Jamey Johnson was awarded an honorary doctorate at Jacksonville State University, where he is launching a new annual series designed to bring cultural and educational opportunities to students at his alma mater.
He also served as the commencement speaker during Friday’s graduation ceremony at Pete Mathews Coliseum. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed that December 15 would henceforth be known as Jamey Johnson Day in Alabama, the state in which he was born and raised.
“In my family, we have a rule about relationships: we only choose the ones that choose us back,” Johnson says. “Jacksonville State University and I chose each other 30 years ago and we still stand together today.”
He performed at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, and on Sunday sang “Georgia on My Mind” on the star-studded CBS primetime special Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration.
It was announced during the concert that Johnson has created the Jamey Johnson Music Series to allow JSU students to learn from successful recording artists and songwriters through performances, workshops, and lectures.
Johnson enrolled at Jacksonville State University in 1993 and studied music education. He received a full scholarship to play French horn and mellophone in the Marching Southerners. He left JSU to join the U.S. Marines, where he served for eight years.