Jamey Johnson is 50 years old! In honor of Johnson's birthday, which is on July 14, we are uncovering five surprising facts about his life and career.
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1. Jamey Johnson Served In the Military
It's hard to picture Johnson with short hair, but it happened, when he was in the military. Johnson served in the U.S. Marines from 1994 to 2002, reaching the rank of corporal.
"Since I was a young child, I always knew I was going to be a Marine," Johnson says. "I knew when it was time to leave college and do my time in the Marine Corps. I signed up with a recruiter and went to Parris Island. It's this same drive that I have today about doing this kind of song."
2. Jamey Johnson Is Married
Johnson keeps much of his private life private, which is why a lot of people didn't know he was even dating. But on May 20, Johnson married 33-year-old Brittany Eakins, an attorney.
"The best thing about our wedding by far has been bringing together so many people that we love and putting them all in one place," Johnson and Eakins tell People. "It's been so special to watch all of our friends from different places and phases of our lives become friends."
3. Jamey Johnson Won the ACM and CMA Award For Song of the Year
In 2009, Johnson won both the ACM and CMA Award for Song of the Year, for "In Color." Johnson wrote the song with Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto. The song was written as a tribute to Johnson's late grandfather.
"He died in 2000," Johnson shares (via Songfacts). "I've got memories of him. He didn't know I was a songwriter or a singer. He just knew I could sing and write, and that I was moving Nashville to get it done. ... I've always wanted to pay tribute back to thank him for the lessons growing up, all the conversations with him. Nobody ever pays attention to that stuff until they're gone, I'm afraid."
4. Jamey Johnson Became A Member Of The Grand Ole Opry In 2022
People likely assumed Johnson was a member of the Grand Ole Opry long before he actually became one. In 2022, Johnson was inducted into the Opry by Bill Anderson, who also invited him to become a member earlier that year.
"I love country music," Johnson said when Anderson invited him. "I would have never moved here if it wasn't for that; for the Opry keeping it alive and for the fans."
5. Jamey Johnson Has Also Written Hits For Other Writers
Johnson writes plenty of his own hits, but he also writes songs for other artists as well. Among the songs he has written for others include Trace Adkins' "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" and "Ladies Love Country Boys," "Another Side of You" for Joe Nichols, and "Give It Away" for George Strait.
"I write music I'm inspired to write," says Johnson. "I'm always trying to find words that have meaning to me. The inspiration can reveal itself in different ways. But it seldom ever reveals itself through a 'process.'"
