Cody Johnson

Biography

Cody Daniel Johnson (born May 21, 1987) is an American country music singer. He has self-released six albums, including Gotta Be Me×Gotta Be Me5 August 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks1Gotta Be Me3:372Grass Stains3:103With You I Am3:414Half a Song3:325The Only One I Know (Cowboy Life)3:596Walk Away4:297Kiss Goodbye3:218Chain Drinkin’3:109Wild as You3:0610I Know My Way Back (Clara’s Song)3:2611Billy’s Brother3:0312Every Scar Has a Story3:2813I Ain’t Going Nowhere Baby4:3714I Can’t Even Walk (Without You Holding My Hand)3:52, which debuted at number two on Billboard's Country Albums chart, before releasing his first major-label album, Ain't Nothin' to It, in January 2019. He released his second major-label album, Human: The Double Album×Human: The Double Album8 October 2021 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Human3:412Honky Tonk Hardwood Floors3:193Sad Songs and Waltzes3:324’Til You Can’t3:445God Bless the Boy (Cori’s Song)3:266Known for Loving You2:467Driveway2:478Son of a Ramblin’ Man3:129I Always Wanted To5:0110I Don’t Know a Thing About Love3:4211Longer Than She Did3:1912Made a Home3:2513Let’s Build a Fire2:5614When It Comes to You3:3615Treasure3:1416Stronger3:1417Cowboy Scale of 1 to 102:5518By Your Grace3:58, in October 2021. His style is classified as contemporary country and neotraditional country, drawing influences from artists like George Strait and Willie Nelson. His song "'Til You Can't" won two awards at the Country Music Association Awards in 2022. His album Leather×Leather3 November 2023 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 25 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Work Boots2:492Double Down3:093Watching My Old Flame3:264That's Texas2:435Dirt Cheap3:596Jesus Loves You4:517Whiskey Bent3:168Leather3:149People in the Back2:3910Long Live Country Music3:2411The Painter3:3112Make Me a Mop3:16Disc 21Overdue2:452The Fall3:183How Do You Sleep at Night?3:144Country Boy Singin’ the Blues3:525Georgia Peaches3:536Damn Good Life3:167C'mon Cowgirl3:188I Wished It Was You4:049Take It Like a Man2:4810I'm Gonna Love You3:0811Made in the USA3:4812Over Missin' You3:2913The Mustang4:56 won the CMA Album of the Year on November 20, 2024. He toured Australia in 2023 and 2025, with many shows selling out.

Early life

Cody Daniel Johnson, also known as "CoJo," was born and raised in Sebastopol, northeast of Huntsville, Texas, to Sheila and Carl Johnson. He began playing music at the age of 12 and learned to play from his father, who performed with their local church. He first taught Johnson the popular gospel song "I'll Fly Away."
Johnson learned to sing and play several instruments, such as guitar and drums, and studied how to read musical notation. He performed at schools, churches, and bars, where he discovered that people enjoyed his music. At the same time, he rode bulls professionally at local rodeos and worked alongside his father in the local prison system. At 19, the prison's warden convinced him to commit full time to his music career.

2006–2014: Career beginnings

Johnson's agriculture science teacher heard him play an original song and encouraged him to start a band with other Future Farmers of America (FFA) members. In 2006, Johnson formed the Cody Johnson Band with his father, Carl, and drummer Nathan Reedy. Just a few months later, the newly formed band won second place in a major Texas state talent contest. Together they recorded and released an album, Black and White Label×Black and White Label3 May 2011 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Down By The River2:242You Thought I'd Never Be3:533Talk To Me Right3:404Picture Of A Man3:415Another Double2:466Jesse's Name4:357Black & White3:258Underneath This Hat2:509There's You3:3310Texas Rain2:4411The Fiddle's Gone3:1112She's My Woman3:2813Its Amazing (Bonus Track)11:17 on January 6, 2006 through his own CoJo label that paid for travel and radio ads. In 2006, the band added Matt Rogers on lead guitar and recorded a live album, Live and Rocking in 2007, at Shenanigans and Confetti's Club in Huntsville. After the release of the album, Johnson's father quit the band.
By 2009, Danny Salinas joined the band on bass guitar. Their first professionally produced album, Six Strings One Dream×Six Strings One Dream1 September 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Another Try3:502Pretend3:543I'm Not Responsible3:444No Tears In My Eyes4:005Pray For Rain4:256Finally Free3:197Nobody To Blame3:128Seeing The Light4:259Slam The Door3:4010Texas Kind Of Way4:09, was released on September 1, 2009, and three singles from the album reached the top 10 of the Texas music charts, including "Texas Kind of Way." After the album's release, the band added Chris Whitten on fiddle and Jeff Smith on lead guitar. Jody Bartula replaced Whitten on fiddle in 2010. Johnson's third album, A Different Day×A Different Day31 October 2011 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks118 Wheels3:002Guilty As Can Be4:033Diamond in My Pocket3:174Keep Her Man3:185A Different Day4:106Ride With Me3:367The Way She Loves Me3:298What’s Left of Texas?4:339Get Back Home to You3:4910Ocean of Whiskey3:4411I Don’t Care About You3:5812Jesus Ain’t Watching3:3913The Grandpa Song (acoustic)5:52, produced by Trent Willmon, was released on October 31, 2011. Johnson won the 2011 Texas Regional Music Award for New Male Vocalist of the Year. Then he left his day job with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to focus on music full-time. He teamed with Kyle Park in 2012 for the Dancin' and Drinkin' at Johnson Park Tour. Also in 2012, Johnson's band, now composed of Reedy, Smith, Bartula, and bassist Joey Pruski changed their name to the Rockin' CJB.

