Cody Johnson
Cody Johnson has a track record of bucking the system and doing things his own way. At a time when many artists are going shorter and creating EPs with just a handful of songs, Johnson has released a monumental 18-track double album called Human. The collection includes the inspirational “Til You Can’t,” a “Sad Songs and Waltzes” duet with Willie Nelson, the high-energy, aptly named “Honky Tonk Hardwood Floors,” and even a fun, old fashioned talking song called “Cowboy Scale of 1 to 10.”
“We rolled the dice and come out swinging,” Johnson says with a laugh, referring to the album. “There’s not a single song on this album that’s a filler. When you’ve got 18 tracks you’ve got to know each one of those tracks was recorded for a purpose.”
At a listening party in Nashville this week, Warner Nashville’s Ben Kline (EVP/GM Warner Nashville) described the album by saying, “It’s an artistic statement, it’s a personal statement, and we think it’s also going to take Cody to the next level.”
Cover for Cody Johnson's new double album "Human"
A former semi-pro rodeo circuit rider, Johnson launched his music career as an independent artist in Texas years ago. The singer/songwriter worked hard, building a grass roots fan base so strong, he was able to sign an unprecedented 50/50 partnership record deal with Warner Music Nashville in 2018. (His first release under the COJO Music/Warner Music Nashville partnership was an album called Ain’t Nothing To It that went gold.)
Johnson is a dynamic, energetic performer who, from the beginning, has stayed true to his values and his personal goal of “putting the cowboy back in country music.” He was able to create his new album with no limits or restrictions.
“I had the freedom to go into the studio and record whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted,” he explains. “Nobody was breathing down my neck telling me I had to get a hit or get a playlist or whatever, they just said go create an album.”
When he told record executives he had 18 songs, it was decided they would all be included in a double album.
Human features new material written by both Johnson and other writers, as well as several older songs previously recorded by other artists. He’s excited his road band was able to play on the album.
“To have my band on “Sad Songs and Waltzes” with Willie Nelson, on the Vince Gill song “Son of a Rambling Man”, and several others was a lot of fun. It lets them showcase their talents in the studio and not just live on stage.”
Johnson admits he’s so attached to every song on the album, it’s difficult to choose favorites.
“It’s hard become I love each one for different reasons. There are songs like “Longer Than She Did” that’s kind of really just a funny song about driving around on backroads and letting the whiskey be the DJ and it’s got a funky little groove to it that makes me feel good. But then there are songs like “I Always Wanted To” that are very deep and very different. When I heard that song I thought, why would y’all play me that? It’s the saddest song I’ve ever heard in my life.”
He refused the song initially, then later called back to see if it was still available. He felt it was a song he needed to include on the album.
One track, set to become his next single, is called “Til You Can’t.” It’s an upbeat, positive song that advises against waiting to do and say the things that matter until it’s too late. The lyrics took on special meaning for Johnson about three months ago.
“My wife and myself, my tour manager and my road manager were on a plane headed to go play a NASCAR thing and the private jet almost went down. We had a very, very scary situation to where we were kind of looking death in the face and thinking, this is it.”
Thankfully, they made it safely to the ground, but the experience stirred something in Johnson.
“After that I thought, why did I tell my daughters I didn’t have time to get down on the floor and play with them. Why didn’t I tell this person I loved them, why didn’t I tell that person, hey sorry for doing that, or why didn’t I apply myself more here? Our days are numbered and I think it’s something people need to hear. Do it now.”
The song with lyrics like “If you get a chance take it,” and “If you’ve got a dream chase it” falls right along with what’s become sort of philosophy for Johnson.
His new album follows a documentary called “Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story.” Released in some theaters earlier this year, it becomes available for streaming on multiple platforms on October 12th. The title comes from his signature song “Dear Rodeo” that tells of his love affair with the sport and the challenge of giving it up when he realized he wasn’t good enough to compete at a high level. Through faith and persistence he soon discovered his talents were more aligned with a career in music.
The documentary features interviews with others including Navy Seal Chris Kyle’s widow, Taya Kyle, and Reba McEntire. Both Chris Kyle and Reba, started out with a love for rodeo, but ended up moving in different directions, as well. Johnson says while rodeo is the key example in the film, it simply represents one type of personal challenge someone might face.
“We all have the same struggles whether it’s a rodeo story or a loved one you’ve lost or a job you didn’t get,” says Johnson. “Maybe 2020 is what’s giving you your Dear Rodeo story, or some people might be right in the middle of theirs. No matter how many problems you have, no matter how many issues you have, no matter whether you’re a borderline sit-on-the-fence Christian, God doesn’t care about that, he just wants you to give him the glory and let him be involved in shaping your life. And I think that’s a huge testimony for any of us to hear.”
His life, as it shows in the film, is his own best example of “staying the course.” And he hopes it encourages others to do the same.
“It’s funny you know, at one time I said I’d never sign with Warner Nashville and that came back around. I failed at bull-riding but now I live on a ranch, own horses and team rope, and am able to compete. I was in a bad spot in my life and now I’m 34 and in a way better spot. So, stay the course through hard times and good things will happen.”
Johnson believes Human is one of those “good things.”
The album is available digitally now, with CDs available on October 29th, and vinyl copies set for release this fall.
Johnson says if people listen to the songs in consecutive order, it follows the same pace fans would hear with a set list at one of his shows. For anyone not familiar with his music, he admits many of these songs are not the type of songs normally played on country radio, and that’s by design.
“We’re not going to chase radio, we’re not going to chase No. 1’s, we’re not going to chase notoriety. We’re going to make music we believe in.”
And if a double album featuring 18 tracks is not enough, Johnson has also recorded a Christmas album that will be available in November. If you’re not already familiar with him, you will be. He continues turning out his version of country music and having a good time while doing it.
