Jamey Johnson moved to Nashville on Jan. 1, 2000.

"That was the day that everything was supposed to stop and I decided if the world is going to come crashing down, then I'm going to Nashville to write and sing about it," Johnson said.

Born and raised just outside of Montgomery, Ala., Johnson grew up loving and playing Country Music. At 10, he started playing guitar and after high school, a little college and an eight-year stint in the Marine Corps Reserve, Johnson felt he was ready to pursue his Country Music dreams. The dawn of a new millennium was reason enough to make a change.

He worked as a salesman for a sign company and in construction while he began to find his way around the music industry. Eventually, Johnson played writers nights at clubs and landed work as a demo singer. Among the first professional demo jobs was recording a duet with Gretchen Wilson. He wrote "The Dollar" while splitting time between construction and music. Johnson had spent a few months in the Mobile, Ala., area helping to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Ivan and wondered how to explain to his daughter why adults have to go to work so much. The result was the song about a child who empties a piggy bank to buy a little time with his father.

The song became the album title track and debut single for Johnson when he signed to BNA Records. He wrote or co-wrote 11 of the songs on The Dollar, produced by Buddy Cannon and released Jan. 31. Country Music Hall of Fame member George Jones sings with Johnson on, "Keepin' Up With The Jonesin'."

Johnson, who includes Alabama, Vern Gosdin and both Hanks among his musical influences, is the co-writer of the Trace Adkins hit "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk."

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

What CD is on your stereo right now? "The CD player in my truck doesn't work, but if it did, I would probably be playing Waylon Jennings' Dreaming My Dreams."

What do you sing in the shower? "Nothing. I'm not a morning person."

What moment in your life would you relive if you could? "The birth of my daughter. What a miraculous experience!"

When they look back on your life in 50 years, what do you hope people say about you? "Look! He's still breathing!"

What book is on your nightstand? (1) "The Facts of Life: and Other Dirty Jokes, written by Willie Nelson." (2) "The Bible, written by God and a few divinely inspired humans."

Which mode of transportation do you prefer - planes, trains or automobiles? "I really love riding on the bus. There's just something relaxing about it."

source: CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association