Jason Isbell
Michael Jason Isbell (/ˈɪzbʊl/;[2] born February 1, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is known for his solo career, his work with the band The 400 Unit, and as a former member of Drive-By Truckers for six years, from 2001 to 2007.[3][4][5] Isbell has won four Grammy Awards.
Jason Isbell | |
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Isbell with the 400 Unit at Bowery Ballroom, NYC in January 2013 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Michael Jason Isbell[1] |
Born | Green Hill, Alabama, U.S. | February 1, 1979
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, guitarist |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar, electronic keyboard |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels |
|
Associated acts | Drive-By Truckers, Amanda Shires, |
Website | jasonisbell |
Early life
Isbell was born in Green Hill, Alabama, two miles from the Alabama/Tennessee state line,[6] the son of interior designer mother Angela Hill Barnett and house painter Mike Isbell.[7][8] Isbell's mother was only 17 years old (and his father 19 years old) when he was born[9] and is the subject of a song, "Children of Children".[10] Isbell's parents divorced, and he has two much younger half-siblings, Chantry Barnett and Emily Isbell.[2]
Isbell grew up in North Alabama. His grandparents lived on a farm down the road, next to the school that Isbell attended; they looked after him while his parents were at work. His grandfather and uncle taught him to play various musical instruments,[11] including the mandolin when he was 6 years old as it was easier for him to grip as a small child. They enjoyed gospel music, bluegrass music, and the Grand Ole Opry. In high school, he played trumpet and French horn.[2] Isbell's family would get together and play music every week, sometimes twice a week, which Isbell said has a lot to do with where he comes from and the family's focus on music.[12][13] Isbell's paternal grandfather, who came from a musical family, was a Pentecostal preacher and played guitar in church. Isbell spent his childhood attending both the Pentecostal church and the stricter Church of Christ, which permitted only singing (no musical instruments).[2][14]
Isbell started playing in a garage band and a country cover band when he was 14 or 15 years old with his friend, songwriter Chris Tompkins.[15] They played at the Grand Ole Opry when Isbell was 16.[2]
Isbell attended the University of Memphis,[16] studying English and creative writing. He did not graduate, still requiring one physical education credit.[2]
Career
When Isbell was a teenager, many musicians took him under their wing.[17] He got to know session bassist David Hood, the father of Drive-By Truckers co-founder Patterson Hood, because Hood was in the Florence, Alabama area and played around town on Friday and Saturday nights in local restaurants and bars. By this time, Patterson Hood and his future Drive-By Truckers co-founder, Mike Cooley, were older and had moved out of town. Isbell would go watch David Hood and others perform. It took a while, but once he finally got up the nerve to tell them he played, they'd have him sit in with them, which resulted in friendship and mentorship.[2]
Isbell submitted demos and eventually got a publishing deal with FAME Studios of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, when he was 21 years old. He worked with FAME for 15 years through his award winning "Southeastern" album. Isbell also recorded pieces of those same solo albums at FAME Studios, as well as the Drive By Truckers "Dirty South" album. [18]
Drive-By Truckers
After working as a songwriter, in 2001 at the age of 22, Isbell joined the rock band Drive-By Truckers while they toured in support of their album Southern Rock Opera.[19] The band operates out of Athens, Georgia, where Isbell lived while with the band. Patterson Hood recalls that he met Isbell through Dick Cooper, a mutual friend from Muscle Shoals.[20] Hood already knew Shonna Tucker and invited Isbell to join the Drive-By Truckers after he sat in with the group at an acoustic house party when guitarist Rob Malone didn't show up.[21]
Isbell recorded and contributed many songs to the Drive-By Truckers for their next three albums, 2003's Decoration Day, 2004's The Dirty South, and 2006's A Blessing and a Curse. The title track of Decoration Day was revealed by Isbell in the 2014 Live from Lincoln Center concert to be a true story about his family members.[22]
For most of his time as a band member, Isbell was married to Shonna Tucker, who joined the band after Isbell as a bassist. The two were part of the band's documentary, The Secret to a Happy Ending.[23] The two later divorced.[24]
On April 5, 2007, Isbell announced that he was no longer a member of the Drive-By Truckers. The following day, Patterson Hood confirmed the break on the band's official site. In his letter to the fans, Hood described the parting of ways as "amicable" and expressed the hope that fans would continue to support the Drive-By Truckers as well as Jason's solo efforts.[25] Isbell had been with the Drive-By Truckers for six years.[10]
On June 15, 2014, Isbell teamed with Hood and Mike Cooley for a benefit at the Shoals Theater in Florence, Alabama.[26] The sold-out acoustic performance was the first time Isbell had performed with his former bandmates since they split in 2007.[27] In August 2015, Hood joined Isbell onstage and played a couple of Drive-By Truckers songs together in Hood's new adopted hometown of Portland, Oregon.[28]
Solo work
Jason Isbell released his first solo album, Sirens of the Ditch, on July 10, 2007. In 2012, Isbell supported singer-songwriter Ryan Adams on his tour. Both played solo acoustic sets.
