Country Star Jamey Johnson Breaks Silence After Decade-Long Hiatus

In a recent interview, country music artist Jamey Johnson has revealed the reason behind his decade-long absence from the studio. Johnson, known for his commitment to traditional country music, released his latest album "Midnight Gasoline" last year, marking his first new material in 14 years.

According to Johnson, the dry spell was largely due to a severe concussion he suffered in 2010 after slipping on ice outside a Nashville studio. The accident left him with cognitive issues, including difficulty concentrating and an increased sense of anger and frustration. "Everything in me was fight or flight... It felt like a lot of anger. A lot of frustration," Johnson recalls.

The concussion also coincided with the release of Johnson's 2010 double album "The Guitar Song," further exacerbating his struggles. While he continued to write songs, he felt his output was diminished and would often offer them to fellow country stars like Willie Nelson, George Strait, and Merle Haggard.

Johnson also reveals that he turned to heavy drinking after the accident, but finally quit in 2011. "That's right about the time I started [to get] blackout drunk. And it took me a while to heal up. Finally, in 2011, I quit drinking," he says.

In hindsight, Johnson now realizes the extent of the damage caused by the 2010 fall. "That thing did a lot more damage than I thought it had done at the time," he admits. "Looking back, it's so evident to me now, that's the point where the rock hit the water -- the asphalt hit my head."

With his latest album release, Johnson has emerged from this challenging period, ready to reconnect with his devoted country music fans.