Jason Isbell is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter. He gained initial recognition as a member of the Drive-By Truckers from 2001 to 2007. He's achieved significant success with his solo career and through collaborations with his band, The 400 Unit. Known for his introspective lyrics and blend of rock, country, and folk influences, Isbell has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, winning six Grammy Awards. His work often explores themes of addiction, recovery, relationships, and Southern identity.
On February 1, 1979, Michael Jason Isbell was born. He would later become a singer-songwriter known for his solo career and work with The 400 Unit and Drive-By Truckers.
In 2001, Jason Isbell joined the band Drive-By Truckers, marking the beginning of his six-year tenure with the group.
In 2002, Jason Isbell married Shonna Tucker, a fellow musician from Muscle Shoals and former bass player for Drive-By Truckers.
In 2003, Jason Isbell recorded and contributed songs to the Drive-By Truckers' album Decoration Day.
In 2004, Jason Isbell recorded and contributed songs to the Drive-By Truckers' album The Dirty South.
In 2006, Jason Isbell recorded and contributed songs to the Drive-By Truckers' album A Blessing and a Curse.
On April 5, 2007, Jason Isbell announced that he was no longer a member of the Drive-By Truckers.
On July 10, 2007, Jason Isbell released his first solo album, "Sirens of the Ditch".
In 2007, Jason Isbell and Shonna Tucker divorced.
In 2007, Jason Isbell left the Drive-By Truckers after being with the band for six years to pursue his solo career.
On February 17, 2009, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's eponymous album was released on Lightning Rod Records, marking Isbell's second solo release and first with The 400 Unit.
On April 12, 2011, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit released their self-recorded and produced second album, Here We Rest, on Lightning Rod Records.
In 2011, Jason Isbell moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he has remained since.
In February 2012, Jason Isbell underwent an intervention initiated by Amanda Shires, Traci Thomas, and Ryan Adams, leading him to enter a rehabilitation treatment program in Nashville.
In 2012, Jason Isbell discussed the importance of his northern Alabama roots and their influence on his music.
In 2012, Jason Isbell supported singer-songwriter Ryan Adams on his tour, with both artists playing solo acoustic sets.
In 2012, the song "Alabama Pines" by Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit was named Song of the Year at the Americana Music Awards.
In February 2013, Jason Isbell married singer-songwriter and violinist Amanda Shires in Nashville.
On June 11, 2013, Jason Isbell released his fourth solo album, Southeastern, which received overwhelmingly positive critical reviews.
In 2013, Jason Isbell's solo album Southeastern reflected his newfound sober lifestyle, marking a significant turning point in his life.
On June 15, 2014, Jason Isbell teamed up with Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley for a benefit concert in Florence, Alabama, marking the first time Isbell performed with his former bandmates since their split in 2007.
In 2014, Jason Isbell's album Southeastern led to a clean sweep at the Americana Music Awards, winning Album of the Year, with Isbell named Artist of the Year, and the song "Cover Me Up" named Song of the Year.
In 2014, during a "Live from Lincoln Center" concert, Jason Isbell revealed that the title track of Decoration Day was a true story about his family members.
On July 17, 2015, Jason Isbell released his fifth solo record, Something More Than Free, on Southeastern Records.
During the 2015 Newport Folk Festival, Jason Isbell cited Bob Dylan as a huge influence on his writing.
In April 2016, Jason Isbell appeared on the BBC live-music show Later With Jools Holland, where he performed "The Life You Chose" from his album Something More Than Free.
On May 11, 2016, Jason Isbell received three nominations for the Americana Music Honors & Awards for Album of the Year (Something More Than Free), Song of the Year ("24 Frames"), and Artist of the Year and won the first two.
In 2016, Jason Isbell had his first acting role as pastor Kyle Nubbins in the animated TV series Squidbillies.
On March 13, 2017, Jason Isbell announced a new album with the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound, which was later released in June of that year.
In October 2017, Jason Isbell was announced as the official artist-in-residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
In 2018, Jason Isbell made a guest appearance on John Prine's album The Tree of Forgiveness and contributed the ballad "Maybe It's Time" to the soundtrack of the film A Star Is Born.
In 2019, Jason Isbell expressed his support for gun control on Twitter following the Dayton shooting, sparking a debate that led to the viral "30-50 feral hogs" meme.
In 2019, Jason Isbell made a cameo appearance as a guitar-playing wedding guest in the HBO film Deadwood: The Movie.
In February 2020, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit announced their album "Reunions", which was released in May of that year.
On November 5, 2020, Jason Isbell announced his intention to record a charity album of Georgia artists' covers if Joe Biden won the state in the 2020 United States presidential election.
In 2020, Jason Isbell's friend, Justin Townes Earle, passed away from a fentanyl overdose.
On April 6, 2021, it was announced that Jason Isbell was cast in Martin Scorsese's film Killers of the Flower Moon.
On September 14, 2021, Jason Isbell formally announced his album, "Georgia Blue", with a digital release date of October 15 and CD/vinyl release on November 26.
In September 2021, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit covered Metallica's "Sad but True" for the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist.
In 2021, Jason Isbell was featured in an episode of Billions, playing himself viewing an art exhibit.
In 2022, Jason Isbell's album Southeastern was certified Gold by RIAA.
In June 2023, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit released the album, Weathervanes, on Isbell's own Southeastern Records label.
In September 2023, Jason Isbell was awarded his bachelor's degree in English from the University of Memphis after prior discussions and recognition of his career experience.
In December 2023, Jason Isbell filed for divorce from Amanda Shires.
As of 2023, Jason Isbell's band, the 400 Unit, was primarily made up of musicians from the Muscle Shoals, Alabama, area.
In 2023, Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires both performed in a tribute concert to Justin Townes Earle after his death from a fentanyl overdose in 2020.
In 2023, Jason Isbell appeared as Bill Smith in Martin Scorsese's film Killers of the Flower Moon.
On February 8, 2024, news was released that Jason Isbell had filed for divorce from Amanda Shires in December 2023.
In February 2024, Jason Isbell won two Grammys for Best Americana Song: "Cast Iron Skillet" and Best Americana Album: Weathervanes.
On August 19, 2024, Jason Isbell performed at the Democratic National Convention.