Jamey Johnson at Choctaw Grand Theater

Jamey Johnson emerged from the Alabama honky-tonk circuit in the early 2000s and quickly became one of the most respected writers in country music. His 2008 album That Lonesome Song produced the iconic single "In Color," and his follow-up The Guitar Song (2010) was nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Album. Along the way he wrote hits for other artists, including "Give It Away" for George Strait and "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" for Trace Adkins. Few songwriters working today carry the traditional country flame with as much conviction.

The Traveling Truebadour Tour is a stripped-down affair built around Johnson's voice and his guitar, with arrangements that stay close to the songs. It is a different experience from a full-blast arena show: quieter, deeper, and entirely focused on the music. For fans of hard country, this is about as good as a November night gets.

A second area stop this fall

Johnson already played Stage 271 in Grant, Oklahoma, over Labor Day weekend, and this November 21 date at the Grand Theater in Durant gives the region a second chance to catch him this fall. Between the two venues, concert-goers in Northeast Texas now have more options for major country acts within an hour of home than ever before, a real advantage for anyone weighing a move to Lamar County.

Getting there

The Choctaw Grand Theater is part of the Choctaw Casino & Resort complex in Durant, Oklahoma, about an hour from downtown Paris on US-271 north through the Red River valley. The complex includes multiple restaurants, a hotel, and gaming, making it easy to turn the show into a full evening. Tickets are available through the Choctaw event page, which links to Ticketmaster; the casino box office does not sell advance tickets for the theater.

From 3870 County Road 45080, the drive runs about 50 minutes, close enough for a Saturday night show and an easy drive home to the quiet of Arthur City.