If you were to look at one of most popular country stars of today, Cody Johnson will say that he’s been on a hell of a run lately.
His hit single “Til You Can’t” snagged up all kinds of awards and nominations, and more recently, he was nominated for Male Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards. CoJo released a new album, Leather, this year, has packed venues across the country, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
But it wasn’t always that way…
Back in 2011, Cody was singing one of his early hits, “Pray For Rain” at an empty bar down in Texas… and it’s GREAT. This was in the early stages of his career in the independent circuit, back when all he needed was a guitar and a good song. Although, these days, that’s still the formula… has anything really changed?
Now in 2023, heading into 2024, Cody has a major label backing him, loads of radio play, and national recognition, but you can see that every empty smoky bar was part of the process and it was those nights that led him to where he is today.
It might be a bigger stage, with a bigger crowd, but it’s still all about a guitar and a good song.