Joamey Johnson got his start in the music industry with BNA Records, and the Alabama-born country singer/songwriter released his debut album TheDollar, in 2006. Though the lead single peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, the follow up single failed to chart and Johnson was consequently dropped form his label. Johnson began focusing on his songwriting and would go on to pen songs for several other artists, including the number one country music hit, "Give It Away," which he co-wrote with Bill Anderson and Cannon for George Strait. After releasing his 2008 album That Lonesome Song, exclusively online Johnson earned the attention of Mercury Nashville Records who offered him a deal and re-released his second album. That Lonesome Song became certified gold by 2009, marking the beginning of several cornerstone moments in Johnson's career, including his nominations for the 2009 CMA Award for New Artist of the Year as well as the 2010 Academy of Country Music Award for Top New Solo Vocalist. In 2011 he joined Kid Rock on his Born Free Tour and played a main stage set at Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown.