Many Texan music fans met Cody Johnson’s honest style through the radio singles from his "Six Strings, One Dream" album: "Nobody to Blame" (#6 on the Texas music charts in 2009); #1"Pray for Rain" (2009 - 2010); and "Texas Kind of Way" (#6, late 2010 – 2011).
At first he opened for other artists, but Cody has also taken the Texas dance-halls by storm. Increasingly, the Cody Johnson Band is the attraction, and an honest-to-goodness one.
Cody’s childhood, though, was different from his rowdy onstage personality. Growing up, home was Sebastopol, a speck on the East Texas piney woods map, the perfect setting for that country boy to roam the woods, hunt, and fish. Home-schooling and family times around the piano provided the kind of life the kind many folks envy. Even Cody's music training started when dad Carl taught him the chords to “I’ll Fly Away,” a southern gospel favorite.
Starting public school as a freshman, Cody expanded beyond playing the guitar and drums at church. When his AG science teacher overheard Cody playing an original song, he convinced Cody to form a band with other FFA (Future Farmers of America) members. A few months later, Cody's band placed runner-up in the highly-competitive Texas State FFA talent contest.
Cody left the contest realizing he was in love for life: in love with the music, the crowd, and the energy of performing onstage. Beginning in small honky-tonks and bars, he tried different musical styles. Discarding many, today Cody's shows still keep a Garth Brooks-level of energy and a Ronnie Van Zant-outlaw dedication to individual style. Like the late Chris LeDoux's musical beginnings, “CoJo” sold his acoustic CDs from the back of his truck during three years of bull-riding. Cody still shows up today as the true cowboy he is.
After graduation, Johnson worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville. There, supervising prison inmates, Cody confides, "I developed an even greater appreciation for family and friends. Seeing how easy it was to go to prison set me on the 'straight and narrow.'"
Also in Huntsville, Cody met Nathan Reedy, who became his new drummer. With Carl Johnson playing bass, the trio began traveling as the Cody Johnson Band. Their first CD, "Black & White Label," provided funding for travel and radio promotion—and the assurance that the music dream was real.
Along the way, several popular artists have shared their friendship, fans, and wisdom with Cody. Some gave business advice and warned him of issues musicians face on the road. The common thread is that other professionals respect Cody as a performer, songwriter, and individual. In turn, Cody Johnson earns that respect, giving as much effort to an audience of 30 or 30,000. As he states, “I like the crowd to sing along, yell, or whatever makes them feel part of the show. I love big crowds because of the energy and showmanship I can exhibit. I love acoustic shows because of the intimacy and how candid they are. Acoustic shows are like sittin’ around the living room pickin' and grinnin'."
Winning the Texas’ Regional Music Awards as “New Male Vocalist of the Year 2011” caused Cody to choose whether leave the security of state employment to chase his dreams. He followed his own advice to "Always pray for direction, and know that no matter what... the good Lord has a plan."
The answer to that prayer came when Cody's wife Brandi gave her “thumbs-up.” As Cody puts it, "When the woman I love—and plan to spend the rest of my life with—told me that she 'stands by her man' and believes in me 100%, I believed even more confidently that I could live my dream. Though I've had lots of people believe, contribute, push and pull me along, no one's efforts affected my decision emotionally the way Brandi's faith in me did."
Cody indeed left his "day job" for the more-than-full-time music career. But, that’s where the story really begins.
Expanding his boundaries beyond Texas, he flew to Nashville to record a new CD with Nashville studio musicians hand-picked by his "big brother," Nashville-based fellow Texan, Trent Willmon, producer of the new album, A Different Day (released October 31, 2011).
Though new to Nashville recording ways, Johnson’s musical confidence showed in the Music City recording studio. Together, he and the studio musicians tweaked songs to obtain the exact intended effect. Listening to the Music City veterans, Cody adopted suggestions when they felt right, and would "hang tough" when he felt the music differently.
According to CoJo, "I don't want to be labeled as 'Texas' or 'Nashville.' I am me: Texas, outlaw, cowboy, country, and a God-fearing man using the gift He gave me."
- Billie Willmon Jenkin
Proud
Cody Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that ain't scuffed up and walked right through the soles
And there aint a pair of jeans that ain't hanging on by the seams and full of holes
I ain't never been inside a three piece suit
And my collars just a worn out shade of blue
I try to beat the morning sun out of the bed
And then I work like hell til the sun goes down
most beautiful thing you've ever seen
Lord only knows what she means to me
Solid as the rock on her left hand
She's proud to be my woman and that's why I'm proud to be her man
She's flowers in her hair on Sunday mornin'
And she's a bud light in her hand on Friday night
She's corn bread in the oven
She's wild and crazy loving me just right
Oh you know that's right
She ain't afraid to put me in my place
And she ain't afraid to love me every night
So every day.