On June 11, 2013, Isbell released his fourth solo album, Southeastern. Produced by Dave Cobb and featuring accompanying vocals by Kim Richey and Isbell's wife, Amanda Shires, Southeastern received overwhelmingly positive critical reviews, earning a score of 87[29] on Metacritic.[30] Southeastern led to Isbell's clean sweep of the 2014 Americana Music Awards. Southeastern won Album of the Year, Isbell was named Artist of the Year, and the song "Cover Me Up" was named Song of the Year.[31] NPR rock critic Ken Tucker listed Southeastern at No. 1 on his top ten albums of 2013. Isbell's record received praise by artists like Bruce Springsteen and John Prine.[32] Isbell's music video for the song "Traveling Alone" features the Jackson House, a historic home in Moulton, Alabama.[33] In 2014, his song "Cover Me Up" was used as the weather for the Welcome to Night Vale episode "Visitor".
Isbell's fifth solo record, Something More Than Free, was released on July 17, 2015, on Southeastern Records. Dave Cobb produced, continuing the partnership created with Isbell on Southeastern. They recorded the album at Nashville's Sound Emporium studio with a full band.[34] During the summer of 2015, Isbell was on a North American tour to promote the album, with four consecutive sold-out nights at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville at the end of October.[35][36] In April 2016, Isbell appeared on the BBC live-music show Later With Jools Holland, singing "The Life You Chose", one of the tracks from Something More Than Free.
Isbell said that compared to Southeastern, Something More Than Free has a feeling of celebration,[37][38] which reflects his upcoming fatherhood and a forward-facing momentum.[39] One track on the record, "To a Band I Loved", is a love-letter to the band Centro-Matic, a now defunct band from Denton, Texas, Isbell played with back in his Drive-By Truckers days.[37]
Something More Than Free debuted at number 1 on Billboard Magazine's rock, folk and country record charts.[10][40] Although Isbell had had critical success in the Americana genre, this was the first time he received such high ranking across genres.[41] The album was well received, winning two Grammy awards for Best Americana Album and Best American Roots Song ("24 Frames").[42][43] On May 11, 2016, Isbell, a four-time winner, was nominated for three more Americana Music Honors & Awards: Album of the Year (Something More Than Free), Song of the Year ("24 Frames"), and Artist of the Year.[44] He won the first two, while Chris Stapleton won Artist of the Year.
Emergence of The 400 Unit
Isbell's band, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, is primarily made up of musicians from the Muscle Shoals, Alabama, area.[17] The lineup is:
- Sadler Vaden, guitar, backup vocals - also of Drivin' N Cryin'
- Jimbo Hart, bass, backup vocals
- Derry DeBorja, keyboard, accordion, backup vocals - formerly of Son Volt
- Chad Gamble, drums, backup vocals - brother of Al Gamble
- Amanda Shires, fiddle, backup vocals
The band's name comes from the 400 Unit, a colloquial name for the psychiatric ward of Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, Alabama. It was originally called the 400 Unit because it was in a separate building from the main three-story hospital. After renovation in the 1980s, the ward was renamed as the Behavioral Health Center, also known as 1st North, and is located on the hospital's first floor.[45]
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit's eponymous album was released on February 17, 2009, on Lightning Rod Records. Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit was Isbell's second solo release and his first release with The 400 Unit. Matt Pence of Centro-Matic co-produced and engineered the record, as well as playing drums on the record.
