Only out for three months, “The Painter” is quickly becoming a signature song for Cody Johnson, and he tells PEOPLE he knew it was special from the moment he first heard it.
It was written by Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins, and the song was presented to Johnson by one of his employees as “a bit artistic,” the 36-year-old Texan recalls. But after hearing the demo, Johnson shot back, “I was going, man, that’s not artistic. It’s just a good love song!”
Cody and Brandi Johnson at the CMA Awards on November 8, 2023 in Nashville.
Jason Davis/WireImage
In an interview on the CMA red carpet, Johnson told PEOPLE that he immediately thought of Brandi, his wife of 14 years, when he listened to the lyrics, particularly identifying with the line: “For every wall that I built, she saw a canvas .”
“I’ve tried a lot in my life unintentionally – and intentionally – to build walls around myself because sometimes I’m a stubborn cowboy,” he admitted. “And she saw the potential. She saw the growth. She saw an opportunity. She saw me before I saw me. And I wouldn’t be here without her.”
The song, he said, “was a great way for me to pay tribute to a real unsung hero.”
That honor received a national audience at Wednesday night’s CMA Awards when the two-time Male Vocalist of the Year nominee performed the song with Brandi in the front row and her art on a colossal screen behind him.
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Cody Johnson performs at the CMA Awards on November 8, 2023 in Nashville.
Astrid Valigorsky/WireImage
Johnson said the reaction to the song always amazed him. On the day it was released, he said, he was shocked when the audience sang the song to him at a show in Australia.
“I’ll be honest,” he said. “Afterwards, I kind of broke down and started crying.”
Cody Johnson says ‘Til You Can’t’ changed his life: ‘It gave me a new perspective’
Johnson has since experienced similar reactions from audiences in ways he can’t even compare to “Til You Can’t,” his 2021 hit.
“’Til You Can’t’ was the song that changed my life,” he said, “but ‘The Painter’ has already changed a lot of things career-wise, and it hasn’t even gone to number one – yet. ”
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Cody Johnson performs at the CMA Awards on November 8, 2023 in Nashville.
Astrid Valigorsky/WireImage
“The Painter” is the lead single from Johnson’s just-released album, Skinand the artist was clearly excited to introduce fans to new music even as his current tour wraps up for the holiday break.
“We only have a few shows during the rest of the year,” he said. “Next year we will play fewer concerts than this year.” It’s a fact that reflects Johnson’s growing popularity, and he’s clearly happy about the benefits: “Bigger places, more people, more free time – and that’s imperative.”
Country star Cody Johnson switches focus for cows in search of balance and inspiration
Without a doubt, life on the family ranch, located near the city of Huntsville in southeast Texas, is a priority for Johnson. He proudly pointed out that his album cover featured a photo of his hand after spending the day tending his flock.
“We treated about 40 head of cattle and branded and castrated the calves and put ear tags on them,” he said, “and my hands were full of blood and saliva and things that rhyme with saliva, and that’s what a working day looks like at home Kao. ”
He also reported that his daughters, Clara Mae, 8, and Cori, 6, are now deer hunting with their dad.
“Clara got her first buck and Cori got her first doe,” Johnson said proudly. “And it’s really fun. It’s a great concept to teach them about how hard it is to go hunting, how to clean a deer, get the meat. Now we’re going to take that meat to your Aunt Mary’s house and fill her freezer. We’ll take it to your grandparents’ house and fill their freezer. You provide food for our family. And it’s so much fun.”
Both girls also play sports, including softball, volleyball and gymnastics. Johnson admitted that sometimes it’s hard to enjoy watching their activities without being recognized: “I try to get in as soon as the game starts and get out so I don’t have to sign autographs while my kid is playing.”
Has he ever trained? “Yeah, I coached a little bit of softball,” he said. “Softball is easier on the field,” adding with a laugh, “No one can reach you.”
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Source: HIS Education