Yeah, mostly, but the difference is that Jamey Johnson wrote and probably lived, most if not all of the songs on that single album release. Either way, “that lonesome song” rings with authenticity.

I know the AI contestants work very hard, but I still believe that those who came up the traditional way have worked even harder, for the most part, to get where they are.

As for my preference, I’d take Jamey Johnson’s “that lonesome song” over any, all (or both?) of Carrie’s albums any day of the week. I know it’s not an either/ or kind of thing, but I guess I’m just trying to say that from my point of view, JJ is more deserving of the hype..

Did you do a review on The Dollar? For the life of me I think I remember one. Somebody wrote one either here or there and I try to always read the album reviews. I’m sitting here trying to come up with the one I listened to and got nuthin’. *sigh* A mind is a terrible thing to have wasted! ;-)

“Hillbilly Shakespeare” is the one I remember Steve. I had heard Woody Guthrie called the “Shakespeare of the Common Man”. May be a geographical thing though.

What double standards? The hype for Miss Carrie came from the buildup of an entire season of Idol in front of 30 million+ viewers week in and week out and then a first release that sold 10 million. People are invested in her success from pulling and voting for her for quite a few months. It’s almost a feeling of “ownership” in a way. Definitely one of family. Jamey’s hype comes from a single album release. Brady has pointed out again, and I think I finally get it, that this is actually Jamey’s third album. The only thing similar to me in regard to hype are the comparisons to the greats that went before. Totally different roads taken but they both have some provin’ to do albeit Miss Carrie has established herself very well and proven in four short years that she’s worthy. Jamey still has to climb that mountain. Only time will tell.

I caught the references to Waylon on That Lonesome Song” Brady. Why I mentioned him in the opening. From Jamey’s appearnace and sound I kinda’ vibe a young David Allen Coe comparison but then that’s just me. His music brings back memories and smells of honky tonks and sawdust. And cheap beer. And heartache. And family. And the way things were before. Just good ol’ fashioned country songs and I like ‘em. Just don’t agree with the fauning.

Yet!

Do we have Jamey Johnson to blame for writing “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”? (funny how spellchecker doesn’t recognize that word) I like his current work SO much better, hard to believe it’s the same person. Are any of JJ’s pevious albums anywhere near as good as “that lonesome song”?

JHD, , LOL, now I’m just tryin’ to help you steer clear of those treacherous double standards is all, they can be real hazards to rhetorical navigation! Yeah, you took the bait, but parried it well, my friend, well played! Yep, no denying Carrie does have better legs than Jamey Johnson, at least from our perspective!

As for the tie-ins with the other artists, I think it’s just a case of unfortunate wording, but the point is that he’s the only one of the three artists discussed whose music is influenced by country’s roots and enjoying a certain amount of commercial success. As I said before, the Outlaw comparisons are inevitable; he did cover two Waylon songs on That Lonesome Song and namechecked him twice more. The Hank tie-in is due to them both being Alabama boys. Oh, and I believe Hank was labeled the Hillbilly Shakespeare.

I’m not allowed to get “excited” so I thought I’d stay low key like on this post. ;-)

Heaven help us all if I ever learn to embed photos! Heh!

What the Hey though. What does Shania have that I ain’t got anyhoo? Well, ‘sides those massive….. uh….. massively beautiful eyes?

Is it truly deserved Steve? I dunno’. I like Blake’s call with “Bard with a beard” as well. I think it’s pretty fitting but Shakespeare had a pretty long career of confusing the heck outa’ me! Ha!

I don’t remember Hank, Sr being labeled with the “Shakespeare of the common man” tag. I’m sure he has been as you wouldn’t have stated it if he hasn’t been. You know they say the memory is the 2nd thing to go! I just don’t want Jamey to get rushed right out of becoming a masterful artist. It worries me that he’ll have to go into a sophomore album with these kind of expectations. Any more hype and it’ll be almost impossible to match those expectations. I haven’t seen enough interviews of the guy to get a feel as to how well he can handle himself, how well he can stay within himself, nor how well he can stay true to himself. The proof is in the puddin’ and I wish him well!

