Could Jamey Johnson Appeal to Bad-Ass Soccer Moms?
Luke Lewis is tired of much of the music he's been hearing lately. He's the chairman of the Universal Music Group Nashville, and that's what he told Billboard magazine in a story about Jamey Johnson's new album. He said, and I quote, "One of the reasons I wanted to sign him was because he did have that bad-ass reputation. I'm tired of that soccer mom shit."
Lewis is probably right. There's a lot of country music out right now that appeals to the housewife in all of us. Tender moments with your kids, sitting in rocking chairs with your better half, church on Sunday. It's the lifestyle we can relate to, and if not, then the one many of us can aspire to. On the opposite end of that spectrum is Johnson. The stuff he sings about on his upcoming album, That Lonesome Song, like cocaine, whores, bongs and other stories of survival, is not the stuff you play at family barbecues. He's had a rough life, and that comes through in his music.
But what Lewis may not know is that those two kinds of music -- soccer mom shit and bad-ass shit -- are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Why can't a soccer mom have a bit of a bad-ass streak? What if bad-asses sometimes long to settle down with a potential soccer mom? And just like a tough-as-nails hillbilly might weep at a ballad like "Then They Do," I think the Jamey Johnsons of the world allow soccer moms to live vicariously through those outlaw songs. I may not have been in the Marines and gone through rehab, but I feel a little stronger for having a guy like that on my iPod.
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Linda says:
I heard some of Jamey’s new stuff on Shooter Jennings’ Sirius radio show and like him a lot. Definitely a throwback to the 70s Outlaw sound. One of the few albums I’ll be buying this year.
Crafty Girl says:
I love this guy–but don’t tell any of my soccer mom friends who only play their kids music. This album will not be for kids ears!
Chris N. says:
Why can’t my stories of survival include cocaine, whores and bongs? I need to get out more.
Liz says:
But do bad ass soccer moms appeal to Jamey Johnson?
Krystal says:
life is short.Try everything one time.I bet Jamey is alot of fun!How many of us have been through alot of stuff.This soccer mom would give him a ride to the game!!
Mike W. says:
I totally agree with Luke Lewis’ comments. The problem with those comments, are the fact that the company he is in charge of as a number of artists who churn out that same soccer mom crap.
I think Jamey can appeal to a bunch of different people, but I can say I would rather hear more songs like the ones on That Lonesome Song or Chris Knights upcoming album than 99% of the stuff played on Country radio these days. There really are only a handful of artists I can stand to listen to anymore that get airplay. That’s sad.
Vicki says:
Well, this former soccer Mom really likes Jamey’s music. He’s not too bad looking either!
Tracy says:
It’s nice to hear songs about real life - nobody is getting through this life all that clean anymore - painful as it can be, I prefer reality. I have had the pleasure of seeing Jamey live more than a few times - his performance is honest and his message is clear. Don’t miss him if you have the chance and buy the album!
hotelmotel says:
Soccer mom music stinks not because it’s aimed at soccer moms, but because it is generally banal, cliched, and pompous and manipulative.
Outlaw or Bad-Ass or whatnot music is little better if it is also banal, cliched, pompous, and manipulative.
Jamey Johnson’s “In Color” has all the shallowness of Bucky Covington’s “A Different World.” Bucky talks about the good old days, Jamey the bad old days. Neither has any insight into their subject, and Johnson’s chorus is pure hack when it talks about black and white versus color. Its the stuff of a 9th grader’s poetry.
Jamey Johnson IS soccer mom music, just aimed at a different audience.
Nick says:
The best album to come out in the last 10-15 years.