Country singer Cody Johnson is in the middle of his Leather Tour but made a pit stop to perform his single “‘Til You Can’t” on the “American Idol” finale alongside Season 7 (Season 22 overall) finalist and aspiring country artist Triston Harper.
Ever the mentor, Johnson vowed to help the 15-year-old Harper in any way he can. “I love American Idol and I appreciate the honor, but I wasn’t here for them, I was here for Triston,” Johnson tells TVMusic Network. “
“I feel like Triston came from a background that was pretty hard to come back from. I grew up in a little town (Sebastopol, Texas) where you kind of had a few options. Some of it was going to prison or just staying stuck there. I made the choice of ‘I’m going to go out there and grab life by the horns and make something of myself.’ Before we went on, I had an opportunity to talk to Triston for a minute…I didn’t know he was 15 by the way. I said ‘young man, here’s my phone number. If you ever have any questions about this industry, record deals, people, management, call me. I’d be proud to mentor you.’ I feel like he is a one of the greatest talents… I’m my opinion he sounds a little bit like Charley Pride… I told him don’t let this competition define you, be who you want to be in this life. I don’t care what career you go into. “
Johnson had the chance to briefly meet Pride’s family at the AMA Awards, something he treasured as Pride was an influence in his music.
Performing on live television can get nerve racking for even the most seasoned artist, including the awards show staple. “Right before I went on, [stage at ‘American Idol’], I pulled my cord out of my [in-ear monitor] so I only had one ear and I thought “Oh, it’s just national television. No big deal,” he laughs.
Johnson’s success continues. “Til You Can’t” took home Best Country Song award at the 2023 Grammys, not bad for an artist who released his early music without label support. “Leather came out this year and completely changed my life,” Johnson said. “I’ve had a #1 hit off of it and will probably have a few more. Thank You, Jesus.” The deluxe edition of the album is out in November featuring 13 more songs.
The Leather tour will take Johnson around the world, to Canada, Brazil, UK and Australia this time as a headliner.
One thing he has to have with him on tour is his right-hand man, Noah Quintanilla. “No matter where I go that man has been with me for almost 15 years,” Johnson said. “My wife [Brandi] and I have been together for almost 15 years, so I feel like I have two people in my life that truly understands what I think before I’m thinking it and how I’m actually feeling, not as Cody Johnson, as just Cody.”
Here are some of the upcoming tour dates:
May 31, 2024: New Orleans, LA at Smoothie King Center (SOLD OUT) with special guests Chris Janson and Drake Milligan
Jun 1, 2024: Panama City Beach, FL at Gulf Coast Jam
Jun 5, 2024: Nashville, TN at The Grand Ole Opry with special guest Jelly Roll and more
Jun 7, 2024: Nashville, TN at Nissan Stadium (CMA Fest)
Jun 13, 2024: Bloomington, IL at Tailgate N’ Tallboys
Jun 14, 2024: N. Lawrence, OH at The Country Fest
Jun 28, 2024: Bristol, TN at Country Thunder Bristol
Jun 29, 2024: Kennesaw, GA at Fifth Third Stadium with special guests Easton Corbin, Sammy Kershaw, and Jesse Raub JR And many more dates throughout the year.
For the full list of tour dates, venues, special guests, and ticket information, you can visit Cody Johnson’s official website at: Cody Johnson Official
