Jamey Johnson

Jamey Johnson is that rare beast — a Nashville liberal — which has set him apart from most of his blue-collar contemporaries and aligned him with country-outlaw legends Merle, Willie, and Waylon, as well as more recent dissenters the Dixie Chicks. The fact that he's a former marine with the hirsute stylings of a backwoods mountain man, who has co-written great songs for others (including George Strait, Trace Adkins, and Jessie James), only adds to his intrigue. He's succeeded on his own terms despite ticking off the powers that be on country radio, and has earned himself a healthy mainstream rock and alt-country following, thanks in part to critical support from Rolling Stone, who warmed to his serious songwriting skills and willingness to confront thorny issues, like prostitution and drug-addiction: check out the gritty poetry on "High Cost of Living" from 2008's That Lonesome Song. Fourth album The Guitar Song (2010) was a real revelation, though — 25 outstanding, rough-edged tracks that take us from back-porch to barroom and back again, no quarter asked, none given.