MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Look up in the sky. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a … beard?
You might not have known it, but country music star Jamey Johnson and his unmistakable whiskers spent a few days here and there and above Montgomery during the pandemic.
After all, it’s been Johnson’s hometown since he was three years old. The Grammy-nominated artist, who was born in Enterprise and and lived early on in Troy, started singing in Montgomery’s Calvary Baptist Church. He learned much about music from his dad, a French horn player, and from school instructors at Floyd Jr. and Jeff Davis schools. Life in Alabama’s capital city also molded him to want to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves, which he did from 1994 to 2002. He even carries a piece of Montgomery to all his concerts — a signature-covered guitar called “Old Maple” he got in 1995 from Bailey Brothers.
During the past year and a half, Montgomery is also the place where he’s done some of his flight training on the way to becoming a commercial pilot.
“So during the pandemic, I dropped into Montgomery a few times, especially when I was down there taking checkrides (FAA examinations),” said Johnson. “I’ve been doing all my checkrides down there. And while I’m in town, I’ll drop in and visit with some folks and that sort of thing.”
Johnson will be much more down-to-earth Sunday at Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium, where he and several music friends are banding together for Johnson’s annual Homecoming concert. It’s a fundraiser for the Nikki Mitchell Foundation, which assists families facing a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Gates open at 5 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at jameyjohnson.com. Field level standing only tickets are $50, and bowl seating is $35.
LIFE OF A TOURING MUSICIAN
People often ask Johnson when his next album is coming out. His last one — “Living For a Song” was in 2012. But recording is simply not where his heart’s been.
“No, I don’t have anything in the works. I’m not doing anything,” Johnson said. “You know, right now I’m a touring musician. That’s what I do. Yeah, that’s what I enjoy.”
It’s not an easy …….
Source: https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Country-music-star-Jamey-Johnson-to-become-16779120.php
