When Jamey Johnson and Ronnie Dunn teamed up for a new song, “Never Gonna Be,” which is out today, it was more than just a collaboration. It was a poignant, full-circle moment for both artists. The song, a tribute to the long road countless aspiring artists travel to make it in Nashville, was co-written by Dunn… about Johnson, himself.
The story began 15 years ago, when Dunn and co-writer Terry McBride were inspired by Johnson’s early career and wrote a song to capture the spirit of an “outlaw coming into town.” The lyrics are a powerful description of those who come to Nashville “riding on high hopes, living on dreams,” hoping to find their place among the industry’s “them that are and has beens, and never gonna be.”
For Johnson, the song’s message hit home. He says it takes him back to his early days in Nashville, including a time when his 1986 Dodge was towed while he was playing a gig.
“I thought he nailed the concept as far as everybody coming to Nashville and it chews them up and spits them out,” Johnson said. “I guess I never did know which of those categories I fell into. Now I think I do: I’m a ‘never gonna be,’ and I’m OK with that.”
A consummate storyteller himself, Johnson patiently held onto the song for over a decade, waiting for the exact right moment to record it.
Buddy Cannon: A Bridge Between Two Eras
The recording came to fruition when Johnson began working with producer and long-time friend, Buddy Cannon. As a pivotal figure in the industry since the 1970s, Cannon’s relationships with artists are legendary. He has produced for icons like Willie Nelson and Kenny Chesney and co-wrote George Strait’s CMA-winning hit “Give It Away” with Johnson.
Johnson says it was “cool” that the song finally came together through Cannon. He considers Cannon a mentor and “more than just a bridge between writers and artists.”
“Everybody that I know who does anything in the country music business has got a great story to tell about Buddy Cannon,” Johnson says. “He is one of the few people you will meet that nobody has anything bad to say about him. He is such a good honest person, which is astounding in our business!”
Now, 15 years after its inception, “Never Gonna Be” is finally out, a testament to both Johnson’s journey and the enduring legacy of a legendary songwriting duo.
“Never Gonna Be” is available now on all streaming platforms. You can listen to the song below:
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