Singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson wrote several hits for Nashville heavy-hitters before stepping into the spotlight himself with a sound that walks the line between outlaw and classic country. ∙ Written when separated from his daughter while working a construction gig, his debut single, “The Dollar,” sent its namesake album to No. 20 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. ∙ He cowrote George Strait’s 2006 hit “Give It Away,” which became the legend’s 41st No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, breaking a record previously set by Conway Twitty. ∙ “In Color,” from 2008’s Platinum-certified That Lonesome Song, won Song of the Year honors from the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Awards. ∙ Matthew McConaughey directed the video for “Playing the Part,” from the chart-topping double LP The Guitar Song, which was listed as one of Rolling Stone’s 30 Best Albums of 2010. ∙ The Grammy-nominated 2012 release Living for a Song – A Tribute to Hank Cochran included guest turns by such artists as Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, and Elvis Costello.