Isbell and the 400 Unit released their second album, Here We Rest, on April 12, 2011, on Lightning Rod Records. The album was produced and recorded by the band. The song "Alabama Pines" was named Song of the Year at the 2012 Americana Music Awards.
On March 13, 2017, Isbell announced a new album with the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound. The album was released on June 16, 2017.[46] Isbell and the band won the Grammy Award for Best Americana Album and Isbell won Grammy Award for Best American Roots Song at the 60th ceremony.
In October 2017, Isbell was announced to be the official artist-in-residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.[47] He made a guest appearance on John Prine's 2018 album The Tree of Forgiveness.[48] Isbell contributed the ballad "Maybe It's Time" to the soundtrack of the 2018 film A Star Is Born, where it was performed by actor Bradley Cooper's character, Jackson Maine.[49]
On February 11, 2020, Isbell announced a new album, Reunions. It was released on May 15, 2020.[50] Reunions sees Isbell once again working with producer Dave Cobb and features guest vocals by Jay Buchanan of Rival Sons and David Crosby. The album announcement was made alongside the release of the first song of the album, "Be Afraid", which peaked at a career high number 5 on the Adult Alternative Songs chart. Also, second single, "Dreamsicle" peaked at number 20 on the same chart.[51]
On November 5, 2020, Isbell announced on Twitter that if Joe Biden won the state of Georgia in the 2020 United States presidential election, he would record a charity album featuring covers of songs by Georgia Artists, such as R.E.M. and Gladys Knight. After it was projected that Biden had won the state, he reaffirmed on Twitter that he was being serious and that he would begin work on the album shortly.[52]
Musical influences
Isbell has stated on the importance of his northern Alabama roots: "I definitely don't feel like I would be the musician that I am, or the type of songwriter, had I not come from that particular place," he says now. "The soul music that came out of there, and a lot of the soul-influenced rock and roll and country music that came out of the studios in north Alabama in the 1960s and 1970s had a big influence on me."[53] Isbell said that working at FAME Studios was everything to him, that it was a gateway towards the music that he wanted to play.[10] In addition to citing Neil Young as a big influence, Isbell is a fan of singer-songwriter Ben Howard and guitarist Blake Mills.[9]
Personal life
Isbell was previously married to Shonna Tucker, a fellow musician from the Muscle Shoals, Alabama community and a former bass player from Drive-By Truckers. Isbell and Tucker got married in 2002.[7]
Isbell married singer-songwriter and violinist Amanda Shires, with whom he had worked on and off for a decade, in February 2013, two days after they finished Southeastern.[54][55] Musician Todd Snider officiated their wedding.[2] The couple had a baby girl, Mercy Rose,[56] on September 1, 2015.[57][58]
In February 2012, Amanda Shires, Isbell's manager Traci Thomas and Ryan Adams initiated an intervention, leading to Isbell entering a rehabilitation treatment program at Cumberland Heights in Nashville.[7] Isbell has discussed getting sober extensively, saying he drank Jack Daniel's and did cocaine during his time with Drive-By Truckers in his late 20s—a time he does not remember very clearly.[59][60] Southeastern, Isbell's 2013 solo album, is reflective of his newfound sober lifestyle.[61]
Isbell has a tattoo on the inside of his left arm with a quotation from the lyrics of the Bob Dylan song "Boots of Spanish Leather".[54] He said that the quote reminds him about the idea of salvaging things, that for him it evokes the idea of loss as well as learning and growing from the experience.[10] During the 2015 Newport Folk Festival, Isbell cited Dylan as a huge influence on his writing.[62]
Isbell has lived in Nashville, Tennessee, since 2011.[21][63][64] He is an Atlanta Braves fan and a Democrat.[65][66] In November 2017, Isbell was asked on Twitter, "Why do we have to inject politics in every aspect of our life can't we just enjoy the music and the football games?" He responded, "Until you are the one being treated unfairly, that's easy to say."[67]
Cultural references
Jason Isbell is referenced in the song "Mr. Tillman" by Father John Misty on his 2018 album God's Favorite Customer.
