It's no secret that Naomi Johnson is in her reinvention era, and it's nothing short of breathtaking. Her voice tends to cut through the noise with clarity – delivering stories that are charged with raw, unfiltered emotion. And her latest single (May 9), "Mama Ain't Jesus," is precisely that. 

The country ballad, co-written with Brad Clawson and Brandon Day, isn't just another chapter in her story, it's the continuation of a new book. It touches upon maternal resilience, unshakable love, and imperfect devotion. "Mama Ain't Jesus" is Johnson at her most honest and fearless. 

"I wanted to leave behind something real," Johnson exclusively told Fandom Daily, reflecting on the near-death experience she endured during childbirth. She said welcoming her daughter was a turning point and changed her perspective on life. "If that was it for me, what would my daughter know of me? What would she hear? Who would she think I was?" 

Her answer? A track that explores motherhood, wrapped in Appalachian soundscapes, native drums, acoustic guitar pulls and truths too often left unsaid. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Naomi Johnson (@naomijohnson)

"Mama Ain't Jesus" is a heartfelt confession from a mother to her child about her flaws, deep love, and fierce protectiveness. The razor-sharp lyrics cut deep, but she doesn't preach. Instead, she shares the wisdom she gained from learning the hard way, wanting her child to learn from her missteps.

She reassures her child that she prays for them every night and even admits that she's not perfect – she cusses, smokes, and has made mistakes. The repeated line, "Mama ain't Jesus," is a powerful reminder that while she strives to do her best, she can't be perfect. However, she'll always have her child's back, no matter what. 

While the birth of her daughter served as the main inspiration behind the track, Johnson revealed that her unconventional upbringing and the influence of her parents deeply shaped the songwriting process. As the fifth of 10 children – she was raised on a school bus, sleeping on plywood bunks as her family traveled from Virginia to Arizona and eventually back to Tennessee. They had no proper toilet, air conditioning, or heat. And Along the way, they became entangled in a cult. After her parents separated, her father vanished. Johnson and her older siblings stepped up to raise the younger ones – taking on maternal responsibilities far earlier than most. 

Sharing this story was far from easy for Johnson, and the thought of how fans might react brought a wave of nerves. However, she quickly realized that her fandom would connect with her authenticity above all.  

"I was scared people wouldn't relate," she admits. "My upbringing was so unusual. But I realized that people don't need to have grown up with 10 siblings in a bus to understand love, pain, and sacrifice." 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Naomi Johnson (@naomijohnson)

With tracks "Mama Ain't Jesus" and "Bricks Make Houses," fans are getting an early glimpse into Johnson's forthcoming debut solo project. Teaming up with producer Josh Kelley, she's crafting a body of work that reveals a fresh, more personal side of her artistry. While many recognize Johnson as a founding member of Runaway June, her departure from the trio in 2020 marked the beginning of a bold creative chapter. 

In the years leading up to this record, her life shifted drastically. She lost her father, became a mother, and filed a restraining order against her own mother, who struggles with mental illness. Initially, she was building a high-energy album that leaned Shania Twain meets Bon Jovi. But when life intervened, her sound and approach changed. 

"The fear I had about writing these songs disappeared. I had to tell the truth. There were years I just wasn't ready. I didn't understand it all yet," she said in confidence. "I didn't have the emotional stamina. But now, I've got the songwriting chops and the life experience to do it right. I shifted. I leaned into the quieter, deeper parts of myself." 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Naomi Johnson (@naomijohnson)

If you listen closely, you will hear a sonic blend of Sheryl Crow's intimacy and Bruce Springsteen's storytelling. However, what sets her apart from other artists in the industry is her subtle nods to her Cherokee heritage intertwined in every melody. 

"You'll hear it in the drums, chants, and atmosphere. It's not in your face, but it's there. And it matters," she says, beaming. Born in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, her roots trace nine generations deep into West Tennessee. She's weaving those cultural threads into her music for the first time. "My daughter is blonde-haired, blue-eyed. You'd never know she's Cherokee. But I want her to know. I want me to know." 

Before making any artistic decision, she always considers her daughter, her fans, and whether she's staying true to herself. 

"People are hungry for the truth. I know because I am, too," she stresses. "I've learned to stop hiding behind the production and let my voice tell the story. This new chapter is about owning who I am – flaws, past, and all."

While some artists play it safe, she leans in, and her fans are leaning in with her. Although Johnson is keeping the release date tight-lipped, her listeners are itching with anticipation. The fandom she's built has become a safe space. A place where growth is celebrated, vulnerability is strength, and reinvention isn't questioned, it's fully embraced.

Photo Credit: Martin Johnson