Cody Johnson is speaking out about honoring Alan Jackson. Johnson performed as part of Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale, Jackson’s final headlining show of his career.

Johnson sang “Job Description” in tribute to the Country Music Hall of Fame member.

“If it weren’t for Alan Jackson, I probably never would have recorded a music video, ever,” Johnson said ahead of his performance. “This song, so many times, has been the story of my life, and it’s why I chose the song we’re about to sing. When I looked at the list of songs to choose from, this was the one that I remember being a kid, and dreaming, wishing I could live these lyrics. And I did. Sometimes it wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

“Job Description” is on Who I Am, Jackson’s fifth studio album. Jackson is the only writer of “Job Description.”

 

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What Cody Johnson Says About Alan Jackson Retiring

Jackson is retiring due to Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, a neurological disorder that affects his mobility. Jackson announced the illness in 2021, although he had been diagnosed several years earlier. The reason for his decision to step away is especially heartbreaking, Johnson says.

“I think that if Alan were able to not retire, he wouldn’t,” Johnson said backstage. “And unfortunately, it’s the cards he’s dealt with his health, and all we can do is honor him and be here tonight to celebrate his career. But for as far as life, I feel like he’s fixing to live the best part of his life to get to go home. You know, I’m 39 years old, and don’t think that I haven’t looked at what retirement looks like right now, next year, the fifth year, the tenth year, because I want to be financially prepared. I want to be emotionally prepared. But if I can play till I’m 90 years old, I’ll play till I’m 90 years old.”

Cody Johnson Praises Alan Jackson

Jackson wrote a lot of his own hits, including many he wrote by himself. Still, Jackson also recorded songs written by other people, something that Johnson notices and appreciates.

“Alan is one of the most prolific songwriters of his time, but he was not afraid to cut outside songs, either,” Johnson praises. “I remember the very first song I cut. that I didn’t write was called ‘Ride With Me.’ It was written by Zane Williams. And it felt like I’d put on a shirt that didn’t fit at first. I was so scared that I’m not writing my own music, and people are gonna look at me differently. And then I started realizing, Alan Jackson, George Strait, even Willie Nelson, they would cut stuff that wasn’t theirs.

“I started looking at all these huge careers that were built on songwriters that were also very great vocalists, but cut outside songs also,” he adds. “And then you look at the music videos that Alan Jackson has done. Alan, maybe besides Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson’s the only reason I’ve ever cut a music video.”