST A HELLBILLY ASSHOLE THAT GETS OUT OF CONTROL NOW AND THEN!!!
IceColdCountry
March 1, 2011 @ 1:43 pm
I wanted to share a cool story I heard about Jamey Johnson, so I picked this blog to place it.
Jamey played a small show in Minneapolis on 2/27/11. Benefit for Wounded Warriors Project. Now I don’t know how many artists that are mainstream or big time or sellouts as some put it on this site, would do the following:
After getting in town from Chicago the night before what does Jamey do to get ready for his show? Well, he nearly arrived late to the gig since he went across town to a casino that was about 30min. out of Minneapolis to stop in and watch Merle and Kristofferson playing together. Jamey put on a great show of his own, covering a few Merle and Kris tunes himself. He also closed with a killer rendition of “I Saw the Light”
Terry
October 21, 2016 @ 6:17 pm
I don’t know what all the fuss is about. If you like him, listen to him. If you don’t like, then don’t listen to him. Its quite simple. Only dumb turds make it anymore complicated.
Is he a poser? Who gives a shit. He’s got an excellent voice and can make me believe. Isn’t that what an entertainer is supposed to do?