Tag Archives: Cody Johnson

Album Review: Cody Johnson–Ain’t Nothin’ to It

Rating: 8/10

When it comes to the world of Texas country and Red dirt, Cody Johnson won’t be the first name you turn to when recommending worthy artists in the scene. The first band many will point to is Turnpike Troubadours. The best live show might again be the Troubadours, or perhaps Koe Wetzel, or, on the more commercial side of Texas country, Aaron Watson. Even the first Cody many are likely to name-check is Jinks, though it can be argued Cody Jinks is quite independent from any scene and just out there doing his own thing. Still, it’s Jinks that many independent fans would like to see given an opportunity in Nashville, although Jinks himself might refuse that particular distinction. Cody Johnson is not the best artist in the Texas scene, but he’s solid, and country, and an excellent choice to walk through the door of a major record label and come out winning. That’s what this cover symbolizes–Cody Johnson has walked through the door separating Texas and Nashville and lived to tell the tale. He’s done it without compromise because he has the fan base to back him up, a voice that would sound ridiculous singing anything but country songs, and enough polish to appeal to some of the more traditionally and lyrically minded mainstream listeners.

That’s the cool thing about this album; this is now the record you can recommend to your friends when they ask why you don’t listen to the mainstream and why you enjoy traditional country. It’s a record for the country radio listeners who aren’t out there seeking the depth or sound of someone like Jason Isbell but who miss the sound of a fiddle and good country storytelling. It’s the album for George Strait and Alan Jackson fans who crave that traditional flavor in their music while also enjoying pragmatic lyrics and some modern sensibilities. It’s not the staunch throwback sound of Joshua Hedley or the typical outlaw country fare offered by so many these days, but a true example of how traditional-sounding country can still exist in the modern context. And perhaps most important of all, it’s a door through which other similar artists might be able to walk and find success now that Johnson has made a way for them.

As for the songs themselves, they’re solid and steady like Johnson himself. Cody hasn’t compromised his sound and style, and that’s one of the best attributes of the whole album, that every note and lyric still represent the Johnson his fans have come to know and love. There’s no running theme tying this record together, but most of these songs are good selections and earn their place on the album. “Dear Rodeo” is the highlight, with its heartfelt lyrics about his love/hate relationship with the rodeo and how much he misses it. The title track is another standout moment, as a father gives advice to his son on how to make love and marriage work. On the other side of the spectrum, there’s “Understand Why,” a clever breakup song detailing all the places he’d like to go to avoid his ex. Also, as a lover of the original and a skeptic about this version, I must say that the cover of “Long Haired Country boy” was a pleasant surprise. Johnson really pulls this off and makes it his own without taking anything away from the original. And if you can keep from singing along to “Honky Tonk Mood,” I really question your ability to have fun.

Even the lighter material is delivered with an infectious passion and energy. This element is so often lost in independent music, and it’s great to see this brought to the mainstream as proof that traditional country isn’t always dull or unhappy. The aforementioned “Honky Tonk Mood” is anchored by a healthy does of fiddle, a sound nearly forsaken by the majority of mainstream country artists. “Doubt Me Now” is admittedly cringe-worthy in some places lyrically, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy this song. It’s because of the heart, passion, and personality Cody Johnson brings to each track, breathing life and vitality into every word. This will be very cool in a live setting. “Y’all People,” dedicated to Johnson’s fans, feels like a pandering misstep and could have been left off a fifteen-track record, but again, it will probably be great live, and it’s these kinds of songs that make Johnson the right person to bridge the gap between Texas and Nashville, mainstream and independent. Although the album does feel a bit long, this is the only track that really comes across as needless, and it’s harmless filler rather than a truly bad offering.

Cody Johnson is having success with this record for good reason. It’s traditional in sound and style while still offering modern textures and pragmatic songwriting. It’s the perfect balance between Texas and Nashville, offering enough substance and country instrumentation for independent fans while still being accessible and a fun listen. The lyrics are smart, and the melodies are engaging. Most importantly, this record is a significant step for independent artists, and hopefully, Cody Johnson’s success will pave the way for other artists to be given opportunities by major labels. Time will tell on that front, but for now, this is a great record and a solid bridge between the two worlds.

