Jamey Johnson
I have a friend who is a huge fan of Jamey Johnson. I like him a good bit too, but not nearly much as her. He is a great songwriter. Anyways, she went to a concert this past weekend that the fire marshall had to run people out of the building. She drove 8 hours roundtrip, and in the end she got to attend the concert (thank god) and she met him as well and got a very special autograph. This is a story in the newspaper about the ordeal:
LAWSONVILLE, N.C. -- A popular Stokes County music venue, Hollywood Hollow in Lawsonville, has been fined $54,800 for 366 fire code violations. The business will still be allowed to operate after the proper adjustments are made but will be under strict supervision by the Stokes County Fire Marshal's office.
"We're working with [the owner]," stated Fire Marshal Frankie Burcham.
The civil penalties were issued after Alcohol Law Enforcement agents notified the Fire Marshal's office on Saturday night that dangerous violations were in progress at the Jamey Johnson concert. Johnson, a popular country music artist, has recently skyrocketed to stardom and is currently packing in crowds.
One fire code violation was that the business had maintained no fire department access to the building during the jam-packed concert on March 7. A locked exit constituted another violation. The other 364 civil penalties were issued for Hollywood Hollow being 364 people over the maximum occupancy count of 492.
The no access penalty has been assessed at $50. The fine is $150 for the locked exit. Where the money adds up is the $150 charged for every person present above the legal occupancy.
Burcham and Assistant Fire Marshal Travis Grey reported to the concert after the call from ALE agents. They found the reports of horrendous overcrowding and multitudes of vehicles packed in like sardines to be true. "We had 'em go on stage and make an announcement," Burcham explained how the situation was initially handled.
The directive was that everyone must go outside. Then Burcham and Grey began to allow concertgoers back inside, counting them off as they entered the venue. When the number reached 492, the doors were shut.
Many Johnson fans were distraught that they were not allowed to re-enter the concert. Some claimed to have come from as far as four hours away and had great expense in the venture, including booking hotel rooms.
Fights broke out, more frequently as the final occupants were counted off. The Stokes County Sheriff's Department was on hand to help, and the Patrick County Sheriff's Department was called in to assist. No arrests were made.
Burcham realizes that the fans who missed out on the concert may think of him as the villain in the situation, but he insists he was merely doing his job. "The county's responsibility and my responsibility is to make sure they stay safe," Burcham stated on Monday.
This has not been the case in other episodes across the country in which nightclubs were overcrowded. A fire which broke out in February 2003 during a Great White concert at The Station in West Warwick, Rhode Island, killed 100 people and injured 200 more. Those who died were trapped in the burning building due to locked exits and overcrowding.
Hollywood Hollow's owner Brandon Stahley said that he was aware he was over the limit, but that he had evaluated the size of the building and felt it was safe. He received reports of counterfeit tickets being sold and that people were even selling them in the parking lot. He asks that anyone with information about the fake tickets contact him at 593-3300 or the Sheriff's Department at 593-8787.
Stahley issued this statement: "I want to apologize to every legitimate ticket holder that didn't get in the show. If they give Hollywood Hollow another chance, it will not happen again. We're gonna continue to try to bring A-list artists to Stokes County."
Stahley noted that he is working with the fire marshal to put in more exits so that the business can hold more people. He is also planning to use third-party ticket vendors in the future.
Already he is in negotiation with Jamey Johnson, who contacted him, to do another show-this time outdoors. Stahley says that anyone who would like to present their ticket stub from the Johnson concert will be admitted to an upcoming show at half-price, if they contact him ahead of time. "If they still feel wronged, we're gonna make it right with another show in the future," he avowed.
That would be great if you can make it Cindy! He's awesome live! I hope you get to go
Ok all you Jamey Johnson fans, he is coming to Cattle Annies in Lynchburg, VA on Feb 20th. For anyone close enough to make it, I would reccommend it just because it is a small bar/honky tonk setting. The concerts here are always good and you can get close to the stage. I've seen Blake here before and several others. It is a great small venue.
