Jamey Johnson signs deal, releases video

Johnson's debut single with Mercury Records, "In Color," was released along with a video, out Tuesday. The latter is a sentimental conversation with his grandfather as he shares the stories behind memorable black and white photographs. The music video, directed by Shaun Silva, features Johnson in a simplistic setting with more than 1,000 photographs laid at his feet which transition from black and white to color images. Many of the pictures are of Johnson's family, including one of his grandparents on their wedding day.

Johnson is an Alabama native, who served eight years as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves before heading to Nashvill. He released "The Dollar" in January 2006 with some airplay for the title track. He then split with BNA and put out his own album, "That Lonesome Song," last year.

Johnson co-wrote George Strait's "Give It Away," the ACM and CMA Song of the Year in 2007. He also wrote hits recorded by Trace Adkins and Joe Nichols. He co-wrote 11 of the 13 tracks on his Mercury debut due out in late summer.