For quite some time, Addison Johnson has been a model of country music consistency. Not just in the quantity of music he’s released over the years, but the quality of that music, as well.
When pressing play on any Addison Johnson record, you can be assured that you’re in for elite-level storytelling behind uber-country instrumentation. Along with being a hardcore road dog, it’s how Johnson has built his brand.
The release of his newest album, The State I’m In, finds Johnson raising the bar, once again. With a handful of nods to life as an independent artist, Johnson closes the album with an anthem-type song for people chasing their dreams.
We caught up with Johnson to chat all about The State I’m In, his ever-busy touring schedule, his favorite sad country songs and more!
Pro Country: You released your last album, Dangerous Men, just over two years ago. With that time having passed, how do you look back on that record and the songs on it?
Addison Johnson: I’m very proud of that album. The majority of the songs on it are still in my set today. It really helped set the table for these new songs, as well as for my growth as an artist and as a person. I’ll probably play “Out of Control” until I die.
PC: You released “The Conspiracy Song,” the first song from your new album, The State I’m In, last February. Why did you feel that “The Conspiracy Song” was the right lead track to release?
AJ: Well, I find conspiracy theories to be fascinating. I don’t necessarily believe all of them, but a lot of them seem to become truer by the day. Even if you don’t believe in them, everyone knows someone who does. We live in a world today where there is just an avalanche of information. This has been such a great song to play live. You can always see the audience pointing each other out. That’s been pretty fun.
PC: With nearly a year and a half of buildup, how excited are you to have The State I’m In released into the world?
AJ: I’m very excited. There’s been so much work that has gone into this album. I really poured everything I have into it. I’ve been playing some of these songs live for a while now, and the reaction has been everything I hoped for.
PC: “Money Business” is a fantastic boot stomper that talks about the reality of being an independent musician in the music business. With so many years of hitting the road hard and artistry under your boots, what have you learned about running a business and sustaining your career?
AJ: I think that might be an entire article by itself [laughs]. I’ve learned that it’s, most importantly, a people business. To make a living doing this, you need to realize that it’s a group effort. Yeah, I write and sing the songs, and I drive the van, but without great venue owners, there would be nowhere to play. Without great fans, there would be no one to sing to. There are a lot more people than just the artists putting their money and time on the line. Take care of people, and they’ll take care of you.
PC: “I Ain’t Livin’” is a great, classic country tune that is our favorite song on The State I’m In. Can you take us in the room and talk about how the song came together?
AJ: My favorite country songs are the ones that pull no punches. There’s no Hollywood ending coming to save you, just real, raw human emotion. I think there’s been a time in all of our lives when we’ve felt stuck, whether it’s in a job or just a state of mind. Everything can be right, and you still feel wrong, but you pull yourself together and do what you have to do, even if it’s not what you want to do.
PC: The album’s title track closes the record and is an ode to touring musicians. Why did you feel “The State I’m In” was the right song to serve as the title track and to close the record?
AJ: Yes, it definitely leans into my life as a touring musician, but I think this song is for anyone who’s left home to chase their dreams. Driving on the highway at 2 a.m. can be a surreal thing. It’s often a time of reflection, restlessness, self-doubt, loneliness, and beauty all at once. I think the production and lyrics of this song paint that picture. Pushing yourself because the job’s not done. There are still miles to go.
PC: What do you hope listeners take away from The State I’m In after listening all the way through?
AJ: Mostly, I hope they enjoy the ride and are able to take things away from it that apply to their own lives and experiences. When setting up the track list for this album, I arranged it to flow like a live show. I hope they’re able to groove, laugh and cry. This album was designed to be played all the way through.
PC: As we write this, you are scheduled to have your album release party at the famous Nashville Palace on June 26th. How excited are you to take such a historic stage and bring the album’s songs to a live setting with a full band?
AJ: It should be a special night. The Nashville Palace is a great venue with a ton of history, and I’m looking forward to celebrating with fans, partners, and all the folks who helped make this album happen.
PC: As usual, you have a full slate of dates lined up for the rest of the year, including a month long run overseas kicking off in August. How excited are you to stay so busy, and to have the opportunity to spend so much time overseas and play for new people?
AJ: It’s always great to be busy. There was a time when I wasn’t, so I try not to take that for granted. Going to Europe has been one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten to do, and getting to do a month-long tour there is really beyond my wildest dreams.
PC: You’ve branded “Sad Song Nation” and sell merch that says “Sad Songs Make Me Happy.” That said, can you tell us a few of your favorite sad country songs?
AJ: We could do a whole other article on this as well. “Misery and Gin” by Merle Haggard is still my all-time favorite song. I could name about 80 George Jones songs, but “I’ve Aged Twenty Years in Five” is so damn good. Alecia Nugent’s version of “Paper and Pen” is another favorite, as well as pretty much anything by Lee Ann Womack.
PC: With The State I’m In now released, what do you have planned for the rest of 2026?
AJ[1]: Tour like hell and get it to as many folks as possible. I’m grateful for the opportunity to make records and play them live, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
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