Jamey Johnson

Live at the Riverside Theater 12/2/2010
by Jennifer Bronenkant
Posted: Dec 2010
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Jamey Johnson live at the Riverside in Milwaukee - photo by Jennifer Bronenkant

Often credited as the Outlaw Country singer who will save Country Music from the “new country” that Nashville is pumping out, Jamey Johnson came to Milwaukee and proved he is much more than that.
Johnson opened his set with crowd favorites “High Cost Of Living”, “Angel” and “Lonely At The Top”. These hits brought fans to their feet where many stayed for most of the show.

With two back to back Grammy nominated albums, “That Lonesome Song” and the recently released double album “The Guitar Song”, this singer/songwriter has more than enough of his own material to fill a concert set. But instead of playing only from his own impressive song list, Johnson sang several covers. These included songs from country greats like Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams and Waylon Jennings along with rousing renditions of rock songs made famous by ZZ Top (“La Grange”) and Bob Seger (“Here I Am On The Road Again”).

With his deep rich voice and slow drawling deliverance, Johnson sang heartbreaking ballads along with high energy rock equally as well. As the crowd sang along with the sentimental hit single, “In Color” Johnson turned the microphone towards the audience and just played while fans sang every word. Johnson and his band totally rocked out in his cover of Waylon Jennings “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way”. He closed the set with an uplifting performance of Hank Williams? “I Saw The Light”.

While many label him as Outlaw Country, Johnson continues to prove that he is an artist that can?t be easily put in a box.

Up and coming Wisconsin native Josh Thompson opened the show with an impressive high energy performance. His blue collar, beer drinking, tractor driving songs played well to the Milwaukee audience.

Setlist:
1. High Cost Of Living
2. Angel
3. Lonely At The Top
4. Cover Your Eyes
5. Playing The Part
6. Poor Man Blues
7. Can?t Cash My Checks
8. Baby Don?t Cry
9. Heartache
10. Mental Revenge
11. Even The Skies Are Blue
12. By The Seat Of Your Pants
13. California Riots
14. You Take Me For Granted
15. La Grange
16. That?s The Way Love Goes
17. Walking
18. Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground
19. In Color
20. Here I Am On The Road Again
21. Give It Away
22. For The Good Times
23. I Saw The Light