I think that Jamey can equal “That Lonesome Song”, especially if they use a couple of the songs that they dropped from the original album and include them on the new one, such as “Leave You Alone”. That is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. Why that got dropped from the album is beyond me.

“My Way To You” was great but not close to “Leave You Alone”. That’s just my opinion.

Given the success of “That Lonesome Song” and how Nashville likes to copy what is successful, it’s amazing to me that A&R guys haven’t been scrambling to find more Jamey Johnsons.

Of course in the grand scheme of things it makes sense because then they would have a bunch of REAL country artists on their hands. That would pose a problem for them….they would lose control.

All Jamey needs is for someone to get out of his way, let him do his thing and spend the money to make people aware of it. The rest of it will take care of itself. Believe me, there are others out there (besides me…hint hint) that have a lot to offer.

Ryan Bingham is a good example. Success WITHOUT Nashville. It can be done but God it’s hard. Thank God for the movie “Crazy Heart”.

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/01/15/dixie-chicks-plan-album-tour-with-court-yard-hounds-side-project/

@Rick — Is there indeed word of more Sunny Sweeney? That’s awesome news! I recently picked up her record from iTunes after reading a recommendation on this blog (or MKOC or 9513 or wherever LOL). “Next Big Nothing” is such a fun fun song, and her sound is wonderful.

I wish I still had Ashton Shepard’s CD. I really liked the two singles from it — especially “Takin Off This Pain” — and bought it upon release, but I recall being underwhelmed by the rest of the record – thinking it was on par with something like Danielle Peck [whose song "I Don't" I could listen to a million times but who fails to interest me in anything else she does]. But Ashton gets so much praise around these parts that I am wondering if I missed something. . .

Returning to his roots, not the roots (which could mean anything, really). Diffie performed with a bluegrass group for years before he ever moved to Nashville.

The rest of this jive-pop country stuff doesn’t interest me that much

Question – why does returning to the roots mean a bluegrass album ??? Bluegrass as it currently is played is not roots music – returning to the roots means prominent fiddle and steel guitar (often played in tandem) , toned down electric guitar that does not drown out the singer and drums that are sensed rather than actually heard . Now that’s returning to the roots of country music