Jamey Johnson Cuts "Color" Without a "Trace"

Jamey Johnson photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Feb. 4, 2009 — Jamey Johnson and Trace Adkins are both nominated for a Grammy this Sunday for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, but that’s not the only thing they have in common. It turns out that both of them recorded the song that Jamey’s nominated for, "In Color."

"Trace did cut it," says songwriter Lee Thomas Miller, who was a co-writer on both "In Color" and Trace’s hit "You’re Gonna Miss This." "[Trace] cut a great record on it. I think Jamey, when he wrote it, in the back of his mind wanted to do somethin' on it. But he didn’t have a deal, so he really didn’t stop Trace from cutting it. So kind of the next thing we know, Trace has cut it, it’s done, it’s ready to go, and guess what? Jamey’s released it as a single. Universal has signed him. Trace was gracious. From what he told me, ‘The guy wrote the song. What am I gonna do?’"

That’s not the only connection Jamey has with the other nominees for Best Country Male. George Strait, who’s nominated for "Troubadour," won several awards with Jamey’s song "Give It Away." And James Otto, who’s a finalist with "Just Got Started Lovin’ You," co-wrote "In Color" with Jamey and Lee.

As a result, Jamey’s very sensitive about the way their Grammy nominations have been portrayed.

"I saw one write-up somewhere that said I was up for a Grammy against my friend James Otto," Jamey told the Associated Press. "When I see writing like that and the terminology that people use, it bothers me. That ... might fly when you're talking about an ‘American Idol' competition, but I'm not ‘against' any of my friends."

Despite Jamey’s contention, the Recording Academy’s voters still had to make a choice when they filled out their ballot. That does indeed have all the earmarks of a competition.

No matter who wins, Jamey plans to attend the awards when they’re handed out Sunday in Los Angeles. He also plans to sing his latest single, "High Cost Of Living," this Thursday on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."