[quote=crazyCAgirl65]I don't know where you are, hisbabygirl, but Jamey was just here in CA in October-sorry you missed him! I saw him in Turlock, and he also played another show close to there, and one in Los Angeles. I was really tempted to drive to LA until I saw the Turlock date. I'm hoping he'll come back to the area soon-the show was incredible!!![/quote]
I am in Phoenix! That picture of me with Jamey was taken in Nashville in the last week of Sept. I must have snoozed through the month of Oct. because I wasn't aware that he was out in the LA area :(
I too hope he's out this way again soon! I'd love for him to come to Phoenix damn we need some fresh talent in this town!
I don't know where you are, hisbabygirl, but Jamey was just here in CA in October-sorry you missed him! I saw him in Turlock, and he also played another show close to there, and one in Los Angeles. I was really tempted to drive to LA until I saw the Turlock date. I'm hoping he'll come back to the area soon-the show was incredible!!!
I wish Jamey had some West Coast dates soon. I need a Jamey fix
I was excited when I heard Jamey was going to be in the White Liar video!
DID SOMEBODY SAY JAMEY JOHNSON!!!!?????
Sounds like a great time thanks for sharing......
Wow-what a show last night. They were on stage for 3 1/2 hours. Randy came out first and played about an hour. I'm not a huge fan, but I enjoyed his part of the show. After only about a 10 minute break, Jamey came out and played, and played, and played. He went through almost all of the songs on the "That Lonesome Song" CD, one leading into the next just like on the album. He doesn't talk much-in fact I think it was over an hour before he said a word. He also did a song I hadn't heard before, "Nothing is Better Than You" which I loved. He finished his set with "In Color", and had the whole audience singing the last verse. Then he said, "the part of the show you all paid for is over". Randy came out on stage again with his band, and it was no holds barred. The played Waylon, Willie, Merle, The Marshall Tucker Band, and I don't know what all else. Randy left the stage a couple times, but Jamey never left. At one point, I counted 13 people onstage-7 guitars, 2 steel guitars, 2 drummers, and 2 keyboards. As you can see from the pictures, they even had an accordion out there.
Someone in the audience yelled out "play some Jones", and Jamey responded "I'll play whatever the **** I want! Later, another song suggestion was made, and he said "is that you again?". He had the audience cracking up. Towards the end, he played a song (I can't remember what it was) and he said "if you don't like that, you should have left hours ago". He finished with "Give It Away"-there were still a lot of people there right up until the end. I looked at my phone when it was over, and it showed 11:11, and they had started at 7:30. Incredible!!
I highly recommend seeing this tour if it comes to your area. I may try to catch it again somewhere along the way. I believe this was the first time I've ever felt like I'd overdosed on music after a concert-it was awesome!!
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I'm seeing Jamey tonight in Turlock-I can't wait!!! I have a front row seat-been sooooo looking forward to it since I bought the ticket in August. Hope to hear a lot of songs from the latest album. I'll post pics this weekend.
Saw Jamie this Sept. at the Country Jam....He reminds me of a Johny Cash and Waylon Jennnings....I love the In Color song but can do without
the smoking pot in a church parking lot song????
Keep it going and keep it traditional and he will have no problem achieving superstat status.
I saw Jamey only a few days before taking off to Fan Fair (talk about i'm exhausting from working so much, and traveling, and not really resting). Anyways, Jamey came on at approximately 9:40p that Friday night to a packed bar full of LSU FANS watching LSU beat RICE to advance to the College World Series. Jamey didn't stop playing till 1:20 am.........almost 4 hours. I think he may have only stopped for 1 or 2 minutes to sit back and enjoy a drink. He did quite a bit of old cover songs too. I think before 11:00p he told us his contract was up, but he was gonna keep playing. Was one of the cheapest/longest concerts i've ever been too. He sang on my favorite night at LP Field (Saturday) too. I saw that video of Jamey and Keith awhile back :) Thanks for posting it.
