Randy Travis Surprises Cody Jinks on Stage in Oklahoma
Just like any modern day country performer worth their salt, Cody Jinks from Ft. Worth, TX regularly pays tribute to Country Music Hall of Famer Randy Travis in concert, specifically including Randy’s 1986 #1 “Diggin’ Up Bones” in his set lists, and usually preceding it or following it up with some kind words for the country legend.
Cody Jinks has been doing this for years, but the moment became extra special on Friday night, January 25th at Heritage Hall in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Shortly after Jinks performed “Diggin’ Up Bones,” Randy Travis himself surprised Cody Jinks by coming out on stage. Accompanied by his wife Mary Davis, Randy personally thanked Cody Jinks as Jinks humbly took his hat off and the crowd began to chant in unison, “Randy! Randy! Randy!”
Then Mary Davis told the assembled crowd,“[Remember] when George Jones said, ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?’ He said Randy Travis. And I just want to tell you tonight, when people ask us who is gonna fill Randy Travis’s shoes, [it’s] Cody Jinks.”
We know Randy listens to Cody Jinks, because Travis regularly features Cody on his Diggin’ Up Songs playlist on Spotify. Cody’s “Hippies and Cowboys” has been featured on the playlist in the past, and “Somewhere Between I Love You and I’m Leaving” is currently on the playlist.
“I’m just glad I didn’t screw the song up with him sitting right there,” Cody Jinks said, and later added about the moment, “When I was a kid, there were three artist I wanted to sing like. One of them was Merle Haggard. One of them was Keith Whitley. And the other was Randy Travis!”
Cody Jinks is one of multiple independently-minded country artists re-writing the script on what is possible for a performer without mainstream radio support. His Rounder Records debut Lifers released in 2018 went #2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, and Cody regularly sells out venues across the country.
Randy Travis currently lives just outside of Tioga, TX on his Chrysalis Ranch, which is about an hour from Ardmore, Oklahoma.
Tex Hex
January 29, 2019 @ 8:47 am
Probably a common sentiment, but the first time I ever heard Cody’s voice I immediately thought it sounded pretty close to Randy’s. Not an imitation (you can’t imitate that voice), just a natural gift.
Luckyoldsun
January 29, 2019 @ 12:31 pm
And Randy sounded a lot like Lefty. (Though to be honest, I first heard Lefty after I already knew Randy’s music. It was sort of an “Oh, so THAT’S where he got that from.)
scott
January 29, 2019 @ 9:10 am
Jeez, that had to have been a big thrill for Cody. While watching the clip, I was chopping onions, I swear. Those weren’t tears, it was the onions.
albert
January 29, 2019 @ 11:50 am
Onions …of course …..that’s what it must be ….
A.K.A. City
January 29, 2019 @ 9:15 am
What a great moment.
Throwback Country
January 29, 2019 @ 10:02 am
Cody Johnson is having his “breakthrough” moment right now, which is long overdue.
Cody Jinks is next.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
January 29, 2019 @ 10:39 am
If he can channel the Cody Jinks of the “I’m Not the Devil” era on his next album, you may be right. Time will tell.
Head Case
January 29, 2019 @ 1:19 pm
I’m thinking that if Jinks hasn’t already has a “breakthrough moment” with all of the music that he has put out, then it’s probably not gonna happen. But that just means that mainstream radio won’t accept him and he won’t win any awards. He has a huge following and he’s done it all on his own and i think he is happy with that. At this point I don’t think he cares.
Tex Hex
January 29, 2019 @ 1:58 pm
Highly doubtful he’ll ever have a big commercial crossover moment at this point in his career, but he’s established his own personal cottage industry already. He’s got a great following, his own music festival, and some product endorsements etc. I think he’s gonna occupy that space comfortably for the rest of his life, and I’m gonna guess he’s perfectly fine with that.
Stacy K Espinosa
January 29, 2019 @ 10:33 am
This was an amazing and EPIC night! Being there was a complete honor! Seeing Cody actually crying just shows what a true and humble artist he is!
