Back in the early 2000s, Jamey Johnson made his debut in country music with the single “The Dollar.” Although the years that followed came with some growing pains, he went on to win several awards including Song of the Year for “Give It Away.” He won the same award again years later when he released “In Color.” But outside of his presence on stage, Johnson made a name for himself as an amazing songwriter. Having worked with stars like Trace Adkins, George Strait, Willie Nelson, and numerous others, it was only fitting that the Opry welcomed him to the stage to celebrate its 100th anniversary with Dierks Bentley.
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With each passing decade, a new era of country music appeared to emerge. Recently, stars like Jelly Roll, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson helped give the genre new life. And during that entire time, the Opry remained. Having watched stars born and stars fall, Johnson wasn’t about to miss such a memorable moment for country music and the Opry.
More than just another performance, Johnson took the stage to entertain the crowd with Bentley. Online, fans couldn’t get enough of the country singer as comments read:
1. Dierks Bentley is incredibly overlooked and has put out the most consistently good music of the past 25 years. Tim McGraw is in there too.
— Garrett (@garrettstapp83) March 19, 2025
2. I personally don't like Walker Hayes.
Jamey Johnson (one of my all time favorites) with Dierks Bentley? This #Opry100 has already surpassed the music coming out of Trashville these days.
— Bean's Ballcard Blog (@beansbcardblog) March 20, 2025
Dierks Bentley, Jamey Johnson and Ketch Secor would be an amazing supergroup#Opry100
— IPAHangover (@IPA_Hangover) March 20, 2025
Jamey Johnson Loved The Advice Roger Miller Gave Willie Nelson
Outside of the Opry’s 100th anniversary, Johnson’s career appeared to take a hiatus when he didn’t release a new album for 12 years. In November 2024, the singer shocked fans when his latest album, Midnight Gasoline, hit shelves.
Speaking with Billboard about his time away from the studio, Johnson explained how he let the writing process happen naturally. “I didn’t write unless I absolutely had to write. And that was taking a page out of Roger Miller’s book. Roger told Willie [Nelson] years ago that if you’re not writing, it’s because your well is empty, and you need to go out there and live some and fill up your well. And that’s what Willie told me. I think it just took me a long time to get my well full.”
With Johnson waiting for the well to overflow, he noted how performing on stage helped inspire him. “There’s a part of that you get standing on the center of that stage, looking out over the faces and seeing how they react to certain messages or certain lines that enhances you as a songwriter. So, when you get that kind of positive feedback as a songwriter just off of the faces, you tend to go back in the writing room and you want to write something that draws a similar reaction or at least it feeds you to say that as a songwriter you’re headed in a correct direction…”
Not letting time dictate his career, Johnson continues to perform and record, allowing passion to guide his inspiration.
(Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage)
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