Buy the Album

Texas Music From Oklahoma: A Look at the Texas Music Chart (October 19th)

Texas Music Chart

1. Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen–“Lady Bug” (up 2)
2. Bart Crow–“Life Comes at You Fast”
3. Curtis Grimes–“Smile That Smile” (up 1)
4. Casey Donahew Band–“Loser” (up 1)
5. Mike Ryan–“Girls I Date” (up 2)
6. Kevin Fowler & Deryl Dodd–“Damn This Ol’ Honky Tonk Dream” (down 5)
7. The Statesboro Revue–“Undone” (down 1)
8. TJ Broscoff–“Phone Calls” (up 1)
9. Josh Grider–“You Dream I’ll Drive” (up 2)
10. Stoney LaRue–“Easy She Comes” (up 3)
11. Roger Creager & Cody Johnson–“If You Had to Choose” (up 4)
12. Jon Wolfe–“Don’t It Feel Good” (up 7)
13. Mario Flores–“Beer Time” (up 3)
14. Uncle Lucius–“Don’t Own the Right”
15. Saints Eleven–“I Don’t” (up 3)
16. Reckless Kelly–“Real Cool Hand” (down 8)
17. Turnpike Troubadours–“Down Here” (down 7)
18. Zane Williams–“She Is” (up 2)
19. JB and the Moonshine Band–“Shotgun, Rifle, and a .45” (down 2)
20. Chance Anderson Band–“245 Miles” (up 1)
21. Jason James–“I’ve Been Drinkin’ More” (up 1)
22. William Clark Green–“Ringling Road” (up 5)
23. Josh Ward–“Whiskey & Whitley” (up 16)
24. Jason Boland & The Stragglers–“Holy Relic Sale” (up 6)
25. Dalton Domino–“Jesus & Handbags”
26. Luke Robinson–“Roses on the Radio” (up 3)
27. Green River Ordinance–“Red Fire Night” (up 13)
28. Miles Williams–“Teasin’ Me” (down 16) [biggest loser]
29. Casey Berry–“Blood of the Lamb” (up 2)
30. Cameran Nelson–“Nothing’s Got Nothin'” (up 18) [biggest gainer]
31. Bri Bagwell–“My Boots” (up 2)
32. Ray Johnston Band–“Small Town Square”
33. American Aquarium–“Losing Side of Twenty-Five” (up 3)
34. The Damn Quails–“Just a Little While”
35. Cody Jinks–“Loud and Heavy” (up 2)
36. Micky & the Motorcars–“Tonight we Ride” (down 1)
37. Pat Green–“While I Was Away” (down 11)
38. Cody Joe Hodges–“One More Drink” (up 4)
39. Paul Thorn–“Everybody Needs Somebody” (down 1)
40. Josh Abbott Band–“Amnesia” (up 3)
41. Jason Cassidy–“Rest of Forever” (up 4)
42. Aaron Watson–“Getaway Truck” (entering top 50)
43. Blue Water Highway Band–“Medicine Man” (up 4)
44. Kaleb McIntire–“Ozark Mountain Stomp” (down 16)
45. Breelan Angel–“She Made Your Bed” (up 1)
46. Tori Martin–“Woman Up” (down 5)
47. Prophets and Outlaws–“Country Music Gold” (entering top 50)
48. Parker McCollum–“High Above the Water” (up 1)
49. Folk Family Revival–“I Drew a Line” (entering top 50)
50. Zach Coffey–“Love Will Lead me Back to You” (re-entering top 50)

  • New #1: “Lady Bug”
  • next week’s #1 prediction: “Life Comes at You Fast”
  • Aaron Watson is back on the charts with “Get Away Truck,” entering at #42

Source: Texas Music Chart

Texas Music From Oklahoma: A Look at the Texas Music Chart (October 12th)