Jamey can't miss with that song..then add Keith to the mix?? Awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Here is an amazing video of In Color on you tube with Keith Urban. Jamie showed up at Keith's show at Mohegan Sun. It was just fantastic!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhPqerGUKVk
Today I went to the Texas Club in Baton Rouge to purchase a ticket to see Jamey Johnson tomorrow night. I'm stuck working a 12 hour shift tomorrow, so I'm sure i'll be tired. It sold out on ticketmaster which kinda surprised me, and the Texas Club had Ticketmaster print some extra tickets and I think they may have had 20 tickets left to see him. To my surprise, the guy who sold me my ticket had a shirt on that said "Blake Shelton Crew." So I asked him if he had worked for Blake and he said yep. I think his name was CJ or at least that is what I think I heard someone call him. He said Blake was fun to to work for.
Jamey did an aweseome job at the George Tribute! He and Lee Ann did well together!
I was really hoping he'd win album of the year. I hated to see him up against Trace for single and song, but I love the song In Color alot- especially with my pawpaw dying recently, and being my grandp was in World War II, and kinda grew up around New Orleans ;) I hear the song and think of him. I'm so happy Jamey won 1 out of 3 :)
I agree Jamey had a really really strong album, and I think he deserved it as well. Color just grabs me every single time I hear it, it gives me the chills and there aren't many songs that do that to me. Jamey did an awesome job with it!
Congrats! Jamey!!!!!!!!!!!! You did an awesome job with Color!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are I think two videos on this website with Jamey practicing "Give It Away" with Lee Ann Womack ........looks like they will be singing it together on the ACMS for George Strait.........I think I may like it better with just Jamey sing it. (They spelled his name "Jamie" on the videos).
http://leeannwomack.umgnashville.com/
From what I've been told they did an awesome job as a duet on this song for the tribute!
I love the video of James and Jamey, and I will say I do know Trace did record "In Color" before Jamey decided to do so and it is available as a bonus track on iTunes. I hope James and Jamey will win for Song of the Year! I would be so happy!!
I had no idea that Trace did In Color too, I will have to go listen to his version! Was it on one of his albums?
Thanks, I love that song. They need to co-write another hit!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHkzP9l0Isk
That is a cool youtube video of Jamey with James Otto!!!
Thanks Paula for the link to the youtube video. I enjoyed watching it.
Also, I can't see nobody else singing "Give It Away" on the George Strait Special but Jamey.
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Just wanted to let those of you who like him know that he will be performing on the ACM special for George Strait. They better let him sing "Give It Away"! I also got an email today saying he will be playing at Titan Stadium for Fan Fair :)
So anybody watch Crossroads last night? I enjoyed it a lot. I thought Shooter's and Jamey's duet of 'High Cost of Living' was neat.
It was also interesting to hear Jamey talk about the word choice in HCoL and why he won't change it. Love an artist that won't sacrifice the art to make it Disney rated. You go Jamey!
I didn't realize that Jamey had written George Strait's 'Just Give It Away'. When he started singing a bit of that song I went "Oh yeah, THAT'S what that song is SUPPOSED to sound like." It's amazing how Jamey's is so different than George's even though every note and every word are the same.
Renae...Yes, of course I watched the Crossroads show last night. I had been patiently waiting for this show to come on for about a month now. I thought the show was awesome.
Paula... Yes, you are correct about the song, "In Color" Trace was suppose to record it, but when Jamey got his current record deal he wanted this song for his CD, so Trace let him have it back. Trace did record theses songs, " Honky Tonk Badonkatonk", " I Got My Game On", and " Ladies Love Country Boys" all co-written by Jamey. Joe Nichols, John M. Montgomery, and The Oak Ridge Boys have recorded songs by Jamey too.
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On one of the award shows, when Jamey and Bill Anderson won for writing "Give It Away" he thanked his ex-wife in his acceptance speech- I thought it was too funny! At fan fair last year he sang it at the River stage, and at Titan Stadium. I love his version. I think he wrote some of Trace Adkins stuff as well. I had heard a rumor about a few of the country singers being upset that he released "In Color" because they had wanted it for themselves. I'm glad he released it. I think I caught the show last night halfway thru, because I had forgot until my friend texted me. I liked him explaining the words cocaine and that other surprising one. (I had been wondering if the song was true for awhile myself). My friend Jessica had told me she asked him about it and he said that those words were like a metaphor between him and his record label as well.
I really like Jamey, he's one of few that makes real, great country music these days! I just recently found his first cd (the one that The Dollar is on) i didnt even know it released. His new cd is even more amazing!
