Cody Johnson has crossed a lot of items off of his bucket list, but maybe none as significant as getting to sit down and talk with one of his biggest musical heroes. Earlier this year, Johnson spent some time with George Strait, at a show in South Carolina, where Johnson was opening for the King of Country Music.

“I got to go sit on the bus with George, and have a 30 minute conversation about nothing,” Johnson recalls to his record label. “Really, we talked about golf. We talked about cattle, and being from Texas. And to hear George Strait say to me, ‘Son, you’re doing it the right way. Don’t change anything you’re doing here. You’re doing it the right way, and man, I’m proud of you. And you’re representing Texas; you’re representing country music well. You’re representing cowboys well,’ it just meant the world to me.”

Cody Johnson Breaks George Strait’s Record

Earlier this year, Johnson broke Strait’s attendance record at NRG Stadium during RodeoHouston. Johnson shared that with Strait, who hinted that Johnson shouldn’t get too comfortable with that title.

“So, I mentioned to him that, ‘Well, you know, I broke your record at Houston,’ and he didn’t know,” Johnson recalls. “He said, ‘Do what?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I busted your record at Houston Rodeo at NRG Stadium.’ He said, ‘Well, I guess I’ll have to come back eventually and kick your a–.’ And I said, ‘I hope you do because I want to watch because that gives me a reason to come back.’ So it’s been a pretty good year so far.”

Cody Johnson’s Latest ‘Banks of the Trinity’ Album

Johnson released his Banks of the Trinity album earlier this year. The record includes his current Top 25 single, “Horseback,” plus “Thank Somebody Country,” “Fool Proof” with Brothers Osborne, “Shoot the Bull” with Luke Combs, and more.

“The album, I really didn’t have a title for my new album, until I heard the song ‘Banks Of The Trinity,’” Johnson tells the Country Music Association. “And I went, ‘Oh, that’s it.’  I can paint a visual picture on this piece of work, from the vinyls to the CDs to the t-shirts, the hats, that’s a little bit different than, ‘Hey look, it’s Cody Johnson on a horse!’ That’s what I live every day, but the song, ‘Banks Of The Trinity’ really took me back to a piece of my childhood.”

Cody Johnson’s Headlining Tour

Johnson is happily on tour this year, after taking some time off at the end of 2025, due to a burst eardrum, which required emergency surgery. With that now in the past, the 39-year-old is back to doing what he loves best: performing in front of his fans.

“We went pretty simple this year for my tour,” Johnson says. “It’s just Cody Johnson Live ’26. … This year’s been different because I had the three months off last year with my busted eardrum. There was this huge anticipation from my band, my crew, everybody involved, and the fans, ready to come back. … And so, we’ve had some really momentous occasions this year.

“Set the record at NRG Stadium in Houston, got to headline Stagecoach for the first time, got to open up for George Strait, had the ACM Awards,” he adds. “We’ve got a bunch of great shows coming up that I’m excited about. CMAs at the end of the year. I just feel like the tide is really strong, and we’re just trying to ride it.”