Tyler Booth Teams Up With Jamey Johnson For “Clean Dirt”
Kentucky singer-songwriter Tyler Booth unveils “Clean Dirt,” his new song featuring Jamey Johnson, marking Booth’s debut song with his joint venture with Average Joes Entertainment and Johnson’s Big Gassed Records. Listen to Booth and Johnson’s “Clean Dirt” here.
Booth wrote “Clean Dirt” with Phil O’Donnell – whose songs have been recorded by artists including George Strait, Blake Shelton and Montgomery Gentry – and Brian Davis whose songs have been cut by Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Jason Aldean. O’Donnell also produced the track.
“Phil and Brian had that title forever and had started writing it,” Booth says. “They had the hook: ‘three boards, two nails and one man to clean dirt.’ We wrote it that day.”
“Clean Dirt” is about the unwavering strength of God’s love and forgiveness, no matter how many times we lose our way and find ourselves at a crossroads feeling unworthy of love. Just one of several deeply visceral and spiritual songs he has recently recorded for his upcoming full-length project.
“Everybody has their trials and tribulations and has to go through life dealing with struggles,” Booth comments. “Everybody has it. It doesn’t matter how much or little money you have. There is always room for redemption.”
The lyrics include:
I read the good book when I can
But don’t make it every Sunday
I slip and fall more than now and then
Taking’ the straight and narrow sideways
Lord knows the dirt ground in my soul
Is enough for me to burn
But thank God, three nails, two boards and one man, clean dirt
The Erv Woolsey Co.’s Allen Mitchell, Booth’s manager, played the song for Johnson, who loved it and offered to join Booth on the song.
“We live in a day and age where people are starting to be a little more vocal about their religious views, so I like the way he’s unashamed, and in fact, it might be unapologetic,” Johnson says. “He is just putting it out there: this is who I am. It’s also a part of his story and my story. I wish I had written the song with him.
“It’s about redemption and God’s grace,” Johnson says. “It points out that it isn’t what we do – you can’t be good enough. Romans tells us we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, so it’s not something we do to earn salvation. It’s something Jesus Christ has already done and all we have to do is accept it. It’s a wonderful message that Tyler has woven into this song.”
“Clean Dirt” is the first release on Booth’s joint venture with Average Joes Entertainment and Johnson’s Big Gassed Records, with more music to come.
