Cody Joe started playing music at an early age, but it wasn’t until his senior year in high school that he became serious about his art. Impassioned by such country greats as George Strait, Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings, Cody Joe wrote his first song, “Daddy’s Dream”, his freshman year in the dorms at Texas A&M University.
Not long after graduating from Texas A&M in 2006, Cody Joe took off to Nashville, where he was lucky enough to find a place to stay with the late, great Johnny Paycheck’s steel guitar player, Jay Andrews. After his stay in Nashville, he decided to move back to Texas and join the Army. While in the Army, he ended up singing with the group “Harmony in Motion,” a vocal ensemble based out of Fort Carson, Colorado, and began traveling across America playing for large entertainment venues. Upon discharge, his dad had a talk with him about a career in the power line business as a lineman. This sounded like something exciting and also a great opportunity to draw upon for songwriting, so he joined the energy field in 2010. At the same time, he started a band called “Cody Hodges & The Linemen”, they came out with their first album as a band in 2012. In the spring of 2013, he decided to focus on his music and see what plans God had for him. So far, it has been a blessing. Cody Joe was recently nominated as Rising Star for the 2014 Texas Music Awards. This past year, Cody Joe Hodges and his band moved on to Round 2 of the Shiner Rising Star Competition, and he was nominated as Male Country Vocalist of the Year for the International Music and Entertainment Association.
Cody Joe is a traditionalist in the sense that he loves the sound of traditional country; with a steel guitar, fiddle and good, old-fashioned story-telling songs, the way country music was when he was growing up. As a true Texan, he grew up idolizing George Strait and aspires to the lifelong career he has had in the music industry. He is also a huge fan of the true country and outlaw country greats such as: Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard. Not only were/are they storytellers, but fantastic writers, artists and personalities.
Cody Joe Hodges’s music has been described as “outlaw country”, with a large influence of the country greats and performers who started the genre in the late 70’s and 80’s. Cody Joe’s voice ranges from silky smooth to raspy seduction. A Cody Joe Hodges live performance is one you will not forget. He and his band always thrill, putting on a high-energy performance at every show. It is rare that you will find someone that reaches across the aisle to both the old and new generations, but Cody Joe Hodges does it every time. With a steel guitar, fiddle, stand-up bass, guitar and drums, Cody Joe’s sound is something out of the past. Be prepared to dance because his goal for every show is to fill the dance floor.
Cody Joe tries to put a positive message in every song. There is a lot of negative in this world, and when people listen to music, whether it is to escape or to be entertained, his goal is to put a grin on your face or a smile in your heart.
While Cody Joe and his band currently play a lot of bars and honky tonks, they love playing fairs, festivals and concerts where they can reach out to all ages and play for folks they wouldn’t normally reach in the bar and honky tonk scene.
www.codyjoehodges.com
www.facebook.com/codyjoehodges
twitter.com/codyjoehodges
instagram.com/codyjoehodges
www.soundcloud.com/codyjoehodges
www.youtube.com/codyjoehodges
Artist Updates (10/28/13)
/by Jessica NicholsonPhoto: George Uribe
Country Music Artist and frequent at the Grand Ole Opry, Mallary Hope, 26, was engaged on Saturday, Oct. 26 to Ryan Dokke, 31, Regional Promotions Manager at Arista Records, a division of Sony Music.
Dokke proposed to Hope in the middle of the unbroken circle on the stage at The Grand Ole Opry
• • •
New country duo Dan + Shay, (“19 You + Me”) were the final featured artist for the fourth season of Warner Music Nashville’s Pickin’ on the Patio celebration.
