I could listen to Cody Johnson sing Christmas songs all day long.
CMA Country Christmas is on full blast in my household as it highlights some of the best country artists singing Christmas classics. For someone who is not an avid Christmas music listener, that says a lot about the caliber of talent the featured artists brought this year.
The special aired a few weeks ago, and before the performances, the featured artists talked about what they were looking forward to during the special. Cody Johnson spoke about how he loves this special because he can lean into a side of his vocals, which he typically does not highlight when he’s running around stomping his boots on stage.
“I get to show a little bit more of a Frank Sinatra (and) Dean Martin side of myself that you don’t normally see when you come to one of my live shows.
In my live shows, I try to be very electric, jumping off of risers and keeping the crowd right here in the palm of my hand. But with these songs, the reason why I chose ‘White Christmas’ and ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ is to kind of show off a little bit (of a) different side of my voice that you wouldn’t normally hear.”
Boy, was he not kidding. His “White Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” performances during CMA Country Christmas are a version of Cody Johnson you’ve never seen before. Because of his silky, smooth, and powerful vocals, he should start going by Crooner Johnson during this time of year.
Sitting on a bar stool center stage, Johnson effortlessly delivers the words of the song originally recorded in 1942. “White Christmas is a classic holiday tune that is difficult to cover. The long, drawn-out notes test vocal stamina, and when an artist doesn’t prepare for this, the cover can sometimes be hard to sit through.
That is far from the case with Cody Johnson. Johnson’s vocals are smoother than butter as he performs the challenging song effortlessly. The addition of his Texas twangs put on specific notes in the lyrics gives his rendition a slight country flare while still keeping the integrity of the original recording.
“I said, I’m dreaming of a white, oh, ChristmasJust like the ones I used to knowWhere the tree tops glistenAnd the children listenTo hear sleigh bells in the snow
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days, may your days, may your days
Be merry and bright
And may all your Christmas’ be white…”
In a world where everyone is putting our Christmas singles and records, Cody Johnson remains the King of a Country Christmas. Since Johnson released his A Cody Johnson Christmas record in 2021, he’s tastefully kept his holiday tunes at the forefront of his fans’ minds by keeping the classic feeling throughout them all, and he does not overdo it.
No one lays down a Christmas classic like Mr. Johnson. Fire it up, you won’t regret it.