Geez, somebody else tryin’ to bait me about my girl Carrie! Let’s face it, Jamey Johnson doesn’t have the legs Carrie Underwood has so there’s no comparison on hype! :-)

JHD,.I actually agree with some of your main points, but I think you are really reading into the quote you cited, and splitting hairs. Yeah, words do have meaning, and sometimes words and phrases have multiple meanings and connotations. And statments can be ambiguous in their implications.

“making the sound and intent….connect…” Could be interpreted it the way you describe, but I think that’s a stretch, and I don’t believe it was the intention of the author to declare that Jamey Johnson was equal in stature or accomplishment to Hank Williams and the others mentioned. He certainly does not explicitly state that JJ” is as good as” Hank and the others, as you seem to be asserting.

I think, (just my opinion) the more likely meaning is that Jamey Johnson writes and sings in the TRADITION of Hank and the others, and conveys (and even channels), their essence and intent to a modern audience. And in that sense, Jamey Johnson is the reincarnation of Hank WIlliams, (now don’t take me too literally there, using a bit of hyperbole, I admit…) And you asked for evidence of influence? Hank Williams has been called the “Shakespeare of the common man” …I think that title does apply to Jamey Johnson as well, (some critics I believe, have also used it for JJ) in that he sings about real life, unvarnished and gritty, not pretty, and turns hard facts of everyday existence into accessible poetry with his lyrics, just like Hank did. But again, I think most of us agree that JJ has a long way to go before he reaches Hank Sr.’s stature, and he may never reach it entirely, since by definition pioneers like Hank are originals. But sometimes the student is greater than the teacher, and the protege turns out to be greater than the mentor, so who knows..Many times artists take elements from their inspirations, and combine and synthesize them into something that also turns out to be very fresh and original.

I could be wrong, but I am willing to bet that Jamey Johnson grew up on the works of Hank WIlliams, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson…I dont know as much about Jimmy Rodgers, so I couldn’t say for sure in his case. And Willie? Who knows… Jamey Johnson, like the others, is also a troubled troubadour with a tortured soul.

But I think we agree that the hype so far may have been excessive, (although that never seemed to bother you before regarding a certain Okie, lol, ..sorry I couldn’t resist) I do think that much of it is deserved, but I think it all the early acclaim for JJ could easily turn into a “bandwagon” mentality, resulting in acclaim outrunning his artistry. (We have seen this happen before, with other artists).

I realize that you are pulling for him, and waiting to see what he can do. I never stated that you said otherwise. Anyway, it’s good to see you posting again, JHD, welcome back!

Read that again Steve. Show me where there is any form of “influence” to the listed greats. No, that statement just flat out says Jamey “is as good as” Rodgers, Hank, and Willie. Words have meaning. Re: “making the sound and intent”.

Now on your assertion that Jamey has that type of vibe I’ll go along with that. He channels a lot of the great storytellers. If that’s what they mean they need to say so. Period. And this is but one example of many.

I believe I mentioned I’m giving Johnson time. Actually I’m pullin’ for him. I do so like the country soul in his voice and the stories he tells. I wanna’ hear him on his 5th album. Then we’ll talk. Until then? He’s a good country singer aspiring to the same greatness they all aspire to. Whether he can mature and maintain is yet to be seen.

Oh well, at least no one has compared him to Woody Guthrie yet. But I bet it’s comin’! ;-)

This is a very, very solid assessment. Although the comparison is a bit of a reach, I believe Himes is simply tracing the lineage of the genre, and that path follows (at least this year) to the bard with a beard, Jamey Johnson. While Johnson compares little with the sound of Williams or Rodgers, he’s embracing the same basic values of country singing and storytelling that made them such pioneers. I honestly would’ve voted Johnson #1 in every category. This is a tribute to his obvious talents, but also a reflection on the relative lack of terrific releases this year. While Swift would not have featured so highly if I had voted, I’m a little surprised about her absence on the Singles list.