Cody Johnson: Get to know the award-winning country hitmaker
He won at the CMAs 2025!
Last updated 27th Nov 2025
We are big fans of Cody Johnson here at Rayo, especially after his C2C debut in 2025 — as a headliner, no less. Cody, who is well known for his hits 'Til You Can't', 'The Painter' and 'On My Way to You', took home a massive gong at the CMAs 2025, and his fans are absolutely thrilled for him.
Join us as we get to know country singer Cody Johnson a bit better - from his rise to fame, his epic albums and where to catch him live next.
Who is Cody Johnson?
Cody Johnson is an American country music singer-songwriter.
When was he born?
Cody was born on 21st May 1987, making him currently 38-years-old.
Cody Johnson’s early life
Johnson was raised by his parents in Sebastool, Texas in the US, with his passion for music sprouting at a young age. Johnson first began playing music at 12-years-old, having being taught by his father, who also performed in their local church.
Alongside his father he learnt how to sing, play several instruments and how to read music in their church. During this time, he began to perform at school and bars while also partaking in professional bull riding at local rodeos.
At the age of 19, Cody worked with his father within the local prison system and it was one of his colleagues there that convinced him to pursue his music career.
In 2006, Johnson formed a band with his dad and other members where they recorded an album ‘Black and White Label’. They released their first professionally produced album ‘Six Strings One Dream’ in 2009, with three singles reaching the Top 10 of the Texas music charts.
He won the 2011 Texas Regional Music Award for New Male Vocalist of the Year which gave him the confidence to leave his job in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to focus on his music career.
Growing career and success
His fifth album, 'Cowboy Like Me', was released in 2014, selling 8,000 copies in its first week of release. The album debuted at Number 25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and Number 33 on the Billboard 200.
His most successful album to date, 'Gotta Be Me', was released in August 2016, debuting at Number 11 on the Billboard 200 and Number 2 on the Top Country Albums chart.
His seventh album, 'Ain’t Nothin’ to It', was released in 2019 which included the single ‘On My Way to You’, which was his first Top 40 hit on Country Airplay.
Cody collaborated with Brooks & Dunn on a remastered version of their hit song ‘Red Dirt Road’, which appeared on the duo's 11th studio album 'Reboot'. His most recent album, released in November 2023, was entitled 'Leather' and peaked at Number 5 on the US Billboard Top Country Albums.
He kickstarted 2025 in style, headlining the Country To Country festival alongside Nate Smith, Shaboozey, Avery Anna and The Castellows. Two months later, he performed at the prestigious ACM Awards with Brooks & Dunn in a line-up that also included Lainey Wilson, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert among many others.
Cody also took home a major win at The Country Music Association Awards 2025. He was up for Entertainer of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Musical Event of the Year for 'I'm Gonna Love You' ft. Carrie Underwood AND Male Vocalist of the Year - taking home the latter.
Check out the incredible country tours and festivals coming to the UK:
Max Mcnown - December
24-year-old Max Mcnown has risen to fame in the last few years, following the release of his 2023 single 'A Lot More Free'. So much so, he's added additional dates to his December tour, due to unprecedented demand. Max is now set to perform on the 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th December, visiting Glasgow, Manchester and London.
Buy tickets here!
Drew Baldridge - December
Drew Baldridge will be going on tour in December, performing four gigs in the UK, in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and London, starting on Friday 5th December.
Drew's song 'She's Somebody's Daughter' helped him make history. This debut song became the first self-released debut song to reach Number 1 in the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart.
Here You Come Again (musical) - 2026
If you can't catch the iconic Dolly Parton live in person - then why not treat yourself to the next best thing? That's right, for the first time ever, all of the legendary country singer's biggest and best hits were experienced in the new 'rollicking and joyous' musical comedy Here You Come Again! After an incredible run in 2024 and 2025 - which saw the show feature hits such as 'Jolene' and 'Islands In The Stream' - the musical is continuing into 2026.
Buy tickets here!
Nashville in Concert - February 2026
The stars of Nashville will be returning to the UK for a 2026 tour - two years after they were last on tour! Starting in Newcastle on 6th February, and travelling through Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, London, Cardiff and finally Bournemouth on 15th. 'The Encore Tour' will see stars Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson and Sam Palladio, performing songs from the hit TV show, along with some of their own original material.
