Cody Johnson (May 21, 1987 – present) is a country singer-songwriter from Huntsville, Texas. Born in Sebastopol, Texas, he’s played country music since he was 12. He followed his father and became a prison guard in Huntsville while playing honky tonks on the weekends. It was the prison governor or warden who suggested Johnson take up music full-time. That was in 2006, and since then he’s released six albums. Each has sold better than the last, with his 2016 release, Gotta Be Me, selling in the top five country albums. He’s done all that while remaining independent; he publishes his music under his CoJo label.

Johnson has developed a loyal fan base, growing every year. He named George Strait, Garth Brooks, Chris LeDoux, and Merle Haggard as his influencers.