Cody Johnson might’ve missed out on one of the “best moments” of his career if it weren’t for Luke Combs.
In an interview at Sharla McCoy’s Music Row Live, Hannah Lane of US 96 asked CoJo to share one of his best moments on stage, and his response was surprisingly recent. He reflected on the first time playing “The Painter” live for a crowd, and revealed the incredible moment almost didn’t even happen.
“The Painter,” a tribute to his wife Brandi, was also the lead single from Cody Johnson’s ninth studio album, “Leather.” The track dropped back in August while he was in Australia opening for Luke Combs’ World Tour.
“The day that the painter released to radio, I wasn’t gonna play it,” Johnson told Hannah. He shared he was reluctant to play the new track so soon, especially being so far from home.
Though he was hesitant to play “The Painter,” Luke Combs managed to convince Cody to go for it anyway: “I took the chance and we played ‘The Painter’…and they knew every word” Johnson said, before admitting he even cried a little on stage.
“This is the coolest thing ever” he said as he recalled the experience. “I’m so far away from home and people know music that I put out today.”
Watch Cody Johnson’s first live performance of “The Painter” here, and check out the interview on Hannah Lane’s TikTok, @_hannahhlanee_.