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [68][69] |
US Indie [70][71] |
US Country [72][73] |
US Folk [74][75] |
US Rock [70][76] |
AUS [77] |
UK [78] | ||||
Sirens of the Ditch | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | |||
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit |
|
131 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
Here We Rest |
|
79 | 15 | — | — | 24 | — | — | ||
Southeastern |
|
23 | 5 | — | — | 7 | — | — |
| |
Something More Than Free |
|
6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 32 | 17 |
| |
The Nashville Sound |
|
4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 30 [81] |
26 |
| |
Reunions |
|
9 [83] |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 [84] |
18 | ||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart |
Live albums
Title | Album details | Peak positions | Sales | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [69] |
US Indie [70] |
US Vinyl [70] |
US Taste [70][85] | |||
Live at Twist & Shout 11.16.07 |
|
— | — | — | — | |
Live from Alabama |
|
— | 27 | — | 16 | |
Live from Welcome to 1979 (exclusive release for Record Store Day 2017) |
|
— | 10 | 5 | 8 | |
Live from the Ryman |
|
38 | — | — | — |
|
"—" denotes releases that did not chart |
Singles
Year | Title | Label |
---|---|---|
2015 | Sea Songs by Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires[86] "I Follow Rivers" and "Mutineer" |
Southeastern Records (digital only) |
Music videos
Year | Video | Director |
---|---|---|
2011 | "Alabama Pines" | |
2013 | "Traveling Alone" | James Weems |
2014 | "Super 8" | |
2015 | "24 Frames" | |
2017 | "If We Were Vampires" | Joshua Britt & Neilson Hubbard |
Producer credit
Year | Album | Artist | Label |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Burn. Flicker. Die. | American Aquarium | Last Chance Records |
2019 | Fever Breaks | Josh Ritter | Pytheas Recordings |
Awards and nominations
Americana Music Honors & Awards
The Americana Music Honors & Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in the genre of Americana. Isbell has won nine awards out of 16 nominations.
Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Album of the Year | Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit | Nominated |
2012 | Song of the Year | "Alabama Pines" | Won |
Album of the Year | Here We Rest | Nominated | |
Artist of the Year | Jason Isbell | Nominated | |
2014 | Song of the Year | "Cover Me Up" | Won |
Album of the Year | Southeastern | Won | |
Artist of the Year | Jason Isbell | Won | |
2015 | Nominated | ||
2016 | Album of the Year | Something More Than Free | Won |
Song of the Year | "24 Frames" | Won | |
Artist of the Year | Jason Isbell | Nominated | |
2017 | Nominated | ||
2018 | Nominated | ||
Album of the Year | The Nashville Sound | Won | |
Duo/Group of the Year | Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit | Won | |
Song of the Year | "If We Were Vampires" | Won |
Country Music Association Awards
The CMA Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in country music. Isbell has received one nomination.
Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Album of the Year | The Nashville Sound | Nominated |
Country Music Hall of Fame
Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Artist-in-Residence | N/A | Won |
Daytime Emmy Awards
The Daytime Emmy Awards are American accolades bestowed by the New York–based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming. Isbell has received one nomination.
Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program | "Cumberland Gap"/"If We Were Vampires" on CBS This Morning | Nominated |
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in music. Isbell has won 4 awards out of 4 nominations.
Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Best American Roots Song | "24 Frames" | Won |
Best Americana Album | Something More Than Free | Won | |
2018 | Best American Roots Song | "If We Were Vampires" | Won |
Best Americana Album | The Nashville Sound | Won |
UK Americana Awards
The UK Americana Awards celebrate the best roots music released in the UK and internationally. Isbell has received two nominations.[87]
Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | International Album of the Year | The Nashville Sound | Won |
2016 | International Artist of the Year | Jason Isbell | Won |
Home media
- Weissman, Barr, Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley, Shonna Tucker, Brad Morgan, John Neff, and Jason Isbell. The Secret to a Happy Ending: A Documentary About the Drive-By Truckers. New York: ATO Records, 2011. (DVD of 2009 documentary)
Notes and references
- "Songwriter/Composer: Isbell Michael Jason". BMI. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- Maron, Marc (26 March 2014). "Episode 482 - Jason Isbell" (podcast). WTF with Marc Maron. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- Monger, James Christopher. "Jason Isbell - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- Welch, Will (7 January 2016). "Meet Three Country Badasses Who Are Shaking Up the Nashville Establishment". GQ. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
- Welch, Will (7 January 2016). "The GQ&A: Jason Isbell, the New King of Americana Music". GQ. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
- "Jason Isbell". Spin It Loud. 2009. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- Garner, Dwight (31 May 2013). "Jason Isbell, Unloaded". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- "Carthel E. Isbell". Florence Times Daily. 19 September 2002.
- Bialas, Michael (10 August 2015). "During the Long, Hot Summer, Jason Isbell Warms Up to Become One Glad Dad". Huffington Post. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- Mason, Anthony (9 August 2015). "The fall and rise of Jason Isbell". CBS News. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- Mason, Anthony (8 August 2015). "Jason Isbell on his musical education (web extra)". CBS News. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- Booth, Jared (May 11, 2011). "Jason Isbell talks writing, war, and family life". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- Dodds, M.S. (28 June 2007). "Jason Isbell interview". Illinois Entertainer. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- Gage, Jeff (9 June 2017). "Jason Isbell: 5 Things We Learned From New Interview". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
- Sullivan, James (1 August 2013). "Jason Isbell: 'There's Still Just as Much Awe' in Sobriety". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- DeYoung, Bill (19 March 2014). "SMF review: Jason Isbell". Connect Savannah. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- Helton, Eric (18 March 2011). "SXSW Interview: Jason Isbell" (video interview). Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- https://famestudios.com/jason-isbell/
- Schmergel, Daniel Patrick (24 April 2006). "An Artist Revealed: Interview with Jason Isbell". Lost Writers. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- Maron, Marc (28 March 2014). "Episode 483 - Patterson Hood" (podcast). WTF Podcast. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- Leahey, Andrew (17 September 2013). "Jason Isbell Keeps on Truckin'". American Songwriter. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- "Live From Lincoln Center - Jason Isbell: Moving Forward". PBS. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
- Weissman, Barr (2011). "The Secret to a Happy Ending" (DVD release of the 2009 motion picture). The Secret to a Happy Ending: A Documentary About the Drive-By Truckers. Full House Films / ATO Records. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- Mitter, Siddhartha (15 July 2007). "He'll keep on trucking, but solo". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- Hyden, Steven (4 March 2014). "Drive-By Truckers Carry On". Grantland. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- Ells, Blake (2014-06-19). "Hood – Isbell – Cooley reunite at the Shoals Theater". Country Fried Rock. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
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- Baker, Jeff (9 August 2015). "Jason Isbell plays Drive-By Truckers songs with Patterson Hood at amazing Portland concert". The Oregonian. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- "Southeastern by Jason Isbell". Metacritic. Retrieved 2016-05-10.
