Gearing up for his biggest album to date.
2026 has already been a huge year for Cody Johnson, and it’s only getting better from here. Riding the highs of his first-ever Male Vocalist of the Year award at the CMAs back in November, Johnson would go on to break George Strait’s Rodeo Houston’s concert-only attendance record in March, performing to a crowd of 80,203. Couple that with four nominations at the upcoming ACM Awards (Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year for “The Fall” and Visual Media for “The Fall”) and his first-ever headlining gig at Stagecoach, the largest country festival in the U.S., and you have yourself one of the best six-month stretches you can ask for.
In case that wasn’t enough, the “Dirt Cheap” singer finally gave fans what they’ve been asking for after two years of waiting. Back on April 16th, Johnson would officially announce that his 10th studio album, Banks of the Trinity, is coming Friday, June 26th
In the Instagram post announcing the record, Johnson would note that the album is a reflection of his roots back home in Sebastopol, Texas. Particularly, he’d note that hearing the title track for the first time kick-started the concept for Banks Of The Trinity.
“When I heard the song “Banks Of The Trinity” for the first time, it was like a portrait flashed in my head of memories I thought I’d forgotten. It took me straight back home to Sebastopol, Texas, where I grew up on the river.
That’s why I chose a photo of Lawrence’s Grocery Store for the album cover. As a kid, I used to ride my bike two miles down an old dirt road just to get a cream soda and a Blue Bell ice cream bar. I’d sit there and listen to the old men talk for a while before heading back home with a basket of groceries.
This record is my way of going back to those dirt roads. I can’t wait for you to come with me on that journey back.”
Wasting absolutely no time, the 38-year-old singer/songwriter would drop the album’s first single, “I Want You,” just a day after Banks of Trinity’s announcement. Just two weeks later, he’s back with yet another preview for the album, a classic, fiddle-fueled heartbreaker, Hello Lonesome.
Discussing the track on Instagram, Johnson would note that he simply wanted to deliver a classic country song with no agenda, secondary meaning or frills:
“No agenda on this one… just wanted y’all to hear it and think, that’s a damn country song.”
What results in a rock-solid track from the Johnson that feels like a call back to his early days down in Texas. Written by Jimmy Yeary, Seth Mosley and Matt Rogers, the song does exactly what the title suggests and sees the “Diamond in My Pocket” singer figuratively talking to the feeling of being lonesome. Couple that with a heavy does of fiddle throughout, and you have yourself a tongue-in-cheek heartbreaker that feels straight out of the 80s in the best way possible.
“Hello, lonesome, well how have you been?
I knew that it was you ‘for you came waltzin’ in
Well, you’re just in time, she just said goodbye and left me in here all alone
Hello, lonesome, welcome home”
There’s been a lot of talk over the past five or so years on whether or not Johnson lost his touch after departing the Texas scene and signing to Warner Records. While I have to admit that Leather, in particular, felt a bit lackluster compared to the rest of his early work, Banks of the Trinity very well might be shaping up to be a return to form for the Texan. If the rest of the album sounds similar to “Hello Lonesome,” we’re in for an absolute treat come June 26th.
“Hello Lonesome”
Cody Johnson Tour Dates
April 24 – Indio, California – Stagecoach
May 2 – Clemson, South Carolina – Death Valley (Clemson Stadium)
May 9 – Des Moines, Iowa – Casey’s Corner
May 30 – Rosemont, Illinois – Allstate Center
July 11 – Cavendish, Prince Edward Island – Cavendish Beach Music Festival
July 17 – Columbus, Ohio – Nationwide Arena with Drew Baldridge
July 18 – Columbus, Ohio – Nationwide Arena with Ian Munsick & Walker Montgomery
July 25 – Jacksonville, Florida – Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena
August 8 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Paycom Center
August 22 – Knoxville, Tennessee – Food City Center
August 29 – Saint Paul, Minnesota – Grand Casinoa Arena
September 12 – Tacoma, Washington – Tacoma Dome
