Podcast Summary: "A Lot Of Grit And A Little Bit Of Crazy With Cody Johnson"

On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer
Country Thunder | Pod People
Release Date: November 13, 2025
Guest: Cody Johnson
Host: Troy Vollhoffer

Episode Overview

In this episode, Troy Vollhoffer welcomes country music star Cody Johnson ("Kojo") aboard the bus for a candid, high-spirited chat. The conversation dives into Cody’s meteoric 2025, his rodeo and bull-riding roots, life changes ahead of his new child, the grit it takes to succeed, the authenticity in his music and performance, and their shared obsession with watches and remodeling woes. With anecdotes from both the music and rodeo arenas, listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at what drives “Kojo” and how he keeps it real, both on and off the stage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 2025: A Banner Year and Major Life Changes

• New Album and Touring

  • Cody is coming off an Album of the Year win and in the midst of finishing new music. He’s touring across North America and making plans for 2026 to welcome his new son ([01:42]-[02:12]).
  • Quote: “Trying to prepare for 2026 because my wife is due with our little boy… I think it’s okay to take a little time for yourself.” — Cody Johnson [01:46]

• Juggling Family and Career

  • Cody’s shutting things down temporarily, balancing music, a house remodel, and family time ([01:59]-[02:15]).

2. Rodeo Roots & Transition to Music

• Bull Riding Background

  • Not raised on a ranch, Cody pursued bull riding in high school out of drive and affordability, even though his family tradition was working at the prison ([05:56]-[06:38]).
  • Quote: “You pay a hundred bucks and you get to get on a bull… And I was just crazy and tough enough to do it.” — Cody Johnson [06:38]
  • Rodeoing and music careers overlapped; eventually, music provided a living, but he still relishes his ranch life ([06:38]-[07:36]).

• Current Ranch Life

  • He describes a “double life” — from arena star to rancher with 20+ horses, three pastures full of cows, and organizing his own roping events ([06:39]-[08:10]).
  • Quote: “Literally getting home from being the rock star and going right back in the crowd. Yeah, I’m going to work. This is the fun stuff.” — Cody Johnson [07:35]

3. The Grit Required for Music & Rodeo

• “A Lot of Grit and a Little Bit of Crazy”

  • Both Cody and Troy reflect on sacrifice, hustle, setbacks, and the drive to “jump out of the plane and hope the chute works” ([10:14]-[11:23]).
  • Quote: “If you’re not willing to make that sacrifice… then just go sign the dotted line… I’ve known people that have done that and… They’re like: I wish I’d done it your way.” — Cody Johnson [10:41]

• The Live Show: Authenticity & No Tracks

  • Cody emphasizes that his shows are unrehearsed, mostly spontaneous, and come from the heart—relying on connection with the crowd ([11:29]-[12:30])
  • Memorable Moment: Cody recounts a night when he left the stage mid-solo, the band improvised a drum solo, and it became part of the show’s magic ([12:05]).

4. Reflections on Paying Dues

• Grassroots Beginnings

  • Playing honky tonks, dance halls, clubs, then theaters, then arenas—Cody describes learning to win over every room, from 10 people to stadiums ([13:38]-[13:59]).
  • Quote: “Every night it does. Every night… I scan this place the entire night and talk to each person even if I’m really not… go play in dive bars and you’ll figure it out.” — Cody Johnson [12:46]-[13:18]

• Industry Changes and Authenticity

  • Discussion about the TikTok-driven rise of new artists who haven’t learned the ropes live. Cody draws a clear line: “It either has authenticity or it doesn’t. If you don’t do it, it’ll do you.” ([14:31]-[14:35])

5. Creating Authentic Country Music

• Collaborative Studio Ethos

  • Contrasts Nashville “cookie-cutter” sessions to his collaborative, creative approach in the studio, always with producer Trent Willman since day one ([15:11]-[15:40]).
  • Quote: “When you listen to my album, it was created there in the studio. Then you hand it to my band and we create it again on stage… It has an organic authenticity…” — Cody Johnson [15:28]

• Trent Willman Connection

  • Anecdotes about the early careers of Trent Willman, insight into his satisfaction producing and his pivotal role in Cody’s path ([15:41]-[17:36]).

6. Looking Forward: Family, Touring, and New Ventures

• 2026 Plans

  • Cody is prepping for 5-6 stadium shows, new music, and various business ventures—including his own clothing line with Wrangler ([17:45]-[18:12]).
  • Quote: “I wanted to do this now so that whenever it is the first year of my son, I [can] be home with my wife and daughters and him and have this big hit record that comes out.” — Cody Johnson [17:55]

• Country Thunder and Bull Riding

  • Troy announces that every Country Thunder in 2026 will feature a bull riding event, inspired by Cody’s story ([19:00]-[19:30]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Grit & Ambition:
  “It takes a lot of grit. It does take a little bit of crazy. Definitely. You have to be adventurous.” — Troy Vollhoffer [11:04]

• On Doing It His Way:
  “If you’re not willing to make that sacrifice… then just go sign the dotted line… I’ve known people that have done that and… They’re like: I wish I’d done it your way.” — Cody Johnson [10:41]

• On Stage Authenticity:
  “98% of what you see on stage is stuff that just happens… And sometimes I’ll do it a completely different way.” — Cody Johnson [11:29]

• On Building a Career:
  “Honky tonks lead to dance halls. Dance halls lead to clubs, clubs lead to theaters, and then theaters lead to… arenas, stadiums, or the festivals or whatever.” — Cody Johnson [13:38]

• On Animals and Rodeo:
  “The animals that we ride and that we rope are taken care of better than some people in America… They are the rock stars.” — Cody Johnson [09:14]-[09:36]

Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic/Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:36 | Intro – Cody Johnson joins, 2025 highlights | | 01:46 | Balancing career, family, and prepping for new baby | | 02:40 | Cody’s background: bull riding, rodeo, and rural upbringing | | 05:56 | Transition from rodeo/bull riding to music, ranch lifestyle | | 06:39 | Building a ranch, running events, double life as rancher/star | | 08:32 | Outfitting Troy, Cody’s Wrangler line, & rodeo’s recognition | | 09:51 | Discovering music, betting on himself, no backup plan | | 10:42 | Grit, risk, and sacrifice to “make it” | | 11:29 | Authenticity on stage & spontaneous performances | | 12:46 | Playing for 10 to 75,000; eye contact with every fan | | 13:38 | “Paying dues”: the bar-to-arena journey | | 14:31 | Authenticity vs. TikTok/fake it-til-you-make-it | | 15:11 | Collaborative, organic recording process | | 15:41 | Partnership with producer Trent Willman | | 17:45 | 2026 plans: family, music, business, and touring | | 19:00 | Bull riding announced for 2026 Country Thunder |

Final Thoughts & Tone

The episode is relaxed, candid, and humorous, with both Cody and Troy sharing real talk on the demanding, rewarding, and sometimes crazy world of country music and rodeo. Cody’s grounded philosophy and authenticity shine, as does his pride in staying true to his sound, band, and roots. Troy’s respect is evident, and their rapport gives fans a feeling of being "on the bus" right alongside them.

For listeners: If you want to understand what makes Cody Johnson one of country’s most compelling live acts and personalities—a blend of “a lot of grit and a little bit of crazy”—this episode delivers a genuine portrait.

For more:

• Catch Cody Johnson’s tour dates at codyjohnsonmusic.com
• Check out the new single “The Fall”
• Look for Cody’s clothing line through Wrangler
• Watch for bull riding at every 2026 Country Thunder event