Jamey Johnson Unveils Midnight Gasoline, His First Album in 14 Years
Country music legend Jamey Johnson has officially launched his highly-anticipated album, Midnight Gasoline, today, marking his debut release under Warner Music Nashville. This album, Johnson’s first solo project in 14 years, offers fans a journey through his reflections and stories, showcasing both his rich storytelling and musical prowess.
New Music Video for “Someday When I’m Old” Premieres on CMT
Accompanying the album release, CMT premiered the music video for Johnson’s latest single, “Someday When I’m Old.” The video debuted across CMT platforms, including CMT Music, CMT Equal Play, and even made an appearance on the Paramount Times Square Billboard.
Johnson, who served as the executive producer for the video, helped craft a powerful concept in which he offers advice to his younger self. Directed by Joel Robertson, the video uses a mix of AI technology and post-editing effects to portray Johnson both as a young man and in his current form, creating an emotional resonance as Johnson reflects on the passage of time.
“The idea behind the video is if I could go back and meet the younger version of me, what would I say?” Johnson reflects. “Or would I?”
The video artfully integrates elements from Johnson’s own life, including his cherished guitar, “Ole Maple,” his 1986 Dodge truck from his Nashville journey, and even clothing he wore in his early days, adding authenticity and nostalgia to the story.
In the video as in real life, the young Johnson has his truck towed near a club he was playing in downtown Nashville.
“The first line in the song says, ‘Someday when I’m old, I’ll pull up to the store and park wherever the hell I want to.’ That makes me think of the time when I was young and had first moved to Nashville,” he says. “I parked my old ‘86 Dodge out in front of Tootsie’s and went in and played.”
But the next time he parked near Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, his truck was towed. “I liked the idea of this version of me telling that younger version of me that someday when I’m old, I’ll get to park wherever the hell I want to,” he says.
“I like the part where it says, ‘I realize that some things just don’t matter and how fast it all goes.’ If I could go back and bullet point that, I would try to give myself that message. It goes fast. It goes so fast.”
Watch the Video for “Someday When I’m Old”
Midnight Gasoline: A Return to Classic Country Roots
Produced in collaboration with Warner Music Nashville and Big Gassed Records, Midnight Gasoline serves as the first album in Johnson’s Cash Cabin Series. Named “Cash One,” the series will be recorded at the historic Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee—formerly owned by Johnny and June Carter Cash. This album continues the themes from his previous solo works, including the platinum-certified That Lonesome Song and the gold-certified The Guitar Song, which topped the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
The album introduces fans to several new tracks, including “21 Guns,” “What a View,” “Trudy,” “Sober,” and “Saturday Night in New Orleans,” which Johnson released over the last few months. Known for his ability to create timeless, narrative-driven songs, Johnson collaborated with notable co-writers like Jim “Moose” Brown, Dallas Davidson, Randy Houser, and Chris Stapleton, among others.
Midnight Gasoline Track Listing
- “Bad Guy” (Jamey Johnson and Dale Dodson)
- “Midnight Gasoline” (Scotty Emerick, Dean Dillon and Jeff Hyde)
- “What a View” (Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Rob Hatch and Dallas Davidson)
- “21 Guns” (Jamey Johnson and Jim “Moose” Brown)
- “Someday When I’m Old” (Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey and Troy Verges)
- “Trudy” featuring Randy Houser (Charlie Daniels)
- “One More Time” (Jamey Johnson, Ernest Keith Smith and Rob Hatch)
- “Saturday Night in New Orleans” (Jamey Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Tony Joe White)
- “Sober” (Jamey Johnson and James Slater)
- “I’m Tired of It All” (Dallas Davidson and Kyle Fishman)
- “No Time Like the Past” (Jamey Johnson and Chris Stapleton)
- “What You Answer To” (Jamey Johnson, Ira Dean, Ajay Popoff and Jeremy Popoff)
Jamey Johnson: Honoring Tradition and Legacy in Country Music
Johnson’s impact on country music is undeniable. As a ten-time GRAMMY nominee and Grand Ole Opry member, he has been celebrated as “one of the greatest country singers of our time” by The Washington Post. His writing credits include hits recorded by icons like George Strait, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson, and he has earned accolades for preserving the integrity of classic country music.
His live performances have also earned widespread acclaim, from his emotional rendition of “Georgia on My Mind” for Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration on CBS to his heartfelt performance of “Angels Among Us” for CMT Giants: Alabama.
Looking Forward: Johnson’s New Ventures and Collaborations
Fresh off his “What a View” headlining tour, Johnson is now part of the “Life is a Carnival: Last Waltz Tour ’24,” which pays homage to The Band’s historic 1976 concert. He joins a stellar lineup, including Ryan Bingham, Lukas Nelson, and Don Was. Additionally, Johnson participated in Life Is a Carnival: A Music Celebration of Robbie Robertson, directed by Martin Scorsese, which will release soon.
With Midnight Gasoline, Jamey Johnson reaffirms his dedication to honoring the roots of country music while embracing new stories and connections. His album and video for “Someday When I’m Old” showcase his unwavering commitment to storytelling and his appreciation for both his past and the journey ahead.
