Jamey Johnson Talks About Constantly Being Mistaken for Chris Stapleton
Country singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson has been a staple in the country music world for over two decades, known for hits like “The Dollar” and songwriting credits for legends such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Trace Adkins. Despite his long career and unmistakable talent, Jamey admits that fans — and even airport staff — often confuse him with another country superstar: Chris Stapleton.
A Familiar Case of Mistaken Identity
During an appearance on the Rolling Stone podcast Nashville Now, Johnson revealed that the mix-ups have been happening for years.
“People have confused me with Chris Stapleton for as long as I can remember,” he shared.
It’s not hard to see why — both artists sport long hair, full beards, and share a rugged, soulful country sound that’s become iconic in the genre.
The Airport Mix-Up That Still Makes Him Laugh
Johnson recounted one especially funny incident that took place at John Tune Airport in Tennessee after one of his shows.
“Back before the color left my hair, I flew into John Tune airport one night after a show, and I asked them to bring my car around,” he said.
When the valet returned with his keys, Johnson noticed something strange — the tag didn’t have his name on it.
“They handed me the keys, and the tag said ‘Stapleton,’” he recalled with a laugh.
It turned out that Chris Stapleton had also flown into the same airport that night, and the staff had mistaken Jamey for him. Rather than being annoyed, Jamey snapped a photo of the key and texted it to Chris as a joke.
It Happens Both Ways
The confusion isn’t one-sided, either. According to Jamey, Chris gets mistaken for him just as often.
“So Jamey Johnson gets Chris Stapleton and Chris Stapleton gets Jamey Johnson,” he said. “Well, everything but the checks. Those seem to go to the correct place.”
Two Artists, One Legendary Look
While they may share a similar aesthetic — long hair, thick beards, and outlaw-country charisma — both Johnson and Stapleton have carved out distinct places in the genre.
Still, as Jamey’s story shows, even in Nashville, there’s always room for a little friendly mix-up between two country greats.