I try to beat the morning sun out of bed
Then I work like hell til the sun goes down
And then I rest my head next to the most beautiful thing you've ever seen
Lord only knows what she means to me
Solid as the rock on her left hand
She's proud to be my woman and that's why I'm proud to be her man
And she can rock a dress and cowboy boots
Make a rolling stone wanna plant some roots
And she's the one thing I can't afford lose
So I try to beat the morning sun out of the bed
And then I work like hell til the sun goes down
And then I rest my head next to the most beautiful thing you've ever seen
Lord only knows what she means to me
The reason I keep this ring on my left hand
Shea proud to be my woman
Thats why I'm proud to be her man
She's proud to be my woman
And that's why I'm proud to be her man
In this song, Cody Johnson sings about his humble background and how he finds pride in his hard work and his love for his woman. He talks about how he doesn't have anything fancy or expensive, but he cherishes the things he does have. He describes how he works from sunup to sundown to provide for his family and how his beautiful wife stands beside him, proud to be his woman.
The lyrics exude a sense of gratitude and contentment for the simple things in life. Cody Johnson is proud of who he is and where he comes from. He doesn't need material possessions to define his worth, as his love for his woman is enough. He acknowledges that she is a strong, independent woman who is not afraid to put him in his place when he needs it, but also loves him fiercely.
Overall, this song is a celebration of love and hard work, and how both can bring a sense of pride and fulfillment to one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
There ain't a pair of boots in my closet that ain't scuffed up and walked right through the soles
Every boot in my closet is worn out because I have worked hard and walked through many places.
And there aint a pair of jeans that ain't hanging on by the seams and full of holes
My jeans are torn at the seams and full of holes because I have been working tirelessly.
I ain't never been inside a three piece suit
I have never worn fancy clothes because I am a hard worker and do not need to dress up.
And my collars just a worn out shade of blue
Even my collar is worn and faded because I have worked tirelessly every day.
She's flowers in her hair on Sunday mornin'
My woman is elegant and beautiful on Sunday mornings, adorning her hair with flowers.
And she's a bud light in her hand on Friday night
She is also carefree and enjoying the weekend with a drink in her hand on Friday nights.
She's corn bread in the oven
She is also a talented cook, baking cornbread to perfection.
She's wild and crazy loving me just right
She is the perfect match for me, loving me in all the right ways and keeping life exciting.
And she can rock a dress and cowboy boots
My woman is confident and can look good in all types of clothing, including a dress and cowboy boots.
Make a rolling stone wanna plant some roots
She is so wonderful that even a man who is known for moving around a lot would want to settle down with her.
And she's the one thing I can't afford lose
My woman is the most important thing in my life and I cannot imagine losing her.
She's proud to be my woman and that's why I'm proud to be her man
She loves and respects me as her man, and I am honored and privileged to be able to call her my woman.
Contributed by Sarah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Clinton Heath
This song reminds me of how I feel about my beautiful wife. There's nothing I wouldnt give or do for that women. Shes my best friend, the one who always has my back, not to mention the best mother anyone has seen. I'm also proud to say my daughter looks just like her mama :)
Branden Heath
I saw Cody Johnson for the first time in Greeley
He puts on a hell of a show and he’s keeping real country music alive
Mary Clark
Love this song! :-D There's just something' about good 'ol Texas Red Dirt bands and their songs. Their words are my life every. single. day. Thank you so much for posting this!! :-D
Sarah Moore
Man I thought Brantley Gilbert was the only one that floated my boat! lol. But I absolutely love Cody Johnson!!!
Kal Barnett
Ugh man you are wrong
Adam Hearon
Sarah Moore shoot you should try Cody jinks Randy Rodgers band turnpike troubadours William Clark green pretty much all the Texas music people are great. They sing bout real stuff not just drivin thier brand new truck to some party
Kal Barnett
Sarah Moore
Diana Kennedy
my amazing fiance sent this to me this morning! I love it!!
IGY6Brah
dedicated this song to my wife a while back. still listening to it daily
S
i saw Cody Johnson for the first time recently n this guy puts on a damn show!!! i thought Justin moore was badass when i saw him but Cody Johnson put on the best show I've seen!!