- Parton, Chris (19 August 2013). "Jason Isbell Leaves a Mark at Ryman". CMT. Country Music Television, Inc. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- Ann Powers (18 November 2014). "Jason Isbell, Live at the 2014 Americana Music Awards". NPR. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
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- Qualls, Meredith (24 August 2013). "Isbell's music video filmed in Moulton". TimesDaily. Florence, AL. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- McKenna, Brittney (16 April 2015). "Jason Isbell Announces New Album 'Something More Than Free'". American Songwriter. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
- Wolff, Kurt (16 April 2015). "Jason Isbell's New Album 'Something More Than Free' Coming in July". Radio.com. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
- "Jason Isbell Summer Tour Dates Announced". Grateful Web. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
- Leahey, Andrew (26 March 2015). "In the Studio With Jason Isbell Making 'Celebratory' New Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- McGregor, Nick (6 May 2015). "Jason Isbell's Workmanlike Genius". FOLIO Weekly. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- Wildsmith, Steve (6 May 2015). "Freedom Songs: Singer-songwriter Jason Isbell builds a better album than 'Southeastern'". The Daily Times (Maryville, TN). Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- Kellmurray, Beth (27 July 2015). "Jason Isbell Celebrates the Chart Success of 'Something More Than Free'". Diffuser.fm. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- Hight, Jewly (5 August 2015). "Country Star (and Expectant Dad) Jason Isbell 'Glad to Have My Baby on the Brain'". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- Mazor, Barry (4 August 2015). "'Something More Than Free' by Jason Isbell Review". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- "2016 Grammy Awards: Complete list of winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. 15 February 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- "Americana Honors & Awards Nominees Announced". AmericanaMusic.org. 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
- "Jason Isbell - Current Artists". FAME Music Group. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- "Jason Isbell on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
- "Jason Isbell to perform at Country Music Hall of Fame as Artist-in-Residence". Tennessean.com.
- "John Prine To Release His First Album Of New Songs In 13 Years". Npr.org. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
- "Soundtrack for A Star is Born, Starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, Announced".
- Sodomsky, Sam. "Jason Isbell Announces New Album Reunions, Share New Song "Be Afraid": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- Hudak, Joseph. "Jason Isbell Previews New Album 'Reunions' With Urgent Anthem 'Be Afraid'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- {{title=Jason Isbell Says He’ll Record a Georgia Covers Album If Biden Wins the State|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/jason-isbell-georgia-album-joe-biden-1086810/
- Bailey, Rachel (28 November 2012). "Jason Isbell: That New Southern Style". Flagpole Magazine. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- Lacher, Irene (7 September 2013). "The Sunday Conversation: A sobering change for singer Jason Isbell". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- Kerns, William (25 July 2012). "Happily engaged Shires makes return appearance in hometown". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- "Amanda Shires Isbell on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
- Spevak, Jeff (19 May 2015). "Jason Isbell: The craft of sadness at Water Street". Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- Isbell, Jason (1 September 2015). "jasonisbell on Istagram: "Today"". Instagram. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
- Gross, Terry (17 July 2013). "Jason Isbell Locates His Musical Compass On 'Southeastern'". Fresh Air. NPR. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- Bialas, Michael (3 May 2013). "Hangout and About, Part 1: Jason Isbell is Solo, But Not Alone". Huffington Post. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- Block, Melissa (10 June 2013). "Jason Isbell: A 'Southeastern' Songwriter's Path To Sobriety" (Audio interview). All Things Considered. NPR. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- "Watch: Jason Isbell Plays Bob Dylan's Guitar from the 1965 Newport Folk Festival". Relix. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- Portman, Jed (7 December 2012). "Down South: Southern Rock Star Jason Isbell on Cracker Barrel, Cornbread Poetry, and More". Serious Eats. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- Shelburne, Craig (25 July 2012). "Jason Isbell Finds Americana in "Alabama Pines"". CMT. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- O'Brien, David (15 December 2011). "For Jason Isbell, Braves fandom runs in family". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on 5 January 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- "Jason Isbell : 'I have a hard time accepting Taylor Swift as a sexy adult'". 2015-07-17. Retrieved 2016-09-06.
- Victor, Daniel (2017-11-03). "Country Music Association Tells Journalists Not to Talk About Guns, Politics or Las Vegas". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-11-04.
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- "australian-charts.com – Discography Jason Isbell". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
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- "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015.
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- Bjorke, Matt (December 4, 2018). "The Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: December 4, 2018". Roughstock. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- Caulfield, Keith (May 24, 2020). "Future Flies 'High' With Seventh No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
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- "Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires Release 'Sea Songs'". Guitar World. 2015-02-20. Retrieved 2017-06-23.
- "Robert Plant to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at UK Americana Awards 2018 - Entertainment Focus". Entertainment-focus.com.