Jamey Johnson is among the many esteemed country artists contributing to the new Tom Petty tribute album, “Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty.” This compilation includes performances from notable stars like George Strait, Lainey Wilson, Dolly Parton, Chris Stapleton, and, of course, Johnson himself.
“Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty” was released on Friday, June 21, offering fans their first opportunity to hear Johnson’s rendition of “I Forgive It All.”
According to Johnson’s Facebook page, “I Forgive It All” was one of the final tracks Petty recorded before his untimely passing in 2017 at the age of 66. This poignant song saw Petty reuniting with Mudcrutch, the Southern and country rock band he originally performed with in the early 1970s.
Mudcrutch was instrumental in launching Petty’s career, though he left the band in 1974 to form Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He rejoined Mudcrutch in 2007, remaining their lead vocalist until his death.
“I Forgive It All,” penned by Petty, is the fifth track on Mudcrutch’s album “Mudcrutch 2.” The music video for this song is notable for being directed by Sean Penn and Samuel Bayer and starring the Academy Award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins.
Jamey Johnson’s interpretation of “I Forgive It All” is a heartfelt tribute, characterized by its stripped-down, acoustic arrangement that highlights his distinct vocal delivery. His voice complements the song so well that it feels like a track he might have recorded himself, adding depth and resonance to his cover.