Jamey Johnson, a 10-time Grammy-nominated country music singer and songwriter known for his deep voice and outlaw image, has had a complicated career, including the unraveling of several record label deals. Jamey Johnson first gained prominence in the mid-2000s, when he wrote Give It Away, a huge hit for George Strait and came out with In Color.
Jamey Johnson was recently arrested in Tennessee on charges of drug possession and speeding, according to reports from the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Local news station WTVF Channel 5 confirmed the arrest, with authorities stating that the case remains under investigation.
This development comes shortly after the release of Johnson's new album, Midnight Gasoline, on November 8. It’s his first album in 14 years and features the track Sober, a poignant reflection on his journey with addiction.
Here's a look at Jamey Johnson's record deals and what went down with them
BNA Records (2005)
After serving in the Marine Corps Reserve for eight years, Jamey Johnson began playing country music in various bars throughout Montgomery. By 2000, Jamey had relocated to Nashville, Tennessee in pursuit of a career in country music.
One of his first connections was with Greg Perkins, who invited him to sing demo songs like 'Songs About Me' (cut by Trace Adkins) and 'That’s How They Do It in Dixie' (cut by Hank Williams, Jr. with Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, and Van Zant).
In 2005, Johnson signed with BNA Records and released his debut single, The Dollar, which peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. His album of the same name followed in 2006. When Jamey's second single, Rebelicious, failed to chart, he was dropped by BNA Records.
Mercury Nashville Records (2008)
After parting ways with BNA Records, Johnson joined Mercury Nashville Records in 2008. The label picked up his album That Lonesome Song and signed him to a multi-record deal.
Jamey Johnson’s contract with Mercury Records dissolved in 2013 due to significant dissatisfaction with the terms of his agreement and unresolved payment disputes. While the exact date is unclear, his remarks during a January 17, 2013, performance in Florida indicated he was no longer bound by the label.
Johnson publicly criticized the label, claiming that his contracts were structured in a way that left him unpaid and feeling exploited by the music industry. In an interview with the Rolling Stones, Jamey Johnson said:
“Financially speaking, they treat me worse than they ever did the Dixie Chicks... I feel pretty used by the music industry, in that my contracts are written in such a way that I don’t get paid. It’s time for us to regroup and it’s time for us to look at these contracts."
Beyond his recordings, Johnson has co-written hits for artists like Trace Adkins, George Strait, Joe Nichols, and John Michael Montgomery.
Big Gassed Records (2014)
In 2014, following the fiasco with Mercury Records, Jamey Johnson announced the launch of his independent label, Big Gassed Records, granting him full control over his music releases. The label's debut project, The Christmas Song EP, featured four Christmas classics and the original track South Alabam Christmas, his first new song in over four years.
Trending
After 2014, Jamey Jonson did not release any music for 14 years until November 2024 when Big Gassed Records collaborated with Warner Music Nashville to release his solo studio album — Midnight Gasoline.
Reply