Top Row: (L-R) Lisa Ray (VP, Brand Management), Scott Hendricks (SVP, A&R), Jordan Pettit (Dir., National Promotion). Bottom Row: (L-R) Tom Martens (Southeast Regional, Promotion), Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, John Esposito (President & CEO, WMN), Chris Stacey (SVP, Promotion), Abby Law (Midwest/Northeast Regional, Promotion) Chris Palmer (VP, Promotion), Jessica Rouse (Coordinator, Promotion)
• • •
Cody Joe Hodges – Getting Back To Country
/by contributorNot long after graduating from Texas A&M in 2006, Cody Joe took off to Nashville, where he was lucky enough to find a place to stay with the late, great Johnny Paycheck’s steel guitar player, Jay Andrews. After his stay in Nashville, he decided to move back to Texas and join the Army. While in the Army, he ended up singing with the group “Harmony in Motion,” a vocal ensemble based out of Fort Carson, Colorado, and began traveling across America playing for large entertainment venues. Upon discharge, his dad had a talk with him about a career in the power line business as a lineman. This sounded like something exciting and also a great opportunity to draw upon for songwriting, so he joined the energy field in 2010. At the same time, he started a band called “Cody Hodges & The Linemen”, they came out with their first album as a band in 2012. In the spring of 2013, he decided to focus on his music and see what plans God had for him. So far, it has been a blessing. Cody Joe was recently nominated as Rising Star for the 2014 Texas Music Awards. This past year, Cody Joe Hodges and his band moved on to Round 2 of the Shiner Rising Star Competition, and he was nominated as Male Country Vocalist of the Year for the International Music and Entertainment Association.
Cody Joe is a traditionalist in the sense that he loves the sound of traditional country; with a steel guitar, fiddle and good, old-fashioned story-telling songs, the way country music was when he was growing up. As a true Texan, he grew up idolizing George Strait and aspires to the lifelong career he has had in the music industry. He is also a huge fan of the true country and outlaw country greats such as: Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard. Not only were/are they storytellers, but fantastic writers, artists and personalities.
Cody Joe Hodges’s music has been described as “outlaw country”, with a large influence of the country greats and performers who started the genre in the late 70’s and 80’s. Cody Joe’s voice ranges from silky smooth to raspy seduction. A Cody Joe Hodges live performance is one you will not forget. He and his band always thrill, putting on a high-energy performance at every show. It is rare that you will find someone that reaches across the aisle to both the old and new generations, but Cody Joe Hodges does it every time. With a steel guitar, fiddle, stand-up bass, guitar and drums, Cody Joe’s sound is something out of the past. Be prepared to dance because his goal for every show is to fill the dance floor.
Cody Joe tries to put a positive message in every song. There is a lot of negative in this world, and when people listen to music, whether it is to escape or to be entertained, his goal is to put a grin on your face or a smile in your heart.
While Cody Joe and his band currently play a lot of bars and honky tonks, they love playing fairs, festivals and concerts where they can reach out to all ages and play for folks they wouldn’t normally reach in the bar and honky tonk scene.
www.codyjoehodges.com
www.facebook.com/codyjoehodges
twitter.com/codyjoehodges
instagram.com/codyjoehodges
www.soundcloud.com/codyjoehodges
www.youtube.com/codyjoehodges
Songwriter O'Donnell Inducted Into New Brunswick Country Music HOF
/by Jessica NicholsonThe event, held Oct. 19, was hosted by Gary Morris.
O’Donnell’s song credits include “Give It All We Got Tonight” (George Strait), “Back When I Knew It All” (Montgomery Gentry), “Tougher Than Nails” (Tracy Lawrence), among others.
Feek, Slater, Carter Slated For CMA Songwriters Series
/by Jessica NicholsonCarter is best known for her No. 1 smash, “Strawberry Wine,” which won CMA Song of the Year in 1997; In addition, she co-wrote the Kenny Chesney hit “You and Tequila,” which was nominated last year for CMA Song of the Year.
Feek is one half of the duo Joey + Rory. He wrote or co-wrote much of the duo’s current album, His and Hers, and has logged multiple No. 1’s including “Little More Country Than That” recorded by Easton Corbin and “Some Beach” recorded by Blake Shelton.
Slater is a singer/songwriter who has penned songs including “In My Daughters Eyes” recorded by Martina McBride, “Unstoppable” recorded by Rascal Flatts, and “The High Cost of Living” recorded by Jamey Johnson.
'MusicRow' No. 1 Song
/by Eric T. ParkerDarius Rucker
Darius Rucker’s latest single, “Radio,” has made it to the No. 1 spot on MusicRow’s radio chart–imagine that! Ninety-nine reporting stations from around the country spun the title 3,111 times this week to land it at our chart’s pinnacle.
