Johnny Lee’s breakthrough hit, “Lookin’ for Love” helped usher in a historic era in country music – and four decades later, Johnny Lee remains one of the genre’s most beloved entertainers. Possessing enviable comedic skills and a voice as warm and strong as sunshine on the Texas asphalt, Lee has enjoyed a successful career, but he isn’t ready to call it quits yet. The proof is in his new album Everything’s Gonna Be Alright. The 14-song collection looks poised to be a landmark album in an already impressive career, spotlighting not only Lee’s signature vocals but also his talent as a songwriter. The Texas native wrote or co-wrote the bulk of the project.
“I’m more proud of this album because I wrote most of the songs on there,” Lee says. “I’m proud of the rest of my stuff too, but I’m really proud of this one because I’m the creator.” Everything’s Gonna Be Alright is the quintessential Johnny Lee album – with a diverse collection of songs ranging from the positive message of the title track and first single to the wistful romance of the tender love song “Annie” to the up-tempo romp “Sawin’ on the Fiddle” – which he wrote to pitch to the late Charlie Daniels. Among the originals, the Texas Country Music Hall of Famer also puts his indelible stamp on such classics as the Leon Russell-penned “A Song for You” and “Statue of a Fool,” an iconic hit made famous by the late Jack Greene. Lee recruited his longtime pal Willie Nelson to play his legendary guitar Trigger on “Did You Enjoy Hurting Me?” The album closes with the bonus track “Father’s Daughter.” Written and sung by his daughter, Cherish Lee, the song is a poignant tribute to Lee as a father and an artist.
Lee began performing on the Lone Star state’s competitive nightclub circuit, and began working with Mickey Gilley in 1968. He performed with Gilley on tour and at Gilley’s legendary club in Pasadena, Texas. The 1980 film Urban Cowboy, starring John Travolta and Debra Winger, was set predominantly at Gilley’s and Lee performed three songs on the multi-platinum selling soundtrack — “Rode Hard and Put Up Wet,” “Cherokee Fiddle” and “Lookin’ for Love,” which topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for three weeks and became a crossover hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard all genre Hot 100. Urban Cowboy became a phenomenon and country music’s popularity hit an all-time high. “I figured it was going to catapult my career or set me back 10 years,” Lee says with a grin. “I had no idea it was going to be as big as it was. All I know is that it’s got staying power. It’s still played all the time.” Lee continued to score such hits as “One in a Million,” “Bet Your Heart on Me,” “You Could Have Heard a Heartbreak,” “Be There For Me Baby,” “Sounds Like Love,” “Pickin’ Up Strangers” and others. Over the years, Lee’s discography has grown to include two dozen albums. Everything’s Gonna Be Alright is Lee’s first album release since 2016’s You Ain’t Never Been to Texas.
“The last few years have had some major ups and downs in not only my life but in the whole world,” Lee acknowledges. “Music brings us together and gives us peace of mind like nothing else. Throughout my entire career, I have worked hard to record the best music possible and while creating this album, that was the entire goal. This is a hard world we are living in, but I want everyone to know that ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.’” The closing song on the album, “Father’s Daughter,” is a loving tribute to Lee written and sung by his daughter Cherish. He could rest on his considerable laurels, but being an entertainer isn’t something he can walk away from. “That’s who I am,” he says. “That’s what I do. That’s what I’m all about.”
Tickets:
First 4 rows (A-D)……..…..$49
Remaining floor (E-M)……$39
Standard balcony……………$29
Balcony box seats……………$78 (box tickets includes concessions)
