Jamey Johnson may be new to most country fans. But for artists such as Trace Adkins, George Strait and Joe Nichols, the Alabama native is a household name.

Johnson, in fact, is a co-writer on "Give It Away," country superstar Strait’s 41st record-setting No. 1 single, as well the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year and the Academy of Country Music’s top song for ‘07.

A resident of Nashville since Jan. 1, 2000, Johnson also penned several of Adkins’ hits, including 2005’s "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," a No. 2 single, and 2007’s "Ladies Love Country Boys," a former No. 1, not to mention Nichols’ Top-20 single, "Another Side of You."

Nonetheless, with his career as an in-demand songwriter secure, Johnson, in 2007, set about the task of creating the 14-track "That Lonesome Song," which is his third studio album and his first CD for Mercury Nashville. Currently, the Grammy-nominated country album's first single, "In Color," is among the top 10 on Billboard's country charts and still climbing.“Writing is not enough for me,” Johnson has said. “I did not come here (to Nashville) to just be a writer. I live to play. … I’m not here to take a stab at it. I am going to do it.”

To read more about the bearded musician and former Marine—who lists Alan Jackson and super-group Alabama among his influences—including about how being dropped by his first major label and going through a divorce inspired his current success, please click on the headline link above or cut and paste: http://countrymusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/new_country_musics_jamey_johnson

Movie fans are most familiar with comedic-actor Jack Black, 39, from his roles in films such as the animated hit, Kung Fu Panda, or the recent Tropic Thunder, as well as Shallow Hal, Nacho Libre, Saving Silverman, Orange County, King Kong, Be Kind Rewind, Envy and School of Rock, among other flicks.

But in a recent interview, the California native said singing with his father-in-law, jazz double-bassist Charlie Haden, on the traditional bluegrass song called "Old Joe Clark" was something that came surprisingly natural to the quirky thespian who’s gravitated toward rock ‘n’ roll, not country music, for most of his life.

"I wasn't sure what to expect, because I haven't recorded or really sung any old songs like that before, bluegrass style, but it came very naturally and I cranked it out in two takes," Black remarked in the AP interview, referring to his rendition of "Old Joe Clark," which is contained on Haden’s 19-song, Grammy-nominated "Rambling Boy" CD.

"There was something in the music that I think struck a chord in my DNA," Black has said of his energetic foray into bluegrass. "I think I've got some hillbilly in my roots. ... (And) I'm already practicing my square dancing if we play the Grand Ole Opry."

To read the full story, including the history of the Kentucky mountain ballad and it's murdered namesake, please view the full story by clicking the headline link above or cutting and pasting this address in your browser: http://countrymusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/hollywoods_jack_black_making_country_music