Written by Ashley Gorley, Luke Laird and Rucker, the Capitol Nashville title finds a teenager enjoying the freedom of the road with memorable songs blaring on the radio. MusicRow‘s Robert K. Oermann calls the title: “Thumpy and funky…Lively, romping and impossible to resist.”
Rucker is up for CMA Single of the Year at the Nov. 6 live telecast for his 2013 single “Wagon Wheel,” which is also nominated for Song of the Year. He will film with the CMA Country Christmas two days following (Nov. 8) for a Christmas program to be broadcast nationally on ABC-TV Monday, Dec. 2. Rucker is also featured on Sandra Boynton’s Warner Bros. Frog Trouble children’s project, singing “Beautiful Baby.”
Toby Keith, Hunter Hayes Among Latest After Midnite Hosts
/by Lorie HollabaughAfter MidNite’s 20-week takeover began on Aug. 1 and runs through the end of the year. Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Rogers, and Darius Rucker are just a few of the guests who have already stopped in to help the show celebrate its milestone over the past few months. The show is nationally syndicated by Premiere Networks and can be heard on more than 230 affiliates by 2.7 million people weekly.
Toby Keith – Oct. 28 – Nov. 3
Lee Brice and Tyler Farr (featuring CMA Correspondents Jo Dee Messina and Craig Morgan) – Nov. 4 – 10
Hunter Hayes – Nov. 11 – 17
Randy Houser – Nov. 18 – 24
Little Big Town – Nov. 25 – December 1
MusicRowLife: Ashley Monroe Weds
/by Jessica NicholsonBlake Shelton officiated the nuptials, and Miranda Lambert (a fellow member of Pistol Annies) served as the maid of honor. The wedding took place at Blackberry Farm, the same location that Kelly Clarkson wed this past weekend.
Danks and Monroe met in 2011 and announced their engagement in September 2012.
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like CMAs – Street Closings Alert
/by Lorie HollabaughMonday, Oct. 28
Beginning at 6:00 AM/CT, the Northside lane of Demonbreun Street will close between Fourth and Fifth Avenues South.
Friday, Nov. 1
At 6:00 AM/CT, Fifth Avenue South will close between Demonbreun Street and Broadway. The right lane between the Hilton driveway and Broadway will remain open for northbound traffic only.
Saturday, Nov. 2
At 6:00 AM/CT, Sixth Avenue South will close between Demonbreun Street and Broadway.
Sunday, Nov. 3
At 6:00 AM/CT, Demonbreun Street will close between Fifth and Sixth Avenues South.
Monday, Nov. 4
At 9:00 AM/CT, Fifth Avenue South will completely close between Demonbreun Street and Broadway.
Wednesday, Nov. 6
-At 6:00 AM/CT, Sixth Avenue South will close between Korean Veterans Blvd. and Demonbreun Street.
-At 6:00 AM/CT, Fifth Avenue South will close between Korean Veterans Blvd. and Demonbreun Street.
-At 6:00 AM/CT, Demonbreun Street will close between Fifth and Fourth Avenues South.
-At 6:00 AM/CT, the Fourth Avenue Southbound curb lane (West) will close between Broadway and Demonbreun Street.
-At 6:00 AM/CT, Demonbreun Street will close between Eighth and Sixth Avenues South.
-At 6:00 AM/CT, Seventh Avenue South will close between Demonbreun Street and Broadway.
-At 6:00 AM/CT, McGavock Pike will close between Eighth and Seventh Avenues South.
Saturday, Nov. 9
At 8:00 AM/CT, the Northside lane of Demonbreun Street will close between Fourth and Fifth Avenues South.
Sunday, Nov. 10
At 8:00 AM/CT, the Northside lane of Demonbreun Street will close again between Fourth and Fifth Avenues South.
