Cody Johnson and family celebrated a Texas Cowboy Christmas with a special television program
Last December, CoJo fans welcomed in the holiday season with CMT Presents: A Cody Johnson Christmas. Johnson invited his wife Brandi, their daughters Clara and Cori, his mother Sheila, and his father Carl to join him for the show. In addition, Johnson welcomed special guests Kevin Fowler and Roger Creager. Together, they invited viewers to share their favorite Christmas traditions and songs.
Prior to the special, CMT shared a cheerful video of Cody Johnson answering rapid-fire questions about the holidays while attempting to untangle a string of Christmas lights. In the clip, Johnson was asked what his favorite Christmas song was and answered, “White Christmas.”
The story behind “White Christmas”
“White Christmas” was originally written by Irving Berlin (the same composer behind “God Bless America” and many other classics). Berlin was a Russian-born immigrant who did not actually celebrate Christmas, as he was Jewish. His inspiration for the song came after he tragically lost his son on Christmas Day in 1928.
He won an Academy Award for “White Christmas” after it was featured in the 1942 movie Holiday Inn. In 1954, it was the title track of another Bing Crosby Christmas musical, White Christmas.
Bing Crosby’s rendition of the ballad is arguably the most well-known, with 50 million copies sold. According to Guinness World Records, it is the best-selling Christmas song of all time and the best-selling single ever.
Cody Johnson performs “White Christmas” on CMT Presents: A Cody Johnson Christmas
Johnson promised to deliver a “classy” set of songs in the style of crooners like Frank Sinatra. Accompanied by what he described as the “best band I have ever been in a room with,” he treated viewers to various Christmas favorites from his 2021 album, A Cody Johnson Christmas.
It was a special moment when Johnson took the stage to perform “White Christmas,” a song that he relates to personally. Growing up in Texas, his Christmases were warm, not snowy, so as a child, he truly dreamed of a “White Christmas.”
Illuminated by piano and strings, he paints a somber yet beautiful picture of longing for the magic that the holidays once held.
Hear Cody Johnson’s version of “White Christmas” from his 2021 album below!