2014–2021: Breakthrough and major-label deal

Johnson's fifth album, Cowboy Like Me×Cowboy Like Me14 January 2014 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Dance Her Home2:562Me and My Kind2:363Lucky3:074Proud3:265Baby's Blue3:476Bottle It Up4:317Cowboy Like Me3:568Hurtin'3:599(I Wouldn't Go There) If I Were You3:4510Holes3:4111Give a Cowboy a Kiss5:0512Never Go Home Again4:1213In the Garden (Bonus Acoustic Track)4:36, was released on January 14, 2014. It was his second album to be produced by Trent Willmon. Selling 8,000 copies in its first week of release, it debuted at number 7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 33 on the Billboard 200. The deep cut "Me and My Kind" later went viral on TikTok in 2020, becoming a concert staple and one of his most popular songs. Johnson was a featured artist on the docu-reality television show Troubadour, TX, boosting his TV exposure. As of 2014, Johnson's band comprised Smith, Bartula, Pruski, and drummer Miles Stone. His sixth album, Gotta Be Me×Gotta Be Me5 August 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks1Gotta Be Me3:372Grass Stains3:103With You I Am3:414Half a Song3:325The Only One I Know (Cowboy Life)3:596Walk Away4:297Kiss Goodbye3:218Chain Drinkin’3:109Wild as You3:0610I Know My Way Back (Clara’s Song)3:2611Billy’s Brother3:0312Every Scar Has a Story3:2813I Ain’t Going Nowhere Baby4:3714I Can’t Even Walk (Without You Holding My Hand)3:52, was released on August 5, 2016. The album debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, and at No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart, selling 23,000 copies in the US in its first week. It was Johnson's most successful release to date, achieved without major label support or widespread radio play. On April 21, 2017, Johnson made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
Johnson made Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo history in March 2018 by becoming the first unsigned/independent artist to play to a sold-out crowd. His seventh album, Ain't Nothin' to It, was released on January 18, 2019. It includes the single "On My Way to You×On My Way to You10 August 2018 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1On My Way to You3:33", which was his first Top 20 hit on Country Airplay. The album and single were both released via Warner Records Nashville. In 2019, he collaborated with Brooks & Dunn on a new version of their hit song "Red Dirt Road", which appears on their album Reboot.

2021–2025: Human: The Double Album and Leather

Johnson released his most popular hit to date, "'Til You Can't" in June 2021, debuting at number 42 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 26, 2021. Johnson's eighth album, Human: The Double Album×Human: The Double Album8 October 2021 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Human3:412Honky Tonk Hardwood Floors3:193Sad Songs and Waltzes3:324’Til You Can’t3:445God Bless the Boy (Cori’s Song)3:266Known for Loving You2:467Driveway2:478Son of a Ramblin’ Man3:129I Always Wanted To5:0110I Don’t Know a Thing About Love3:4211Longer Than She Did3:1912Made a Home3:2513Let’s Build a Fire2:5614When It Comes to You3:3615Treasure3:1416Stronger3:1417Cowboy Scale of 1 to 102:5518By Your Grace3:58, was released on October 8, 2021. After the album was released, it climbed to number 24 on the chart dated October 23, 2021. The song went on to become his first Country radio chart-topper, earned him his first Grammy Award for Best Country Song, peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified six-times Platinum. It was notably covered by Kid Rock during the All-American Halftime Show in 2026. "Human×Human3 May 2022 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Human3:37" was chosen as the follow-up single, sent to Country radio on June 6, 2022.

