Reba McEntire Joins Cody Johnson for Remake of “Dear Rodeo”
If we’re being honest, the experiment of Texas country star Cody Johnson as a major label artist being promoted out of Nashville has rendered mixed results. His lead single launched after he signed a partnership deal between his own Cojo Music and Warner Music Nashville called “On My Way To You” resulted in a #11 placement on country radio, and a Platinum certification. But his second single “Nothin’ On You” stalled at #55. Pretty disappointing.
Cody Johnson assured his fans on numerous occasions after he signed his major label partnership that he wouldn’t change for anyone, or anything. But as we’ve seen many times over the years, the Texas star in Tennessee doesn’t always work out, especially when they hold to their scruples. Whether they’re too good, too country, or too hard to tame, it’s hard for the Music Row sausage factory to know how to handle them.
Nonetheless, Cody Johnson remains an important puzzle piece in the effort to save mainstream country music. Sure, he’s not Cody Jinks or Tyler Childers, but similar to someone like Jon Pardi, Johnson can be a bridge and intermediary between the traditional and contemporary, the mainstream and independent. But it will only be effective if Cody remains to be himself.
Cody Johnson’s latest radio single “Dear Rodeo” is doing a fair bit better than his last single did. It’s already at #41 on radio after jumping 8 spots last week, and spending six total weeks on the charts so far. Unlike “Nothin’ On You,” which felt like a play for radio acceptance (and colossally failed, as is often the case with these efforts), “Dear Rodeo” is very personal for Cody Johnson. Coming from a guy who tried his hand at the rodeo life and fell short before hitting it big in music, the song comes from a place that not only underpins the authenticity behind Cody’s music and the song specifically, but it’s something he can sing about with passion.
But what’s most interesting is how Cody and his label have decided to try and put an extra jolt behind the song. As we’ve seen over and over the last few years in nauseating predictability, as a song from an up-and-coming artist is climbing the charts and the label wants to put some extra oomph behind it, they bring in a pop star or hip-hop artist for a timely remix. Cody Johnson and Co. have chosen to go the star duet path with “Dear Rodeo” as well, but instead of selecting someone outside the genre, they’ve gone with a country legend in Reba McEntire.
“Dear Rodeo” is one of the highlights of Cody Johnson’s mainstream debut album Ain’t Nothin’ To It. But like you commonly see on mainstream records, it was the last track on the record. It’s not a world-beater, but it’s a world-beater for country radio, and now with Reba behind it, hopefully it will be a breakout moment for Cody Johnson.
Without the ability to tour extensively—which is one of Cody Johnson’s strong suits from being able to call upon the grassroots he developed over his time in Texas—Cody may have to get creative to find the success and attention his talent deserves. This duet with Reba is a perfect way to do this while staying true to himself, while potentially introducing Reba to a new generation of fans who may not know her much beyond “Fancy.”
wayne
October 4, 2020 @ 12:11 pm
I never was a fan of Reba. Just a personal taste as her voice just grated me.
However, this is a fine duet. One thing is the song doesn’t change much by the duo addition.
Kind of like “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” by Tracy Lawrence. Both versions were good. Same for this song.
I don’t know what’s ahead for Cody. Maybe a hit or two via the Nashville system and then he goes back independent. That would be my guess. But one thing that is not a guess, he is darn good.
Bear
October 4, 2020 @ 1:03 pm
Dig it. As both a literal song and metaphor of life. And pleased that Reba didn’t over take the song.
Trenton
October 4, 2020 @ 1:21 pm
Cody Johnson is held up by so many and by himself as some kind of alternative to bad pop country and that’s ironic because his music is virtually no different. It lacks any substance.
It reminds me of how Eric Church crams the, I’m an outlaw/bad boy shunned by the powers that be, because my music is just too real for them while making music like “put a drink in my hand” and “round here buzz.”
Cody Johnson is for people who like to think of themselves and not floating the mainstream, but you put something in front of them like a Joshua Ray Walker, Arlo McKinnly, or a Benjamin Tod on and it just goes right past them.
They like the thought of being anti-pop country more than the actual sound of it.
Brent Johnson
October 4, 2020 @ 7:27 pm
When they play the radio at work and he comes on it sounds pretty different then most of the modern country and I think he fits alongside a George Strait. Sure the guys you list are maybe more “pure” but CoJo does some good stuff.