Blockman
January 29, 2019 @ 10:44 am
I can hear Randy singing ‘somewhere between…’ cool story I wish Randy could sing again.
Robin Johnson-Miller
January 29, 2019 @ 11:02 am
Cody Jinks’ voice is mesmerizing and his musical influences are apparent in his sound and a keen ear can hear Travis, Whitley, Haggard …distinctly, as well as collaboratively. Cody Jinks is BOSS and what an inspiration to have the privilege of hearing and seeing this epic artist in action, breathing new life and hope in a country music industry that has lost it’s way AND traditional values & sound with the cookie cutter puppetry “acts” corrupting and polluting the radio airways. CODY JINKS is proof,, REAL COUNTRY MUSIC is still ALIVE! I was at the show in Ardmore, OK. My 6th Jinks show in 2 years. Cant get enough of it! FLOCK ON!
Benny Lee
January 29, 2019 @ 1:40 pm
What a moment.
Cody’s obvious, humble reverence was my favorite part.
It was also really cool to see a transcendent legend paying it forward with no strings attached.
Benny Lee
January 29, 2019 @ 1:41 pm
But would somebody please put away the dang onions!!!!
scott
January 30, 2019 @ 6:12 am
Weird we were prepping onions at the same time…
For the Birds
January 29, 2019 @ 1:45 pm
I’m totally in love with Head Case, but can’t get into the rest of Lifers. Any of you Jinksaholics have recommendations for other songs I should check out?
Head Case
January 29, 2019 @ 2:47 pm
All of them. But some of my favorites are Mama Song, David, Fast Hand, Been Around, Hippies and Cowboys, Loud and Heavy, We Get By, No Words, Give All You Can, Heavy Load, Grey, Vampires. Too many to list right here.
Rob
January 29, 2019 @ 2:55 pm
Lifers isn’t one of his best, but that’s due to how high he set the bar. I recommended Me or You, Rock and Roll, Birds, David, I’m Not the Devil, Give All You Can, No Words, Memory and a Dream, Alone, Hippies and Cowboys, Heavy Load, Mamma Song, and more.
Altaltcountry
January 29, 2019 @ 6:10 pm
Just a hunch but I think Jinks’ next album will set a new standard. Will it be a hit on the radio or awards shows? Maybe not but who cares.
Brian
January 29, 2019 @ 3:14 pm
Last Call for the Blues is an awesome song along with all those mentioned above.
Josie
January 29, 2019 @ 9:02 pm
You should hear Scott Copeland sing it!
DJ
January 29, 2019 @ 3:40 pm
I Cast No Stones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6Y4O_F5feg
Alone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRRXHzuiiLI&start_radio=1&list=RDMRRXHzuiiLI
Lulu
February 1, 2019 @ 10:18 pm
I LOVE I cast no stones!
DJ
February 2, 2019 @ 9:49 am
It has become my favorite song of all time-
karl
January 29, 2019 @ 6:21 pm
I cast no stones is a must.
Jackie Treehorn
January 29, 2019 @ 10:07 pm
Check out “think like you think”. Great little known jinks song that become a favorite of mine.
Blockman
January 30, 2019 @ 12:31 am
Somewhere Between I Love you and I’m Leaving. That song is pure country gold if there ever was such a thing.
scott
January 30, 2019 @ 6:11 am
Just pick up the Adobe Sessions, and Less Wise albums. You’ll be fine with those two.
Linds
January 29, 2019 @ 2:12 pm
To be honest, NO one can replace Randy Travis. He was and is the absolute best!
Jennifer Whatley (Mamaflocker)
January 29, 2019 @ 3:14 pm
It WAS an emotional MOMENT…
So happy to have witnessed it from the 4th row!!! Yes, I agree with Mary, Cody has some Big
“Boots” to fill but we are confident he will, and definitely DO IT HIS OWN WAY đđ