The National Finals Rodeo might be nearing its end, but there’s still a few cowboys to catch. For example, award-winning country musicians Cody Johnson and Jamey Johnson are set to play Las Vegas—on the same night. But which Johnson is right for you?
Let’s break down the options.
Cody Johnson
Playing: Michelob Ultra Arena, with Ashland Craft, Randy Houser, 7 p.m., axs.com.
Genre: Country-rock.
Songs you might know: “Diamond in My Pocket” (2011), “Dance Her Home” (2013), “Til You Can’t” (2021).
Backstory: Passionate about pro bull riding and singing, this East Texas cowboy fully committed to music in 2006 and began independently releasing popular albums, including 2016’s Gotta Be Me, which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s country chart. In 2018, Johnson, affectionately called “CoJo” by his fans, became the first unsigned artist to sell out Houston’s Livestock Show and Rodeo, held at the 72,220-seat NRG Stadium (he signed with Warner Music Nashville later that year). Then this year, the singer sold out opening night at the same event, a feat equaled only by Garth Brooks and George Strait, two of Johnson’s most pivotal influences. Armed with a low, silky drawl, a fetching smile and a penchant for creating languid, accessible country music, the ex bull rider has become a country powerhouse.
The pitch: The 35-year-old Johnson has seven albums’ of music from which to pluck, not to mention a holiday record, so fans should be two-steppin’ all night. He has said he arranged 2021’s Human: The Double Album the way he would a live set list, so the man clearly takes his concerts seriously.
Jamey Johnson
Playing: Golden Nugget Showroom, 10 p.m., ticketmaster.com.
Genre: Outlaw country.
Songs you might know: “The Dollar” (2005), In Color,” (2008), “High Cost of Living” (2008).
Backstory: It’s possible that your favorite Willie Nelson or George Strait song originated from Jamey Johnson’s prolific pen. The Alabama singer-songwriter and former U.S. Marine Corps mortarman has co-written singles for both of those country music legends (including Strait’s No. 1 hit “Give It Away”), along with Trace Adkins and Jessie James Decker. “The Dollar,” Johnson’s 2005 breakout song, helped him emerge as a solo force, but it was back-to-back albums That Lonesome Song (2008) and The Guitar Song (2010) that secured his place among the era’s acclaimed country artists. Lonesome single “In Color” received “Song of the Year” honors from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association in 2009 and remains Johnson’s most iconic track to date. Recently, the 10-time Grammy nominee was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
The pitch: A country outlaw through and through, the 47-year-old Johnson doesn’t compromise on his dusty sound or the husky ballads and acoustic confessionals behind it. Largely due to a debilitating head injury suffered in 2010, it has been 10 years since he released any new music, but that hasn’t stopped him from hitting the road, so here’s your chance to scratch that itch for time-tested, old-world country.
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