Cody Johnson has journeyed from the rugged arenas of rodeo competitions to the heart of country music stardom. Raised in a rural Texan community, Johnson’s roots were firmly planted in the cowboy lifestyle. Growing up, he exhibited a passion for rodeo, honing his skills as a bull rider. However, fate had different plans for him.
In 2006, at the age of 19, Johnson faced a pivotal moment in his life. He traded his rodeo reins for a guitar, discovering his profound love for country music. This shift marked the beginning of his musical odyssey. With determination in his heart and a guitar in his hands, he started performing at local venues, gradually building a loyal fan base captivated by his authentic storytelling and powerful vocals.
Johnson’s determined spirit led him to release six albums independently, showcasing his unwavering dedication to traditional country sounds. His genuine lyrics and soul-stirring melodies resonated with listeners, setting the stage for his remarkable rise in the country music scene.
The turning point came in 2019 when Johnson made his major label debut with the album ‘Ain’t Nothin’ to It’. This critically acclaimed release not only cemented his reputation as a gifted artist but also introduced him to a broader audience. The album’s success was a testament to his dedication and talent, as was the follow up album, ‘Human’, a double album that yielded one of the biggest award-winning smash hit songs of recent years, ‘Til’ You Can’t.’
One of Johnson’s defining traits is his commitment to preserving the essence of classic country music. With influences ranging from Merle Haggard to George Strait, his music captures the timeless spirit of the genre while infusing it with his unique charm. His genuine approach to songwriting and his ability to utilise the best writers that Nashville & Texas has to offer has enabled him to connect with audiences on a profound level and made him a cherished figure in modern country music.
On new album, ‘Leather,’ Johnson delves into themes deeply rooted in country traditions, weaving tales of love, loss, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a cowboy. Embracing Nashville’s rich songwriting talent, Johnson, for the first time in his career, has allowed the city’s prolific writers to pen all 12 tracks, resulting in a cohesive and emotionally charged album. It is Johnson’s way of putting the unofficial cowboy work ethic into practice: take a deep seat, a short rein, and get after it. The title track, penned by country hitmakers Rivers Rutherford, Jeremy Spillman, and Ian Munsick, captures the essence of a true cowboy’s resilience, portraying how life’s challenges mould a man of enduring strength set against a delightful bed of guitars and fiddles.
That kind of weight and emotional depth runs through ‘Leather’ like lettering through a stick of rock. ‘Whiskey Bent’ (featuring Jelly Roll) finds Johnson reflecting on sobriety and redemption. With acoustic guitars setting a contemplative tone, Jelly Roll’s contribution adds depth, resulting in a heartfelt, radio-friendly tune whilst on ‘Dirt Cheap’ Johnson’s ability to emote shines on a poignant ballad about valuing memories over material gain. The song’s emotional depth, accompanied by powerful piano melodies, creates a resonant narrative that tugs at the heartstrings.
Speaking of heartstrings, check out the double whammy gut-punch end to the album provided by ‘The Painter’ and ‘Make Me a Mop.’ The former, a heartfelt tribute to Johnson’s wife, unfolds with simplicity and sincerity. The emotional depth in Johnson’s voice resonates profoundly, creating a moving ballad that feels deeply personal as he sings, ‘My life was black and white but she’s the painter’ on a lovely chorus with a delightful cadence and a real emotional punch. ‘Make Me a Mop’, meanwhile, is a prayer. A prayer that showcases Johnson’s vulnerability. With haunting steel guitars and introspective lyrics, the song explores themes of resilience and purpose as Johnson pleads with the man upstairs, ‘Make me a mop, just use me for something, rather than cleaning up my own puddle of tears.’
Elsewhere Cody Johnson can be found having some good old Texan fun. ‘That’s Texas’ is a playful romp celebrating Texan culture. With mentions of Resistol hats and George Strait, the song’s fiddle and steel guitar solos add authenticity, making it a lively, crowd-pleasing anthem. On ‘Work Boots’, meanwhile, Johnson personifies his shoes in a jaunty dance anthem. The clever lyrics and upbeat rhythm make it an instant toe-tapper, setting the tone for the album’s charm and creativity. ‘People in the Back’, meanwhile, is a funky, anthemic tribute to everyday heroes infused with stadium-sized energy. Johnson’s vocals shine as he celebrates the unsung folks in society, making it a dynamic and relatable track that will be part of his live set for years to come as he pays tribute to the blue collar workers, single mums & military personnel up in the nosebleeds.
Perhaps the strongest ‘live’ moment on ‘Leather’ comes in the shape of a collaboration with Brooks & Dunn on ‘Long Live Country Music’. A lively nod to the roots of country music, this collaboration exudes energy. Filled with catchy melodies and references to country traditions, it becomes an infectious singalong anthem as things like rodeo and two stepping on a hard wood floor get a Texan mention too. Brooks & Dunn add their touch to the song as they sing about the Opry circle being unbroken, amongst other references, and the crowd go home with a great big smile on their face!
Throw in the massive potential radio hit ‘Watching My Old Flame’, a huge ballad full of chugging guitars and heartbroken lyrics and ‘Jesus Loves You’, a unique tale of forgiveness and grace (seemingly, until you come to the last line!) in which Johnson’s vocals soar as he confronts the man who burgled his house and you’ve pretty much covered all of the bases that a great Country music album should cover! The difference on ‘Leather,’ however, is that nothing feels formulaic or performative. Despite not having written any of the songs on this album, somehow, Cody Johnson has the talent, the charm and the guts to damn well make all these songs from different writers his very own as he creates a rich, warm and powerful narrative throughout.
In ‘Leather’, Cody Johnson not only delivers a musical masterpiece but also invites listeners into his world, where authentic storytelling and genuine emotions take center stage. “This round of songs, I have to say, is the best round of songs I have ever recorded and I feel like that’s the way it should be,” Johnson says of ‘Leather.’ The sincerity, depth and heft in every song makes the album a compelling and resonant musical endeavour. Each track is a brushstroke, painting a portrait of life’s highs and lows alongside the eternal search for strength, resilience and redemption. ‘Leather’ is also relatable and fun where it needs to be, making this album a compelling and memorable addition to Johnson’s burgeoning discography and one of the most impactful albums of 2023.
Tracklist: 1. Work Boots 2. Double Down 3. Watching My Old Flame 4. That’s Texas 5. Dirt Cheap 6. Jesus Loves You 7. Whiskey Bent 8. Leather 9. People in the Back 10. Long Live Country Music 11. The Painter 12. Make Me a Mop Record Label: Warner Music Nashville Release Date: November 3rd Buy ‘Leather’ Right Here
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