CMT Blog: Archive

Editor's note: After completing his CMT Crossroads episode with Shooter Jennings, Jamey Johnson compiled a list of some of his favorite songs -- and why he likes them. CMT Crossroads: Shooter Jennings and Jamey Johnson premieres Monday (March 23) at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CMT. View Johnson's performances on CMT's Unplugged at Studio 330.

"He Stopped Loving Her Today," George Jones
George Jones is an icon. He doesn't stop with being famous himself, he makes his songs famous. Every singer in town can get the words and the notes right, but George Jones has the God-ordained ability to "tear your heart out when (he) sings." It's as if every time he sings that song, he has to relive that horrible moment in his mind. And, oddly enough, whatever it is that seems to torment him absolutely sets me free. Thank God for George Jones.

"Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," Alan Jackson
I was taught not to cry growing up. It's not manly. Alan Jackson made me cry like a real man should when I first heard this song. I just kept seeing those images of that day in my mind over and over again. I remembered the panic. I remembered the horror. I remembered the fear. I remembered the intense anger that followed and the fierce pride for my country. And I cried. To think that this man helped an entire nation heal from perhaps its most tragic event humbles me as a songwriter.

"I Saw the Light," Hank Williams
Among the first three songs I ever learned to play, this one is a constant reminder that even the most daring and eccentric of the barroom troubadours eventually found himself kneeling at the feet of the Lord. With his newfound redemption, Hank Williams bows his head with pride and gratitude instead of shame and disgrace. After all, it's a debt that has been settled between God and him. Hopefully someday the Opry will see fit to offer him the same forgiveness and reinstate him to their ranks.

"A Country Boy Can Survive," Hank Williams Jr.
What else is country music about if not country people? Hank Jr. has the ability to get things down to the simplest of concepts and the most basic of terms. There's no denying a true country anthem when you hear it. This song makes me drive too fast and play my guitar too loud.

"Belle of the Ball," Waylon Jennings
Waylon has the most unique way of telling a story through symbolism and metaphors. I once thought this song was about Waylon riding out of town with the "belle of the ball," Jessi Colter. Shooter said that the lady in this song is country music itself. While it changes the perspective of the song to know that, it doesn't change the craftsmanship.

"Crazy," Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline made famous a Willie Nelson song. Hall of Famers both, Willie and Patsy brought a song to the public that has become its own legend. I can hear this one note for note in my head just by thinking about it, and what a great song to send to the one that just broke your heart. "I'm crazy for loving you."

"Go Rest High on That Mountain," Vince Gill
Vince Gill is one of the most brilliant writer/artists of all time. Without knowing who died, he brought this song all the way from his pen to that lump in my throat. I understood the pain he felt ‘cause I felt it, too. The ones that leave this planet before us never know how they will be remembered. But we all hope and pray that when we go, there's somebody here with that song on their heart in our memory.

"The Way I Am," Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard reaches his audience with sometimes brutal honesty. He goes beyond the level of great songwriter to the much more distinguished position of unofficial American poet laureate. Everybody loves Haggard. This is one of my favorite Haggard songs because he's dreaming of the vacation he would take if he could afford to stop for a while. And who hasn't done that at work?

"It Ain't Easy," Shooter Jennings
Shooter Jennings did not have an easy road to ride on when he got into country music. While some folks might think he'd get the royal treatment just because of his namesake, around Nashville that name is more often the very obstacle stopping an artist from having success. They either say it's too far different from the predecessor or too much alike. Shooter rode in from the hard rock school and delivered his message to an unsuspecting country audience without flashing the legacy badge. He built his audience on his own name and with his own songs. This one in particular tells a story only he could tell about his journey from L.A. to the country music fan.

"Set ‘Em Up Joe," Vern Gosdin
My musical mentor, Buddy Cannon, had a hand in writing this Vern Gosdin song. One more case of how a song sometimes becomes famous on its own merit. Buddy has taught me everything I know about recording a song and most of what I know about writing one. Neither man nor song has ever had a better friend in country music than Buddy Cannon.