Cody Joe Hodges
He wasn't always so self-assured and adventurous. It's been a tough and rewarding journey for Cody Joe Hodges whose original sound is now cascading through the airwaves as his new country single ‘Hellbent On Loving You’ rockets up the charts.
LAUREN: As an artist on the rise, what is one thing you are most excited about and one thing you are most afraid of happening in your career?
CODY JOE HODGES: I am most excited to share my music with the world and hope to tour the world with my music. As for being afraid of anything happening in my career, I will leave that in God's hands.
LAUREN: Your song ’Hellbent On Loving You’ is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
CODY JOE HODGES: I was very pleased and surprised whenever I heard the final production of "Hellbent On Loving You" and even more thrilled whenever I saw the response from radio. This is my first single to hit the Top 75 on the Country Music Breakout Chart on Music Row (out of Nashville) and it stayed in the Top 75 for 7 weeks!
LAUREN: What was the inspiration behind your radio single?
CODY JOE HODGES: This single was actually inspired by a wild West Texas woman. As some of you know, I write the majority of my songs with my wife, Jamie. While I was playing one night, this woman figured out who Jamie was and started to try to antagonize her. Jamie kept cool, but DID end up writing a song about her.
LAUREN: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
CODY JOE HODGES: I think just proving to the naysayers that I CAN do it, is my primary catalyst. I've been told from early on that I don't have what it takes, and believe me, if I listened to them, I would have quit over 10 years ago. Instead, I've been perfecting my craft - practicing my singing and guitar playing, improving on my live performances and songwriting, and surrounding myself with positive people.
LAUREN: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician? (Ex. Down-to-earth, serious, fun-loving, complicated…)
CODY JOE HODGES: As an artist/musician I would say I am serious because I do take my artistry seriously (I am a full-time musician), but I love to put on a high energy, fun live performance. I also like to take time out to meet my fans before and after the shows, and at that point I am down-to-earth and friendly, but it's all business when I'm onstage.
 |
LAUREN: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
CODY JOE HODGES: For the most part, I am extremely happy with my team. Of course, we have had a lot of scrapes and bruises along the way - getting involved with the wrong people, working through different personalities and goals, etc... But as of now, I feel very confident that we have a good group behind us with common goals and a shared passion for what we have in the works.
LAUREN: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
CODY JOE HODGES: I did not come from a musical background. I have a lot of "characters" in my family, but none of them are musicians. I do have a cousin that plays in a Math Rock band, but no one growing up.
LAUREN: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
CODY JOE HODGES: I love to travel and am lucky to be able to travel with my wife while doing music. I find this whole industry challenging - the booking, promotions, marketing, managing a band, everything! But, I guess that's what makes it so much fun too. I can't wait to one day look back and say "wow, look what we've accomplished".
LAUREN: Who are your role models in music?
CODY JOE HODGES: My family for sure, but I would also say George Strait, Merle Haggard and some of those guys who made music their lifelong career.
LAUREN: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
CODY JOE HODGES: I think my most memorable performance was when we played the House of Blues in Houston. The place was packed and there was a crowd in front of the stage. When we played our last song, which was a cover of "House of the Rising Sun", you could see the whole crowd swaying with the music.
LAUREN: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
CODY JOE HODGES: As I once heard Willie Nelson say, I would tell them to "quit". If they can't quit, then maybe they have a future.
LAUREN: What's next for you as an artist? Is there a new single in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
CODY JOE HODGES: We are about to release our next single and video, "God, Family & Country" and then we are going to release another fun summer song, in the next couple of months.
LAUREN: That's wonderful! Thank you so much for letting us get to know you a little better. We wish you the best of luck and continued success.