I was so excited to write this article and to continue to help with getting the word out about Cody that I literally started writing it the minute I got home from the airport on Sunday night, Monday morning. Well, at least after doing a quick, half-assed job of unpacking from the long weekend in Nashville. This show, that night, meant more to me than words could possibly describe. I was one of just a few photographers in the photo pit that night, and I was there representing the only out of state publication that was granted media approval for this show. I actually had a moment in that photo pit waiting for Cody and the boys to come on where I stopped and looked out at the crowd and thought ‘Holy shit, this is Cody’s largest venue to date in the Nashville area, it’s sold-out, and here I am getting this amazing opportunity and witnessing such a huge moment in Cody’s life. Yeah, I had the watery eyes thing happening for a few seconds, but I sucked it up and went off to do what I needed to do. That night meant so much to me, not only as someone who has been promoting and rooting for this guy the last four or five years, but as someone who has met him and really got see what a worthy, down to earth, talented, and appreciative guy he is. Not only him, but his band, crew, family, and everyone else that is part of his team in one way or another. They see what I see in Cody, and they are all a huge part of why he is where he is now and why he will continue to dominate. Here is how the evening went.

I didn’t get to catch the first act that night. Between weather that delayed the show and not knowing the event grounds layout and where to go for entry and credentials it just did not happen. Shout out to Drew Parker for being asked to open the show. I heard he did an excellent job, and it sounds like Cody’s team picked another good artist to kick things off. What a fantastic opportunity for this guy to open the show that night, especially in the Nashville metro area.

Easton Corbin was next, but we had some time to waste before I had to be down in the pit to shoot the first three songs. We walked around the property and really got a good look at this beautiful new venue that opened its doors in August of 2021. Seriously one of the nicest and most beautiful venues that I have ever been to. It was like a smaller version of Red Rocks Amphitheater out in Colorado. The staff was great, both friendly and knowledgeable, the sound was incredible, and the scenery was just breathtaking. Job well done to whoever designed this place. Easton took the stage, and the crowd was absolutely ready for some more live music. As the band went through the songs that night, you realize just how many popular songs he has and how many had charted top fifteen or better on country radio. Easton and the guys, and gal, were having a great time up there on stage and he is another artist that really gets the crowd into his performance and feeds off of that energy. I have been to a lot of shows where if it’s not the headline act, the seats are half empty. That was not the case tonight. The majority of people in attendance were in their seats and were into what Easton Corbin and the band were putting out there. This was my second time seeing him and he definitely gets better every time.

A short break to go grab a last drink, do my usual talking to random fans in attendance to get their thoughts on the venue, gauge their excitement for the show, and it was time for Cody Johnson. This show was a little different, at least for me. I was so happy to be a part of this moment for Cody. Largest headline show to date in the Nashville area, sold-out months in advance, and being a guy from Detroit that gets to witness all this, grab some pictures from the photo pit and put it all down in words. Cody and the band took the stage and the audience erupted so loudly that you would have thought it was announced that someone invented a cure for cancer or was giving everyone in attendance a million dollars

. I spent the first three songs shooting photos, but I also took little ten second breaks to watch the crowd and witness the magic of what seeing Cody and the boys live does to people. Everyone there was so fired up and honestly, I was feeling exactly the same. So many great songs, so much energy and excitement being thrown out by the band and the chemistry that the ‘Rockin’ CJB’ has was more obvious than ever. These guys love playing music, and they love playing music with Cody Johnson at the helm. This was my fifth time seeing Cody live and it just never gets old. I had goosebumps so many times throughout the night as the crowd sang loudly to almost every song that was played whether it was ‘Long Haired Country Boy’, ‘Dear Rodeo’, ‘On My Way to You’ or his recent number one hit ‘Til You Can’t’. It was so emotional for me to see this guy finally get what he deserves and play this sold-out Nashville area show. At one point in the show Cody was talking about the world and the way it has been lately, and it really hit home to many of us when he said “I don’t care if you are white, black, brown or whatever. The only colors I care about are red, white, and blue”. That my friends is how every person who lives in this country should feel and it made me so proud to hear him say that to the seven thousand plus who were at the show that night

Another incredible performance from Cody Johnson and the boys, another amazing concert experience, and another unforgettable time for me in Nashville, TN. Thanks to Cody for always putting on the best show possible and giving it one hundred percent and thanks as always to Jessie Schmidt for always taking care of us here at Full Access Detroit. I look forward to many more years of covering Cody Johnson, watching him continue to grow and gain even more popularity and to helping the team make sure Cody becomes the next country music legend. I am already looking forward to the next show but until then, I will leave you with this. If you got a chance, take it, take it while you got a chance. If you got a dream, chase it, ‘cause a dream won’t chase you back. Wise words, especially in a world that has gone through so much over the last few years. #CojoNation