Jamey Johnson Chimes in on the Current State of Country Music and the Artists He Likes: “That’s What We’re Supposed To Be Doing”

Country music is at its most transitional time. We’ve known this, and country artists of every kind and commercial stature have chimed in on the matter both politely and controversially. One person who recently joined the conversation was the contemporary outlaw country musician, Jamey Johnson. Johnson, who has always been a rather traditional country music artist, had some very wise words when it came to the current environment of the storied genre.

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He stated, “You can’t go and confuse two things, because there’s country music, which is the music. Then there’s country music, which is the industry.” “And you have to learn to separate the two, and know the difference. Fans are having to do that more on their own, but they’re also having to do that just by exposing themselves to other brands of country music,” added Johnson, per Saving Country Music.

Concerning a specific artist who is changing the landscape of country music for the better, Johnson gave props to Zach Top. “People weren’t really thinking about 90s country, and now Zach Top’s come along and everyone’s so dead focused on trying to find all the greatest songs from this era,” and “That’s what we’re supposed to be doing…That’s the tradition of country music. That’s how you pass it down” said Jamey Johnson.

For Jamey Johnson, Zach Top Is Not the Only One Killing It

While Jamey Johnson singled out Zach Top, he paid credit to several other artists as well. On the topic of today’s country music landscape, Johnson acknowledged the other artists doing a great job by stating, “Certainly Zach Top, Ernest, Luke Combs—though I know he’s not exactly new.”

“There’s just a ton of them out there right now that are doing great. I could sit here and toss names, and I’ll miss 15 or 20 of them. I like Gavin Adcock,” and “He’s a brilliant songwriter,” added Jamey Johnson.

Per Johnson’s comments, and quite possibly contrary to many people’s beliefs, country music is doing just fine. While it is certainly adding more flavors and different trends, the music of the more pure country tone is still here, and seemingly always will be.

Photo by Adam McCullough