Jamey Johnson’s rich and clever lyricism, combined with a deep knowledge of country music tradition, makes him one of the genre’s most compelling modern voices. Born in 1975 in Alabama, Johnson grew up in a musical family and served in the Marine Corps Reserve after dropping out of university. With a rumbling vocal twang and outlaw-country style, he broke through with the titular father-and-son tale from 2006’s The Dollar. Both 2008’s That Lonesome Song (featuring hit tearjerker “In Color”) and 2010’s The Guitar Song were commercial and critical successes; they cemented Johnson as a songwriter who explores heavy themes with insight and honesty.