Nashville recording artist, Cody Johnson has released the first song from his upcoming double album, which is set to be released in the fall of 2021. The song is a duet with none other than musical icon Willie Nelson.
The song Johnson released was one that Nelson wrote called, “Sad Songs and Waltzes.” The tune was previously featured on Nelson’s 1973 album, Shotgun Willie.
Johnson first heard “Sad Songs and Waltzes” over a decade ago, while watching a late-night episode of Austin City Limits that featured Nelson.
Nelson explained to CMT the backstory behind the song,
“Well, I went up to Nashville, and I had a pile of songs, and I sang ’em all for the record man, and the record man told me, sad songs and waltzes aren’t selling this year, son.”
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Johnson who’s always gone against the norm of the music industry added to Willie’s comment by saying
“The way I am, the music I create, the way that I look, and the cowboy that I am hasn’t been a trend in Nashville for a long time. Being true to yourself is what makes for the best music and the most loyal fans.”
Listen to Johnson’s version of “Sad Songs and Waltzes” below.