Buy tickets here
Tyler Childers - March 2026
Tyler Childers, the singer behind the new album 'Snipe Hunter', has announced that he will be coming to the UK, as part of his 'On the Road Tour'. The newly announced shows will bring the acclaimed singer-songwriter to some huge venues, including Glasgow's OVO Hydro and Manchester's AO Arena in March 2026.
Kezia Gill - February 2026
Kezia Gill is set to head on her 'All On Red Tour' in February 2026, kicking off in Leeds on Tuesday 17th. She'll be joined by special guest Alyssa Bonagura as she visits Glasgow, Newcastle, Nottingham, Manchester, Norwich, London, Exeter and Portsmouth. She'll then conclude the tour in Bristol on Sunday 1st March.
Buy tickets here!
Jordan Davis - February/March 2026
In August 2025, Jordan announced he would be coming to the UK as part of his 'Ain't Enough Road Tour'. He will be performing across Europe, including Manchester, London, Glasgow and Birmingham.
C2C Country To Country - March 2026
Following another hugely successful year in 2025, C2C Country To Country will return in 2026, over the weekend of 13th-15th March, with headliners Zach Top, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn. Also performing will be Scotty McCreery, Russell Dickerson, Drake Milligan and more.
C2C will take place at London The O2, Glasgow OVO Hydro and Belfast SSE Arena.
Buy tickets here!
Tucker Wetmore - April 2026
Tucker Wetmore will be gracing the UK with FOUR tour dates in April 2026, performing in Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and London. The singer, best known for 'Wine Into Whiskey', 'Wind Up Missin' You' and '3, 2, 1', released his debut album 'What Not To' in April 2025 - which peaked at Number 4 on the US Country charts. He also performed at the incredible Country 2 Country Festival in March 2025, sharing the bill with the likes of Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley and Cody Johnson.
Highways Festival - May 2026
Highways Festival will return to the Royal Albert Hall in May 2026, with a huge line-up on the bill. Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce and Emmylou Harris will headline, joined by Corey Kent, Kaitlin Butts and more from 15th-17th May.
Buy tickets here from 28th November
Garth Brooks 2026 - June 2026
Performing in the UK for the first time in three decades, country star Garth Brooks will headline BST Hyde Park in the summer. Known for putting on huge productions, Garth will take to the iconic stage on 27th June 2026, supported by soulful country singer Ashley McBryde and Zac Brown Band.
Buy tickets here!
Zach Bryan - June 2026
Zach Bryan will bring 'With Heaven On Tour' on to UK for four dates next summer. From Friday 12th June, he'll begin the UK leg in Liverpool, before heading through Edinburgh and London, concluding on Wednesday 17th June. He'll be supported by Dijon and Fey Fili.
Buy tickets here from 5th December
StateFayre - June 2026
A brand new festival celebrating Americana, rock and barbecue will come to Chelmsford in the summer. Headlined by Kings of Leon, Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts and The Lumineers, the festival will also feature Max McNown, The Black Crowes, Kingfishr, Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, Counting Crows, Amble, Dylan Gossett, Sierra Ferrell and more.
Buy tickets here from 28th November
Luke Combs - July/August 2026
Luke Combs will bring his 'My Kinda Saturday Night Tour' to the UK in the summer of 2026, visiting London and Edinburgh for a total of five dates between 24th July and 2nd August. He'll be joined by special guests Thomas Rhett, Ty Myers and The Castellows in Wembley, and The Teskey Brothers, Ty Myers and The Castellows in Edinburgh.
The Long Road Festival 2026 - August
August Bank Holiday 2026 will see the return of the three-day The Long Road Festival - celebrating the music, lifestyle and influences of Country! From Friday 28th - Sunday 30th August 2026, the festival returns to Stanford Hall estate in Leicestershire with a range of incredible artists across the five stages. The first headliner has been announced as Bailey Zimmerman, who will be taking to the stage on the Saturday night.
Buy tickets here!
Brothers Osborne - December 2026
Brothers Osborne will support The Darkness on their December 2026 UK tour, visiting seven arenas. From Tuesday 8th, they'll head to Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Brighton and London, concluding on 16th.
Buy tickets here from 28th November
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