Jamey Johnson arrested for drug possession in Williamson County, Tennessee

Just over a week after the release of his first album in 14 years, Midnight gasolineJamey Johnson has been arrested in Williamson County, Tennessee for drug possession. Saving Country Music confirmed with the Williamson County Sherriff’s Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol that the arrest occurred after Johnson was pulled over for speeding on Sunday, November 17.

At this time, no further details are being released pending an ongoing investigation, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. However, reports that Jamey Johnson’s bail was $500,000 appear to be false. His bail was probably $5,000. Williamson County is notorious for keeping arrest details close to the vest pending investigation. This was the case with the arrest of Darius Rucker earlier this year. The charge ultimately turned out to be possession of marijuana.

Johnson, 49, is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and is considered an elder statesman of country music. His latest album features a song titled “Sober,” in which he talks about the difficulties of sober living in middle Tennessee.

‘I have now been sober for 13 years’ Johnson said upon the song’s release. “I haven’t had a drop of alcohol since 2011 and I know that could end this afternoon. It’s a day-by-day, hour-by-hour decision. Most of the places I play are bars, or I still hang out in bars. That’s where most of my friends are. Now I can hang out in it and not drink like I used to. That’s what ‘Sober’ is about.”

In 2016, there were several members of Jamey Johnson’s band arrested in Mississippi for possession of a controlled substance, but Johnson was not charged in the incident. Johnson has no known other prior arrests.

Saving Country Music has reached out to Jamey Johnson’s publicist for a statement but has not heard back as of this post. As more information becomes available, this story will be updated.