The Northside lane of Demonbreun Street will re-open between Fourth and Fifth Avenues South no later than 6:00 PM/CT on each day it is closed. Fourth Avenue South will re-open between Broadway and Demonbreun Street no later than 10:00 PM/CT on Wednesday, Nov. 6. All other roads will re-open no later than 4:00 AM/CT on Thursday, Nov. 7; except Fifth Avenue South, which will re-open between Demonbreun Street and Broadway no later than5:00 PM/CT on that day. In addition, Sixth Avenue South between Demonbreun Street and Broadway, and Demonbreun Street between Sixth and Fifth Avenues South will re-open no later than 6:00 AM/CT on Saturday, Nov. 9.
McBride, McCreery, Joey+Rory Win Big at ICM Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonMartina McBride
The 19th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country™ Awards were held Oct. 24 at The Fellowship at Two Rivers to honor artists, songwriters, radio personalities and others in the genres of Christian and Inspirational Country Music. Winners included Rascal Flatts for “Mainstream Inspirational Country Song” and “Video,” Martina McBride for “Mainstream Country Female Artist” and Scotty McCreery for “Mainstream Country Male Artist,” Joey+Rory for Mainstream Country Duo or Group, along with the top Inspirational Country Music artists.
2013 ICM Winners:
ENTERTAINER:
Kali Rose
MALE VOCALIST:
Tommy Brandt
FEMALE VOCALIST:
Mary James
VOCAL DUO / VOCAL DUO PERFORMANCE:
Steve Richard & Laura Dodd
VOCAL GROUP OR BAND:
Sunday Drive
MAINSTREAM INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG:
“Changed” Rascal Flatts
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY MALE ARTIST:
Scotty McCreery
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY FEMALE ARTIST:
Martina McBride
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY DUO OR GROUP:
Joey+Rory
INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG:
“They Don’t Stay Little Long Enough” Chuck Hancock
SONGWRITER:
Chuck Hancock
VIDEO:
“Changed” – Rascal Flatts
MUSICIAN:
Dennis Agajanian
COMEDIAN:
Chonda Pierce
RADIO STATION/NETWORK:
Inspirational Country Radio Network
NEW ARTIST:
Charee White
YOUTH IN MUSIC AWARD:
The McDougal Kids
FAITH, FAMILY, & COUNTRY MOVIE:
Spirit of Love, the Mike Glenn Story – Film It Productions
Produced by Darla Rae
RADIO PERSONALITY:
Marty Smith
INSPIRATIONAL BLUEGRASS ARTIST:
The Roys
MUSIC EVANGELIST:
Russ Murphy
TELEVISION NETWORK:
RFD TV
2013 LIVING LEGEND:
Gene Higgins
Industry Ink (10/25/13)
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Scott Borchetta, Anne Stanchfield and Scott Nygaard of Target Corporation
Scott Borchetta honored the Target Corporation with the Spirit of Excellence Award earlier this week during the T.J. Martell Foundation’s 38th Honors Gala Tuesday night (Oct. 22) in New York. Borchetta is a past honoree himself of the gala, and introduced the award with a humorous video honoring Target’s commitment to music before his speech at the event.
• • •
Catch This Music’s Rebekah Long, Shawn Bowling, Shona Robertson Burr, CTM owner Eddie Robba, Debi Cochran, Brandon Perdue and Brody Maves.
Catch This Music Recording Studio celebrated its two-year anniversary Wednesday (Oct. 23) in its back lot with a Fall cookout. Friends and clients gnoshed on brats and burgers while helping the studio celebrate its birthday.
• • •
Carolyn Corlew
Longtime Charlie Daniels Band background vocalist Carolyn Corlew was crowned Ms. Senior America Thursday (Oct. 24) at the National pageant at Resorts Casino Hotel’s Superstar Theater in Atlantic City, NJ. The competition featured 34 women ages 60 and older from around the country. Corlew won the title of Ms. Senior Tennessee on April 27th.
“I am thrilled, honored and so excited about wearing this crown for the next year,” said Corlew. “These women were over the top – there were professional dancers, opera singers from Broadway…I sang a bluesy Etta James song and we had a 93 year old that rocked the competition. I’m blown away. From this point it’s spirit, mind and then body – it’s gotta come from within. I’ve got a 20-pound dress on and a crown and I’m proud to represent all the senior women of America!”