Hey Arnold
October 4, 2020 @ 1:39 pm
Cojo, a Prime example of an “Artificial Cowboy” – has to show his “manliness” by posting hunting photos via social media.
The song is pretty good though. But I don’t like the marketing behind this guy..
hoptowntiger94
October 4, 2020 @ 3:23 pm
It’s more believable than Garth Brooks’ “Rodeo.”
Hey Arnold
October 4, 2020 @ 4:17 pm
When did Garth enter this chat?? 🙄
wayne
October 4, 2020 @ 5:52 pm
And what is wrong showing hunting photos?
Hey Arnold
October 4, 2020 @ 8:27 pm
He’s hunting livestock, that’s not even considered real hunting…
Cobra
October 5, 2020 @ 7:39 am
Considering that he actually was a rodeo rider, to call him an “artificial cowboy” is a ridiculous statement.
wayne
October 5, 2020 @ 7:45 am
I went hunting for deer livestock Saturday morning. Didn’t even see a squirrel. Oh well, another day in the life of us extremist right-wing nutjobs. Glad I have livestock in the freezer. The brisket was darn good.
618creekrat
October 5, 2020 @ 9:03 am
Yeah, if chowing down on my soybean crop and then on my corn makes them livestock, so be it. I gotta pay taxes, so the deer gotta pay their share.
wayne
October 5, 2020 @ 9:22 am
Yes sir. My stand is right beside my 30 acres of corn. Venison for winter!!
Blackh4t
October 4, 2020 @ 1:46 pm
I like it. Not sure Reba adds anything to it.
Very relateable, I always thought Id win my belt buckes, but it never happened
hoptowntiger94
October 4, 2020 @ 2:57 pm
Love it! I remember “The Heart Won’t Lie” was supposed to be a duet with Kenny Rogers, but Reba kept blowing him out of the studio, so they had to bring in Vince Gill who forever was the only formidable duet partner for Reba. But later in her career (maybe her range mellowed) she has a lot to add to a song without stealing the show.
Lindsey
October 4, 2020 @ 9:48 pm
That sounds awkward after listening to his solo version quite a bit. I love the song, but not this way.
Dave in SD
October 4, 2020 @ 9:57 pm
I like the duet with Reba, hopefully it gives Cody the boost to get to the top of the charts. I was disappointed when Nothing On You was released as a single, I always felt Fenceposts, Monday Morning Merle, and Ain’t Nothin To It were better songs and hoped they would be released as singles, maybe they will be. Last week a Cody Johnson concert from Lewisville Texas was livestreamed and he finished the show with really good acoustic versions of Countryboy Can Survive, Crazy, I’m Gonna Live Forever, and Red Dirt Road. I’ve always thought Cody’s at his best solo with his guitar, or broke down acoustic with his band, his Paste Studio Secessions on youtube are pretty damn good. Nope he’s not Jinks or Childers but he’s still very good.
albert
October 4, 2020 @ 10:49 pm
i’m a cody fan since the first record . i’m a reba fan cuz VOICE …the woman can deliver a song like very few can . and lets not forget how terrific her last record was .
saying that …this is not a great song … . i would be surprised to see it do really well ……very happy ….but mostly surprised . it sounds a bit r and r -dirgy with the big screamin rock guitar solo which REALLY dates it . even the intro guitar hook is weak and boring . if i wanted dated, generic-sounding material i’d listen to aldean….even his pseudo hip hop crap . but i think this is a song no one can really relate to or probably even care enough about in these dramatic emotion-fueled times we ‘re trying to navigate . i’d love to hear these two find a GREAT song together though .
618creekrat
October 5, 2020 @ 9:09 am
I like it okay, although the song doesn’t call for the duet treatment. Both artists do have their rodeo ties, however, so it makes sense from that angle. At least he did let her take the reins for a bit. Would’ve been a bit of a waste if she was merely doing harmony.
Kevin Smith
October 6, 2020 @ 4:17 am
Yep. Agreed. The song is fine. Rebas a national treasure. But , it’s not really a true duet song. Shes just harmonizing behind him. Kinda wasteful of her level of talent. So, unfortunately the recording isn’t bettered in any way by her presence. Too bad.
Will
October 8, 2020 @ 7:35 am
I think they just did the best they could without them being able to be together in the studio. I agree though, it feels like an afterthought. If it gets him up the chart it’s worth it to me.