Texas Music Chart

1. Kevin Fowler & Deryl Dodd–“Damn This Ol’ Honky Tonk Dream” (up 4)
2. Bart Crow–“Life Comes at You Fast”
3. Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen–“Lady Bug” (up 3)
4. Curtis Grimes–“Smile That Smile”
5. Casey Donahew Band–“Loser” (up 2)
6. The Statesboro Revue–“Undone” (up 2)
7. Mike Ryan–“Girls I Date” (up 2)
8. Reckless Kelly–“Real Cool Hand” (down 7)
9. TJ Broscoff–“Phone Calls” (up 3)
10. Turnpike Troubadours–“Down Here” (down 7)
11. Josh Grider–“You Dream I’ll Drive” (up 2)
12. Miles Williams–“Teasin’ Me” (down 1)
13. Stoney LaRue–“Easy She Comes” (up 2)
14. Uncle Lucius–“Don’t Own the Right” (up 2)
15. Roger Creager & Cody Johnson–“If You Had to Choose” (up 3)
16. Mario Flores–“Beer Time” (up 3)
17. JB and the Moonshine Band–“Shotgun, Rifle, and a .45”
18. Saints Eleven–“I Don’t” (up 6)
19. Jon Wolfe–“Don’t It Feel Good” (up 1)
20. Zane Williams–“She Is” (up 2)
21. Chance Anderson Band–“245 Miles” (up 6)
22. Jason James–“I’ve Been Drinkin’ More” (up 1)
23. Kyle Park–“What Goes Around Comes Around” (down 9)
24. Cory Morrow–“Old With You” (down 14)
25. Dalton Domino–“Jesus & Handbags” (up 3)
26. Pat Green–“While I Was Away” (down 1)
27. William Clark Green–“Ringling Road” (up 2)
28. Kaleb McIntire–“Ozark Mountain Stomp” (up 3)
29. Luke Robinson–“Roses on the Radio” (up 6)
30. Jason Boland & the Stragglers–“Holy Relic Sale” (up 7)
31. Casey Berry–“Blood of the Lamb” (up 2)
32. Ray Johnston Band–“Small Town Square”
33. Bri Bagwell–“My Boots” (up 8) [biggest gainer]
34. The Damn Quails–“Just a Little While” (up 2)
35. Micky & the Motorcars–“Tonight we Ride” (down 1)
36. American Aquarium–“Losing Side of Twenty-Five” (up 2)
37. Cody Jinks–“Loud and Heavy” (up 3)
38. Paul Thorn–“Everybody Needs Somebody” (up 5)
39. Josh Ward–“Whiskey & Whitley” (entering top 50)
40. Green River Ordinance–“Red Fire Night” (up 7)
41. Tori Martin–“Woman Up” (down 2)
42. Cody Joe Hodges–“One More Drink” (up 2)
43. Josh Abbott Band–“Amnesia” (entering top 50)
44. Cody Johnson–“Proud” (down 2)
45. Jason Cassidi–“Rest of Forever” (entering top 50)
46. Breelan Angel–“She Made Your Bed” (down 1)
47. Blue Water Highway Band–“Medicine Man” (down 1)
48. Cameran Nelson–“Nothing’s Got Nothin'”
49. Parker McCollum–“High Above the Water”
50. Josh Fuller–“On the Radio” (re-entering top 50)

  • new #1: “Damn This Ol’ Honky Tonk Dream”
  • next week’s #1 prediction: “Lady Bug
  • Josh Abbott Band’s “Amnesia” enters at #43 this week

Source: Texas Music Chart

Texas Music From Oklahoma: A Look at the Texas Music Chart (October 5th)

Texas Music Chart

1. Reckless Kelly–“Real Cool Hand” (up 1)
2. Bart Crow–“Life Comes at You Fast” (up 2)
3. Turnpike Troubadours–“Down Here” (down 2)
4. Curtis Grimes–“Smile That Smile” (up 1)
5. Kevin Fowler & Deryl Dodd–“Damn This Ol’ Honky Tonk Dream” (up 1)
6. Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen–“Lady Bug” (up 1)
7. Casey Donahew Band–“Loser” (up 2)
8. The Statesboro Revue–“Undone” (up 3)
9. Mike Ryan–“Girls I Date” (up 4)
10. Cory Morrow–“Old With You” (down 7)
11. Miles Williams–“Teasin’ Me” (down 1)
12. TJ Broscoff–“Phone Calls” (up 6)
13. Josh Grider–“You Dream I’ll Drive” (up 2)
14. Kyle Park–“What Goes Around Comes Around” (down 6)
15. Stoney LaRue–“Easy She Comes” (up 2)
16. Uncle Lucius–“Don’t Own the Right” (up 4)
17. JB and the Moonshine Band–“Shotgun, Rifle, and a .45” (down 1)
18. Roger Creager & Cody Johnson–“If You Had to Choose” (up 11) [biggest gainer]
19. Mario Flores–“Beer Time” (up 3)
20. Jon Wolfe–“Don’t It Feel Good” (up 4)
21. Whiskey Myers–“Shelter From the Rain” (down 7)
22. Zane Williams–“She Is” (up 1)
23. Jason James–“I’ve Been Drinkin’ More” (up 4)
24. Saints Eleven–“I Don’t” (up 1)
25. Pat Green–“While I Was Away” (down 6)
26. Cody Canada and the Departed–“Easy” (down 5)
27. Chance Anderson Band–“245 Miles” (down 1)
28. Dalton Domino–“Jesus & Handbags” (up 6)
29. William Clark Green–“Ringling Road” (up 10)
30. Matt Kimbrow–“Livin’ the Good Life” (down 18) [biggest loser]
31. Kaleb McIntire–“Ozark Mountain Stomp” (down 1)
32. Ray Johnston Band–“Small Town Square”
33. Casey Berry–“Blood of the Lamb”
34. Micky & the Motorcars–“Tonight we Ride” (up 4)
35. Luke Robinson–“Roses on the Radio”
36. The Damn Quails–“Just a Little While” (up 1)
37. Jason Boland & The Stragglers–“Holy Relic Sale” (up 7)
38. American Aquarium–“Losing Side of Twenty-Five” (up 3)
39. Tori Martin–“Woman Up” (down 8)
40. Cody Jinks–“Loud and Heavy”
41. Bri Bagwell–“My Boots” (up 1)
42. Cody Johnson–“Proud” (up 5)
43. Paul Thorn–“Everybody Needs Somebody” (up 3)
44. Cody Joe Hodges–“One More Drink” (down 1)
45. Breelan Angel–“She Made Your Bed” (up 3)
46. Blue Water Highway Band–“Medicine Man” (down 1)
47. Green River Ordinance–“Red Fire Night” (up 3)
48. Cameran Nelson–“Nothing’s Got Nothin'” (up 1)
49. Parker McCollum–“High Above the Water” (entering top 50)
50. Zach Coffey–“Love Will Lead me Back to You” (entering top 50)