Johnson announced "The Painter×The Painter11 August 2023 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1The Painter" in an interview with iHeartRadio's Spencer Graves in July 2023, which was set to be sent to country radio on August 14 as the lead single for his ninth album. It was a major success, becoming his second chart-topper, being certified triple Platinum, and peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. His ninth album Leather×Leather3 November 2023 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 25 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Work Boots2:492Double Down3:093Watching My Old Flame3:264That's Texas2:435Dirt Cheap3:596Jesus Loves You4:517Whiskey Bent3:168Leather3:149People in the Back2:3910Long Live Country Music3:2411The Painter3:3112Make Me a Mop3:16Disc 21Overdue2:452The Fall3:183How Do You Sleep at Night?3:144Country Boy Singin’ the Blues3:525Georgia Peaches3:536Damn Good Life3:167C'mon Cowgirl3:188I Wished It Was You4:049Take It Like a Man2:4810I'm Gonna Love You3:0811Made in the USA3:4812Over Missin' You3:2913The Mustang4:56 was released on November 3, 2023, containing three more successful radio hits "Dirt Cheap", a duet with Carrie Underwood "I'm Gonna Love You×I'm Gonna Love You1 January 2024 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1I'm Gonna Love You3:08", and deluxe reissue track "The Fall". The album went Platinum, had a sold-out tour in promotion, won the CMA Album of the Year award, and released the Leather Deluxe Edition in November 2024, adding 12 new tracks. That year, he also collaborated with Terri Clark on a new version of her song "I Just Wanna Be Mad" for her album Take Two.
In 2025, he won ACM Song of the Year for "Dirt Cheap" and CMA Male Vocalist of the Year. On November 7, 2025, Johnson released his highly anticipated viral cover of The Chicks' ''Travelin' Soldier" in honor of the Veterans Day holiday. Upon its official release, the studio version debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest-charting song of his career.

2026–present: Banks of the Trinity

Johnson announced his tenth studio album, Banks of the Trinity×Banks of the Trinity26 June 2026 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Horseback2:492Hello Lonesome2:593Fool Proof2:374Take Me Back (Leave Me There)2:595Banks of the Trinity2:596I Want You3:117I Have3:418Bible for a Boy (For Jaycee)3:079Kissing a Married Woman3:2710Every Man3:1911Motel Miss You2:5312Shoot the Bull3:0513Cricket on a Hook3:2414Time Bomb4:0515Thank Somebody Country3:4616Yippy Ty Oh Hey Hey3:48, which was released on June 26, 2026. The lead single "I Want You×I Want You17 April 2026 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1I Want You3:11" was released on April 17, 2026, followed by multiple promotional singles including the radio single "Horseback" and "Take Me Back (Leave Me There)". The latter went viral on TikTok through a cappella romantic trend.

Musical style

Cody Johnson's music is classified as contemporary country, neo-traditionalist country, or cowboy. Marcus Dowling of CMT said that many view Johnson as a leader within the "back to country" movement in the industry. In an interview with Brett Callwood of Westword, Johnson said that his music draws from multiple genres: "I'm not sure if you'd call me Texas or red dirt or mainstream or outlaw. I just always say that I'm me. I sound like what I sound like, and I'm not trying to be anything that I'm not."

Influences

Johnson is inspired by many artists who are considered to be traditional country music artists: George Strait, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, and Loretta Lynn. In an interview with Andy Langer and Texas Monthly in 2019, he said that he is inspired by two artists in particular: "The George Strait type of traditional country music is what I like, and that's what I stand for. But at the same time, Willie Nelson's unwillingness to waver on who he is means just as much." Johnson takes inspiration from his country background of bull riding and working within the prison system, which he said has influenced his songs such as "Guilty as Can Be". In a Westword interview, Johnson spoke of the influence of previous job experiences: "It (Guilty as Can Be) was a made-up story about a guy who catches his wife cheating, goes to prison and the whole nine yards. I paid homage to my prison years there." Additionally, nearly being in a plane crash was the inspiration for "Til You Can't" and "Billy's Brother" is about barroom brawls he witnessed.

Personal life

Johnson married his wife Brandi on November 8, 2008. They first met as teenagers at a Future Farmers of America event and crossed paths again years later at a local bar. They have three children: daughters Clara Mae (born 2015) and Cori (born 2017), and a son, Jaycee (born October 2025).
Johnson is a Christian.

Headlining

The Leather Tour (2024)
Leather Deluxe Tour (2025)
Cody Johnson Live '26 (2026)

Supporting

2019 Tour (Justin Moore) (2019)
Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour (Luke Combs) (2019)
Wildcard Tour (Miranda Lambert) (2020)
Middle of Somewhere (Luke Combs) (2022)
Luke Combs World Tour (Luke Combs) (2023)
Out in the Middle Tour (Zac Brown Band) (2022)