Cody Johnson‘s Leather Deluxe Edition is out now. The new record, the follow-up to his Leather album, out last year, is 13 more songs that Johnson released, in many ways as a thank-you to his fans.
“I’ll try not to get emotional, but it means the world to me, because at the end of the day, we’re all human, and we all have our struggles, and I do too,” Johnson tells his record label. “A lot as a person, as a dad, as a husband, as a CEO, but getting to bring music to people is what I do it all for.”
There are few things that get Johnson as excited as releasing new music, especially music he has poured his heart and soul into making it be the best it can be.
“I’m not addicted to any drug in the world except that, and I’m very, very addicted to that,” Johnson says. “I cannot imagine my life without being able to create music and put it out to people to go play it live. It just does something for me; it’s like the only time when I’m in the studio and I’m creating, the whole world’s perfect. There are no problems. I sleep so good — I just sleep so good after the day in the studio. Then I wake up the next morning bright and early, I can’t wait to get back to the studio to go create more.”
Part of why Johnson loves making music is because he can anticipate how it’s going to feel when he gets to play the news songs for his fans.
“It starts from picking the songs, or writing the songs all the way to the studio. And then from that point, it transitions to the stage to where yes, I love being at home and man, I hate leaving,” the father of two says. “But Friday when you get on that plane, it’s like, ‘Dude, I can’t wait to get to the stage tonight. I just can’t wait to get there and play these songs.’ And as soon as you get off stage, it’s like this (groan) ‘I can’t wait till tomorrow night, wait to play again tomorrow night. We’re going to do it again tomorrow night.'”
Included on Leather Deluxe Edition is Johnson’s current single, his “I’m Gonna Love You,” duet with Carrie Underwood, out now. Johnson patiently sat on the song for a while, waiting until it was the right time for both of them to share it with the world.
“The issue is, when you’re dealing with an artist of that caliber; you have to be very respectful of their time,” Johnson previously explained (via iHeartCountry). “You have to be respectful of their tour when they’re releasing an album when they’re releasing a single … Carrie was so gracious to work with. I respect her so much as a vocalist and an artist. I think a lot of newer artists would have got that [collaborations]. and said, ‘Look, I have a duet with Carrie Underwood! Look, look, look!’
“I’m very thankful she did it, so I don’t care when it comes out,” the 37-year-old added. “I know that it’s done. I know that when the timing is right, it will be beautiful.”
Johnson will wrap up his Leather Tour in December, and kick off his Leather Deluxe Tour in early 2025. Find Leather Deluxe Edition and all of Johnson’s music and upcoming shows at CodyJohnsonMusic.com.
Leather Deluxe Edition Track List:
1. Overdue (Jake Worthington, Marv Green)
2. The Fall (Bobby Pinson, Ray Fulcher, Jeremy Stover)
3. How Do You Sleep At Night (Ryan Hurd, Zach Abend, Nick Donley, Michael Hardy)
4. Country Boy Singin’ The Blues (Cody Johnson, Matt Rogers, Ben Stennis)
5. Georgia Peaches (Cody Johnson, Jake Mears, Jody Bartula) *Performed by The Rockin’ CJB
6. Damn Good Life (Frank Rogers, Jonathan Singleton, Jessi Alexander)
7. C’mon Cowgirl (Aby Gutierrez, Adam James, Jonathan Stark)
8. I Wished It Was You (Troy Cartwright, Benjy Davis, Zach Abend)
9. Take It Like A Man (Matt Rogers, Adam Craig, Jordan Walker)
10. I’m Gonna Love You (with Carrie Underwood) (Chris Stevens, Kelly Archer, Travis Denning)
11. Made In The USA (Adam James, Emily Falvey, Ben Stennis)
12. Over Missin’ You (Jesse Raub Jr., Sean Scott White, Helene Cronin, Patrick Savage)
13.The Mustang (Cody Johnson, Wesley Bayliss Jr.)