Cody Johnson – 14 Impressive Facts You Didn’t Know
Cody Daniel Johnson, better known as “CoJo” is an American country music singer/songwriter. He learned to play music from his dad who performed at their local church which was where Cody learned how to sing and play numerous instruments. After signing with Warner Nashville, he released “Ain’t Nothin’ To It” in January 2019 and in October 2021, he released “Human: The Double Album”.
If you want to know more about Cody Johnson, keep reading because we have found 14 impressive facts about Cody Johnson that you didn’t know.
He Once Had A Part-Time Job Shaping Cowboy Hats
While he was still in college, Cody had a part-time job at Baskins in Huntsville, Texas, shaping cowboy hats, as well as playing music gigs. He was also getting into rodeo work at the same time which meant he was trying to fit too much into his days. This led to him concentrating on his music career and leaving college.
One Of His Previous Jobs Was A Professional Bull Rider
At the age of 15, Cody rode his first bull and decided to make a career of it. In an interview with Billboard[1], Cody said he was always “a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I saw a challenge and I wanted to accomplish it, I was good enough to get by. I had just enough of a taste of it to keep me going, and I really never expected to fail”. He saw others walking away with trophies while he was selling CDs from the back of his truck to survive so he decided to move on to something else.
He’s Into Paleo And CrossFit
After having worked as a bull rider, it’s probably not that surprising that Cody likes to keep fit. He has followed the Paleo diet and even got into the crossfit workout craze. He said he likes to keep his meals healthy and filling but often has a beer before going on stage.
He Also Worked In A Prison
Once he walked away from the bull riding (when he was 19), Cody needed some way to support himself. He decided to work where his dad had worked for 32 years, he became a prison supervisor. He went through the whole system, starting with intake, working with new prisoners, then he worked in the sexual offenders unit, then he went onto the maximum security unit.
Eventually becoming a field boss where he rode a horse. After some time his boss at the prison told him to leave, we’ll let Cody tell you in his own words, “Eventually the warden sat me down and said, you need to quit this job and go play music. You’re already playing so many gigs that you’re having trouble showing up for work on time. You just need to go. Prison will always be here”.
His Wife Supported Him While He Was Finding His Way In The Music Business
After giving up his steady job with a regular paycheck and all the benefits that come with it, like insurance and a pension, he had no money coming in. Cody said that his wife left college and took 2 jobs and supported him for 2 years.
His Dad Was In His Band
When he left work to concentrate on his music in 2006, he started The Cody Johnson Band along with his dad, Carl on bass guitar and Nathan Reedy on drums. They released 2 albums, “Black And White Label” and “Live And Rocking”. After the release of the 2nd album, his dad quit the band.
He Made History In Houston
Cody became the first unsigned/independent artist to play to a sold out crowd on May 15th 2019 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He sold 74,000 tickets for the show that was held at the NRG Stadium at RodeoHouston.
There’s A Whole Documentary Made About His Life
Cody has a whole documentary that’s been made about his life which is called “Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story”. It is a feature length film and it covers his journey from a bull rider to filling some of the largest music venues in America. It was inspired by his duet with Reba McEntire “Dear Rodeo”.
One Of His Teachers Encouraged Him To Start A Band
When Cody was in junior high school, one of his teachers encouraged him to start a band. He did and that band went on to become runners up in the Texas State Future Farmers of America talent contest.
He’s A Big Fan Of All Types Of Country Music
Cody’s music is some of the most traditional sounding songs ever to be featured on the main-stream country music charts. But that doesn’t mean he dislikes other country music styles. He said “I was influenced by George Strait and Garth Brooks and Chris LeDoux and Merle Haggard, but I love all of it. People talk all kinds of trash about today’s artists. I’m not one of those guys. I’m just happy to be at the dance”.
His Influences Include Some Country Music Greats
Cody has said his influences include George Strait, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard. He said “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” in an interview with Texas Monthly.
He Self-Released An Album That Debuted At Number Two
Before Cody signed to Warner Nashville, he self-released his first six albums. One of which, “Gotta Be Me” debuted at number two on the Billboard Country Album charts in August 2016. The album also debuted at number one on the iTunes country chart.
His First Album For A Major Label Was A Hit
Cody signed with Warner Music Nashville and released the album “Ain’t Nothing To It” on January 18th 2019. It sold more than 63,000 copies and peaked at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
His Music Crosses Genres
Cody’s styles can be described as a mixture of Garth Brooks and Willie Nelson but with added Rock & Roll. He says “All of that together means 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. I’m just trying to be myself. Wherever I fit, I’m just happy to be playing music for a living.”
Do You Know Any More?
That’s our 14 impressive facts you didn’t know about Cody Johnson, do you know any more? Please share them with us in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cody Johnson is from Huntsville, Texas, USA.
Cody Johnson is famous for bull riding.
The name of Cody Johnson’s self-released album that peaked at number two on the country charts is “Gotta Be Me”.
The Cody Johnson song that contains the lines “I’d be lying if I tried to tell you I don’t think about you, after all the miles and the wild nights that we’ve been through” is “Dear Rodeo” which he released as a duet with Reba McEntire.
Cody Johnson’s nickname is “CoJo”.
One of Cody Johnson’s early jobs was as a cowboy hat shaper at Baskins in Huntsville, Texas.
The Cody Johnson song that contains the lines “I never planned on being nothin’ but a cowboy, but somewhere I picked up this old guitar” is “Human” which is taken from the album “Human: The Double Album”.
The artists that Cody Johnson collaborated with in 2019 on the song “Red Dirt Road” were Brooks & Dunn.
The name of Cody Johnson’s first Top 40 hit on the Country Airplay chart was “On My Way To You”.
The song that Cody Johnson released with Reba McEntire as a duet is “Dear Rodeo” which is also the name of his documentary film.
When Cody Johnson was starting his recording career, his wife Brandi quit college and took on two jobs to support him.
Cody Johnson’s dad Carl, played bass guitar in the Cody Johnson Band, but left after the release of their second album.
Cody Johnson’s first ever album was called “Black And White Label”.
The Cody Johnson Band took the name “The Rockin’ CJB’s” in 2012.
The Cody Johnson song that contains the lyrics “You can keep putting off forever with that girl who’s heart you hold, swearing that you’ll ask some day further down the road” is “Til You Can’t” which is taken from the album “Human: The Double Album”.