  • new #1: “Real Cool Hand”
  • next week’s #1 prediction: “Life Comes at You Fast”

Source: Texas Music Chart

Texas Music From Oklahoma: A Look at the Texas Music Chart (September 28th)

Texas Music Chart

1. Turnpike Troubadours–“Down Here” (2nd week at #1)
2. Reckless Kelly–“Real Cool Hand” (up 2)
3. Cory Morrow–“Old With You” (down 1)
4. Bart Crow–“Life Comes at You Fast” (up 2)
5. Curtis Grimes–“Smile That Smile”
6. Kevin Fowler & Deryl Dodd–“Damn This Ol’ Honky Tonk Dream” (up 4)
7. Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen–“Lady Bug” (up 8)
8. Kyle Park–“What Goes Around Comes Around” (up 3)
9. Casey Donahew Band–“Loser” (up 5)
10. Miles Williams–“Teasin’ Me” (up 2)
11. The Statesboro Revue–“Undone” (up 2)
12. Matt Kimbrow–“Livin’ The Good Life” (down 9)
13. Mike Ryan–“Girls I Date” (up 4)
14. Whiskey Myers–“Shelter From the Rain” (down 6)
15. Josh Grider–“You Dream I’ll Drive” (up 3)
16. JB and the Moonshine Band–“Shotgun, Rifle, and a .45”
17. Stoney LaRue–“Easy She Comes” (up 4)
18. TJ Broscoff–“Phone Calls” (up 2)
19. Pat Green–“While I Was Away” (down 12) [biggest loser]
20. Uncle Lucius–“Don’t Own the Right” (down 1)
21. Cody Canada and the Departed–“Easy” (down 12)
22. Mario Flores–“Beer Time” (up 3)
23. Zane Williams–“She Is” (up 6)
24. Jon Wolfe–“Don’t it Feel Good” (up 8)
25. Saints Eleven–“I Don’t” (up 1)
26. Chance Anderson Band–“245 Miles” (up 2)
27. Jason James–“I’ve Been Drinkin’ More”
28. Wade Bowen–“Sun Shines on a Dreamer” (down 5)
29. Roger Creager & Cody Johnson–“If You Had to Choose” (up 8)
30. Kaleb McIntire–“Ozark Mountain Stomp” (up 3)
31. Tori Martin–“Woman Up” (down 1)
32. Ray Johnston Band–“Small Town Square” (up 4)
33. Casey Berry–“Blood of the Lamb” (up 1)
34. Dalton Domino–“Jesus & Handbags” (up 1)
35. Luke Robinson–“Roses on the Radio” (up 3)
36. Aaron Einhouse–“I Could Fall” (down 5)
37. The Damn Quails–“Just a Little While” (up 11) [biggest gainer]
38. Micky & the Motorcars–“Tonight We Ride” (up 2)
39. William Clark Green–“Ringling Road” (up 6)
40. Cody Jinks–“Loud and Heavy” (up 3)
41. American Aquarium–“Losing Side of Twenty-Five” (down 2)
42. Bri Bagwell–“My Boots” (up 2)
43. Cody Joe Hodges–“One More Drink” (up 3)
44. Jason Boland & The Stragglers–“Holy Relic Sale” (entering top 50)
45. Blue Water Highway Band–“Medicine Man” (down 3)
46. Paul Thorn–“Everybody Needs Somebody” (down 5)
47. Cody Johnson–“Proud”
48. Breelan Angel–“She Made Your Bed” (up 1)
49. Cameran Nelson–“Nothing’s Got Nothin'” (entering top 50)
50. Green River Ordinance–“Red Fire Night” (entering top 50)

  • good to see the Turnpike Troubadours on top again with “Down Here,” after a gain of 98 spins this week
  • next week’s #1 prediction: “Down Here
  • Jason Boland & The Stragglers are back with “Holy Relic Sale,” entering at #44

Source: Texas Music Chart