Country music star Jamey Johnson, known for his blend of traditional and outlaw country sounds, has released a deeply personal new single, “Sober,” that reflects on his battles with addiction and his journey toward sobriety. The song, released on Friday, Aug. 30, offers a candid look at the challenges Johnson has faced in maintaining his sobriety in an industry that often glorifies substance use.
Johnson, 49, a native of Enterprise, Alabama, who grew up in Montgomery, rose to fame in 2008 with his acclaimed album That Lonesome Song and the hit single “In Color.” His music, often described as rugged yet sensitive, has earned him four awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association between 2007 and 2009, along with 10 Grammy nominations.
Despite a quieter period in recent years, Johnson has made a strong return in 2024 with four singles, including “21 Guns,” “What a View,” and a cover of Charlie Daniels’ “Trudy.” His latest track, “Sober,” co-written with James Slater, delves into the difficulties of staying sober in a culture that often celebrates drinking.
“‘Sober’ is about how hard it is to stay sober in a town that glorifies drinking and other kinds of debauchery—not just glorifies it, but it is in just about every song in country music one way or the other,” Johnson explained in a press release. “It’s about how difficult it is being a songwriter to stay sober in the presence of it.”
Johnson, who has been sober for 13 years, emphasized the daily struggle that sobriety entails. “I haven’t had a drop of alcohol since 2011, and I know that could end this afternoon,” he said. “It is a day-to-day, hour-to-hour decision. Most of the places I play are bars, or I am still hanging out in bars. That’s where most of my friends are. Now I can hang out in them and not be drinking like I used to. That is what ‘Sober’ is about.”
