Cody Johnson Releases Merle Haggard Cover “Footlights”
Reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Cody Johnson releases a cover of Merle Haggard’s “Footlights” today on the 10-year anniversary of his passing. Haggard was also born on this day in 1937. “Footlights” is available across all digital platforms HERE.
As an avid Haggard fan, Cody has paid tribute to him numerous times, acknowledging that he was one of his biggest musical influences. “Merle was a poet,” Cody said. “When I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm frustrated, and everything in between, he has sung the soundtrack of my life.” Watch more of what Cody had to say about Haggard in this interview with Suzzanne Alexander for “On The Record” on RFD-TV.
In 2025, Cody received the ACM Spirit Award for his genuine, songwriter-focused country music that reflect Merle Haggard’s legacy. The award recognizes artists who follow their own path, creating great stories and songs.
Cody’s current radio single, “The Fall,” written by Bobby Pinson, Jeremy Stover, and Ray Fulcher, is from his Leather Deluxe Edition album. Bob Oermann’s review in MusicRow Magazine said of the song, “Philosophical, moody, and super compelling. ‘The ride was worth the fall/The fall was worth the smile/Smiles were worth the tears…Life is worth the fall.’ A superb song in the throat of a master stylist. Essential.”
His headline tour continues in April and wraps in Europe this Fall.
Openers on this year's tour include Clint Black, Randy Houser, Scotty McCreery, Kip Moore, Ian Munsick, Jon Pardi, Drew Baldridge, Chayce Beckham, Carter Faith, Alexandra Kay, Parker McCollum, Walker Montgomery, and Emily Ann Roberts.
View all tour dates here.