Cody Johnson “Cried Like It Was A Family Member” When He Learned Of Merle Haggard’s Passing

The artist who has not only shaped his career but also his life.

We all have musicians that we deeply resonate with. From their sound to their poetic lyrics, we all have music that one artist creates that resonates with us more deeply than others. But for musicians, this resonance goes beyond storytelling, as it often shapes their careers and who they hope to become as professionals.

And for Cody Johnson, the artist who has shaped him heavily is Merle Haggard.

At the same time, Johnson’s life was not shaped by what Hag did in his early childhood, as Merle Haggard was deeply troubled as a teen and young adult. At 13, Haggard was stealing, shoplifting, and writing bad checks, which led to a stint in a juvenile detention center, and eventually, as an adult, he found himself at San Quentin prison after he attempted to rob a roadhouse in Bakersfield.

But musically, Cody Johnson says that Merle Haggard’s songs are the soundtrack of his life.

During a recent conversation with RFD-TV for an episode of On The Record, he touched on how much Haggard has shaped his career. The conversation started with Johnson receiving the ACM Spirit Award at the ACM Honors. Merle Haggard inspired the Spirit Award, and it recognizes his authentic storytelling and independent spirit in country music, continuing his legacy.

Johnson shared that it was one of the greatest honors of his life to receive the award.

“Anything tied to Merle Haggard with my name is just one of the greatest honors.”

Johnson then shares many other country music legends who have impacted him on his musical journey, highlighting traits from George Strait, Willie Nelson, and Chris LeDoux.

“George Strait influenced me probably more than anybody as far as being the cowboy, not taking the hat off whenever they wanted to change his name and take the hat off. And he didn’t, and he wound up being The King of country music. He’s still such a gracious person to be around. He’s always been so cordial to me, and he’s never lost any integrity in his music.

Willie Nelson being the man that was told no so many times and still became Willie Nelson. That inspired me. He inspired my lyrics and the way I play guitar so much. 

Chris LeDoux, the crazy wild rock show from the guy with the gold belt buckle and the cowboy hat, and it felt like an AC/DC concert,  but it was still just a cowboy. That shaped me more than you’ll ever know.”

But Johnson shares that no artist has had the same impact on his life and career as Merle Haggard.

“But Merle Haggard, even in the up-tempo fun songs, was still a poet. I probably have every Merle Haggard song ever recorded on my phone, and most days that’s what’s going on in my truck, when I’m happy, when I’m sad, when I’m frustrated, everything in between, Merle has sung the soundtrack to my life. 

And he still is the only artist that passed away where I cried like it was a family member. I don’t know why. I opened for him three times, got an autograph on my guitar, and man, it hit me in the heart.

It’s to the point where my kids have asked, ‘When can we go see Merle Haggard in concert?’ Because I’ve played it so much. My song to my daughter Clara is ‘My Favorite Memory of All,’ and my song to my daughter Cori is ‘The Farmer’s Daughter.’ So Merle is just a part of our family, and always will be.”

The host of On The Record then asked Johnson if he exchanged any words with Haggard or if the country music icon passed along any words of wisdom to the Texas native. Johnson admitted that he was in shock at even performing on the same stage as Haggard, that the interaction was limited, and respectful.

“I was the first of five bands, and I said, ‘Thank you, sir.'” 

Short and sweet, but stuck with him for a lifetime. I am certain that Merle Haggard would love what Cody Johnson is doing in his career.

Check out the interview below:

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