Raised on the Texas-Louisiana state line, Cody Cooke IS country music. His music offers hints of his favorite influences from Hank 1, 2, & 3, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, David Allan Coe, Travis Tritt, & Tony Joe White to newer artists such as Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, & Brantley Gilbert. His sound is truly classic outlaw country with a rockin’ sound – turned up to eleven. The gritty yet aching songs on the band’s latest full-length album ‘Son of The South’ look to replicate their prior success with first album ‘Gitcha Country On’ – it was nominated for two Grammys and appeared on the Billboard charts. So far, the former has reached #1 on the Billboard Heatseeker chart for the South Central region, while their debut single ‘Buck Wild’ was picked up by 32 radio stations across the country. I pitched a few questions to Cody Cooke to find out a little more about him, the music and the future.
1. Hey Cody! So how are things going with the new album? What’s the reaction been like?
The new album is spreading like wildfire! I’m very proud to see the friends and fans sending me messages about how my writing has matured and not only one particular song but all of em. From the sad drinking songs to the upbeat rockin’ outlaw style that makes us who we are and how we live.
2. Can you tell me a little more about the record? Themes and inspirations, who you worked with, how it all came together etc?
The entire album was recorded in Shreveport, Louisiana. “Set it Off” and “Son of the South” were engineered by John Vance at Amore Studios. The rest of the album was engineered by Steve Sullivan at Fox Trot Studio. Dave Pittenger mixed and mastered “The Bottle” and “Getting By.” Mike Watts mixed and mastered the rest of the album. We are very proud of this album. As an independent band it gave us the freedom to produce this album how we wanted. I truly think it stands out. A few weeks after the release I was sitting in my deer stand and I got a message on my phone that the new album debuted on the Soundscan Billboard heat seekers chart for the South- Central region at #1. Needless to say I made so much noise there wasn’t any reason to hunt the rest of the day haha. It’s been a blessing and a fun ride with this band of brothers and it really shows on this new album “Son of the South” and just knowing this is only the beginning really motivates us.
3. What’s your favorite song on the record and why?
My personal favorite song is “The Bottle”. I’m a sucker for them sad old school country songs and I’m very proud to have my own for the world to hear. I’m very proud of all of these songs but ‘The Bottle’ truly stands out to me.
4. You grew up on the Texas-Louisiana state line. What was that like, and what are some of your standout country music-related memories of growing up?
Growing up where I’m from is the reason I write music. I get to share all kinds of memories be bad or good all over the south. Around here I grew up Hunting, Fishing, mud riding, playing baseball and football. Typical small town in the south. I’ve been to big city’s and moved off for work in the oilfield. I guess being gone from home where it’s all you know… you start to thinking back…. it’s happened several times that you really miss being home. When you live in a small town with nothing to do but make your own fun a lot of people wish they could run off to live somewhere else and I did…it didn’t take me long to realize that maybe there wasn’t nothing to do but it’s home and always will be. I couldn’t wait to move back and I did. That’s when I started pickin’ my guitar and writing songs.
5. What’s in store for 2014? Tours etc?
2014 we are coming full speed. We’re doing some support shows for Colt Fold, Jackson Taylor, with more in the works. We’re getting invited to headline several mud rides at large ATV parks. Those are a lot of fun. We’re focusing on expanding our markets as well. Really looking forward to it. We will be playing every week somewhere this year to promote and push the new album. Maybe one day we can make it out there to play a show for you! Really looking forward to see what else is in store for us.
6. What are your ambitions for the future? Any dreams to fulfil?
My main goal is to get a publishing deal this year and a strong booking agency to help us branch out with our Country sound.
7. How would you describe your music for someone who had never heard it?
I like to call our music “Country with a Kick”. We like to get loud and rowdy on stage. We have a very high energy show for not only country fans but music fans all over. We like to bring back that old school outlaw country sound of yesterday brought up to speed and cranked up to eleven.
8. Tell me a little bit about you; when are you most at peace?
When I’m not on the road or hunting and fishing, I’m a family man. I have a beautiful fiancé and 2 amazing daughters my 3 year old Rayley and my new 4 month old Brooklyn. They are the reason I play country music. I promised them the world and I won’t stop till they have it.
9. Tell me something about you that’ll surprise people.
I love to cook. It’s not just a clever last name!! I love to grill and boil crawfish but I’m actually a better cook on the stove or outdoor kitchen. I wear an apron that says “Kiss The Cooke” hahaha. Just kidding!
