Jason Isbell

Michael Jason Isbell (born February 1, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and actor.

He is known for his solo career, his work with the band The 400 Unit, and as a member of Drive-By Truckers for six years, from 2001 to 2007.

Isbell has won six Grammy Awards.

Outside of music, Isbell has appeared in roles in the television series Squidbillies and Billions, as well as the films Deadwood: The Movie and Killers of the Flower Moon.

His most recent album with his band The 400 Unit, Weathervanes, was released in June 2023.

Isbell was born in Green Hill, Alabama, two miles (2 mi) from the Alabama/Tennessee state line, the son of interior designer Angela Hill Barnett and house painter Mike Isbell.

Isbell's mother was only 17 years old (and his father 19 years old) when he was born and is the subject of a song, "Children of Children".

Isbell's parents divorced, and he has two much younger half-siblings.

Isbell grew up in North Alabama.

His grandparents lived on a farm down the road next to the school that Isbell attended; they looked after him while his parents were at work.

His grandfather and uncle taught him to play various instruments, including the mandolin when he was six years old, as it was easier for him to grip as a small child.

They enjoyed gospel music, bluegrass music, and the Grand Ole Opry.

In high school, he played trumpet and French horn.

Isbell's family would get together and play music every week, sometimes twice a week.

Isbell's paternal grandfather, who came from a musical family, was a Pentecostal preacher and played guitar in church.

Isbell spent his childhood attending both the Pentecostal church and the stricter Church of Christ, which permitted only singing without musical instruments.

Isbell started playing in a garage band and a country cover band when he was 14 or 15 years old with his friend, songwriter Chris Tompkins.

They played at the Grand Ole Opry when Isbell was 16.

Isbell attended the University of Memphis, studying English and creative writing.

He dropped out, being short one credit, to go on tour.

In September 2023, after discussions with the University of Memphis about his career experience, he was awarded his bachelor's degree in English.

When Isbell was a teenager, many musicians took him under their wing.

He got to know session bassist David Hood, father of Drive-By Truckers co-founder Patterson Hood, because David Hood was in the Florence, Alabama area and played around town on Friday and Saturday nights in local restaurants and bars.

By this time, Patterson Hood and his future Drive-By Truckers co-founder, Mike Cooley, were older and had moved out of town.

Isbell would go watch David Hood and others perform.

It took a while, but once he finally got up the nerve to tell them he played, they would have him sit in with them, which resulted in friendship and mentorship.

Isbell submitted demos and eventually got a publishing deal with FAME Studios of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, when he was 21.

He worked with FAME for 15 years, through his solo album Southeastern.

Isbell also recorded pieces of his solo albums at FAME Studios, as well as the Drive-By Truckers' The Dirty South.

In 2001, at age 22, Isbell joined the Drive-By Truckers while they toured in support of their album Southern Rock Opera.

The band operates out of Athens, Georgia, where Isbell lived while with the band.

Co-founder Patterson Hood recalls that he met Isbell through Dick Cooper, a mutual friend from Muscle Shoals.

Hood invited Isbell to join the Drive-By Truckers after he sat in with the group at an acoustic house party when guitarist Rob Malone did not show up.

Isbell recorded and contributed many songs to the Drive-By Truckers for their next three albums, 2003's Decoration Day, 2004's The Dirty South, and 2006's A Blessing and a Curse. The title track of Decoration Day was revealed by Isbell in the 2014 Live from Lincoln Center concert to be a true story about his family members.

For most of his time as a band member, Isbell was married to Shonna Tucker, who joined the band after Isbell as bassist.

The two were part of the band's documentary, The Secret to a Happy Ending.

The two later divorced.

On April 5, 2007, Isbell announced that he was no longer a member of the Drive-By Truckers.

The following day, Patterson Hood confirmed the break on the band's official site.

In his letter to the fans, Hood described the parting of ways as "amicable" and expressed the hope that fans would continue to support the Drive-By Truckers as well as Isbell's solo efforts.