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June 13, 2025

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Jamey Johnson is a throwback country artist.  

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Not only is his voice powerful and his songs fantastic, but he surrounds himself with wonderful musicians that can play any and every instrument.   He introduced his band as "the best honky tonk band around" and I would have to agree.

 

The band consisted of a three-piece horn section, a lap steel guitarist who also played a Les Paul, a guy on a Tele who also played banjo and a Flying V, a tight rhythm section, someone on a Hammond B3 and other keys, another guy on a SG and a female backing singer.

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The usual themes of drinking, love lost, love gained and regret were prevalent throughout the set.  Songs that had more personal meaning like "What A View," "Someday When I'm Old," and his first hit song "The Dollar" really hit home.

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In the middle of his set, Johnson took a moment to thank "all the Gold Star families out there" before he went into the very moving "21 Guns."

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After about eighty minutes into the show, Johnson pointed out a fan who may have been a little restless.  He said, "if you have somewhere to go, go ahead and leave.  I'm gonna stay up here and do my thing. I don't get here that often."

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Johnson then treated the fans to a few songs that "haven't been released yet."  All of them fit nicely into the set including one called "Prison."

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Towards the end of the set, Johnson said "Warren, Ohio this is you" as clips of concert goers in the parking lot were played on the screen.  People were asked what song they were most looking forward to see and everyone said "In Color" and the reasons why.

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With that, the band launched into "In Color" as the video of the song played behind him.

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The band then picked things up again with a great cover of Jerry Reed's "East Down and Bound."

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Overall it was a great night of old school country music performed by one of the best out there doing it today.

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Review and photos by Greg Drugan

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