Since he released his last album, The Guitar Song in 2010, Jamey Johnson has been lurking in the shadows of Nashville waiting for his shot. Today marks the day where he took it, as the country music veteran signed a record deal with Warner Music Nashville. Johnson, who has written hits for Willie Nelson, George Strait, and Tracy Adkins, signed the deal through his company, Big Gassed Records label.
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That being so, Johson intends to release a song this Friday called, “Someday When I’m Old.” A tune that was written back in 2004 alongside Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey, and Troy Verges. Even though this seems to be happening so fast, this deal with WMN has been a long time in the making. And it seemingly starts with Johnson’s old friend, Cris Lacy.
Jamey Johnson’s Friendship with WMN’s Co-President
In an Instagram post announcing the news, Johnson wrote, “The reason I signed with Warner Music Nashville is Cris Lacy. She is one of my longest-term friends I’ve had in the music business.” He closed out his comment by stating, “We started our careers around the same time. She has been a friend to me and has only ever tried to help.”
Given Lacy and Johnson’s friendship, it seems WMN will not be meddling much with his music. Rather, it seems their services will merely help Johnson with logistics, such as distribution, marketing, and funding. That being so, Johnson and his label will be able to make the music he likes, and the music all of his fans like.
Refilling “The Well”
It seems Johnson’s 14-year publishing hiatus derived from a lack of inspiration. As he said in his Instagram post, “I never had the inspiration to write much while I was touring” and “Roger Miller said ‘You have to fill up the well’…and if you’re not writing it’s because the well has run dry.” Well, it seems Johnson went and lived some life, filled up the well, and armed himself with some songwriting inspiration.
Now geared with major label resources and profound inspirations, it seems Johnson’s new record deal will make a big splash and lead to some great music. Other than his song releasing Friday, there have been no talks of a potential LP.
Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images
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