I'm glad you found a copy of his 1st CD, The Dollar. That CD was released back in Jan. of 2006. :)
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I'll be watching! Jamey's great.
Roline
Reminder that Jamey and Shooter Jenning's Crossroads premiers on CMT tonight.
Just found out he is coming to Houston next month!! FREAKING OUT!! WOO HOO!!
I bet you are! If ya get to go have fun!!!!
My mom thinks Jamey sounds like an old-time country singer on his latest cd. His new single "High Cost Of Living" is great. It's one of my favorites on the cd.
Jamey does sound like very traditional country! He's one of the few.
Yea, we were packed in there like sardines. Of course we were right at the bandstand.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/geauxlsu1/101_0314.jpg
Claire
I was nowhere's near the front in that place Claire!
I was reading an article on Blake Shelton yesterday on CMT.com and he mentioned Jamey's name..
He said in the article.....Of the "new generation" of country singers, Shelton cited as his favorites Lady Antebellum, Jamey Johnson and Jake Owen, whom he described as "an incredible singer."
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I just cannot get into Lady Antebellum for some reason. I've tried, but just can't get into their songs.
I LOVE this man. I think he is doing great things for country music!
I love Jamey and I will be seeing him this May in my area. I can't wait. I truly admire his songwriting ability from the first moment I heard him.
Thanks so much Nicole for the post on Jamey.That was really a great story and I hope you can finally meet him one day. How awesome that you got to work so closely with him all those years when he was first starting out.
That fire code article is something else too. Glad they are trying to make everything right with that place.
The stuff about the fire code kinda reminded me of a Blake concert I went to here in Louisiana- Claire & Katri both went to the same concert I think.l It was in a tiny town in the middle of nowheres- Montpelier, LA at a place called Bear Creek. I have to think that the venue was violating fire code. We were packed in that place like sardines. Took forever to even get a drink. I went once in the summertime to see John Anderson, and the place must of been running window units, and it was way too HOT. I guess maybe they are slipping the fire marshall a little extra cash in that town. I had a M&G with Blake the very next night at a concert in LA, and had mentioned that I saw him the night before, and he said, glad to see you made it out alive (referring to Bear Creek).
Nicole, I think you are myspace friends with my good Kentucky buddy Jessica :) I don't really like the barroom type places either, but will go sometimes. Jamey seems to be the type to me that would enjoy those venues, but maybe i'm wrong, lol. Paragon Casino is a really nice venue I thought (and I think they let you bring kids, but people are drinking beer but it's now rowdy and smoky)- I wish I had known that Jamey was opening for him, because I would have bought tickets, long before they sold out. It's a 3 hour drive for me I think, so I'd imagine it would be even longer for you. That is neat that you have a copy of that CD. I know Dierks Bentley has a CD like that too. I wish someone could sale them! A few years ago I bought some CD's that were specially made for Amie Comeaux- not sure if you remember her?
I remember Amie. She was on the verge of
stardom when she was killed in an auto accident.
She was a beautiful and very young girl!
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That's neat that you remember Amie. I actually have her autograph, and a few photos with her. She did an appearance at a local gas station that they were giving concert tickets away at. I even had a poster at one point with her photo. She left the world much too young.
Hi Cajun Country,
Yes, you are correct I'm friends with Jessica over on MySpace. I saw you were in her top friends on her MySpace page. Well, the reason I don't go in them honky tonk bar type venues is because of the smoke in them. I'm allergic to smoke so I can't be long in smoky places. Yeah most of the tour dates on his schedule looks like they are in them bar type venues. Oh well, sooner or later I hope he'll come back down here our way and play a venue like's more family friendly and I wouldn't have to be concern for the smoke. These days all the country artists tend to play in the casinos though whenever they come to Louisiana most of the time. The Paragon Casino Resort is a 3 hour drive from my house too.
Yes, I remember Amie Comeaux too.
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Looks like the Willie/Jamey concert in Marksville concert got cancelled due to issue's with Willie's health. They are saling tickets now for Clay Walker who I saw in December at Paragon- i'm contemplating a trip. (Just wish Jamey would be there).