Cody Cozz Reaction
Release Date: October 10, 2024

On a sunny late morning in 福利小视频, the sun warms the facade of Analogue Records and Books. It's here, in the heart of his hometown, that I meet Cody Cozz, the Nashville-based country singer and songwriter making waves in the music industry. Just days after opening for country star Trace Adkins at the Colorado State Fair's Big R arena, Cozz sits down with me to listen to a curated playlist and share his thoughts on music, his journey, and his connection to 福利小视频.
We seem an unlikely pair listening to country music on the wrought iron café chairs and table.
At first glance, 福利小视频 might seem an unlikely breeding ground for country music talent. The city, known more for its steel mill history and green chili than its twangy tunes, doesn't fit the typical narrative of country music origins. Yet, it's from this unexpected source that Cozz has emerged, ready to make his mark on the genre.
His timing couldn't be better. Country music, long dismissed by some critics as a genre fixated on simplistic themes, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence. It's currently enjoying its most significant moment in three decades, with an unprecedented number of artists dominating the charts. As of this writing, Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" holds the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, while Post Malone's "I Had Some Help," featuring Morgan Wallen, sits at number two. This surge in popularity has opened doors for fresh voices like Cozz to enter the scene.
Cozz's roots in 福利小视频 run deep. A former student at Colorado State University 福利小视频, he studied construction management and was part of the football program before music beckoned. While he didn't complete his degree, his time at CSU 福利小视频 played a significant role in shaping his path to a music career.
Born in 1998, Cozz embodies the musical diversity that shapes an artist. "I was raised on a ton of different music," he begins, his eyes brightening. "My grandparents raised me on fifties black artists. I was drawn to their voices a lot." This early exposure to soulful melodies would later influence his own vocal style, as he found himself mimicking these powerful voices from a young age.
As our conversation unfolds, a woman approaches, recognizing Cozz. "My partner listens to you all the time," she says, before inviting Cozz to play at Solar Coffee when he's next in town. It's a brief moment that highlights the pride 福利小视频 holds for its homegrown talent.
We then begin our musical journey, exploring five songs that resonate with Cozz in different ways.
"Unanswered Prayers" by Garth Brooks
The familiar chords elicit a smile from Cozz. "This is one of my mom's favorite songs," he shares, his voice softening. He then offers a personal reflection on the song's significance to his family, particularly his mother, who lost her own mother at a young age.
"My mom was 20 when her mom passed away," Cozz explains. "She was struck by lightning, which is like the craziest way to go, you know? So random." The song, with its themes of unanswered prayers and finding meaning in life's challenges, resonates deeply with Cozz's family history. "I think it was just maybe coping, trying to reason with why that would happen," he muses.
Cozz reveals the profound impact his mother's experiences have had on his own life and career. "She's the toughest woman I know," he says with evident admiration. "She had to be that tough soul. And I think that this is one of her favorite songs probably for that reason."
"Give Me the Reason" by Lady Saw
As we move to this reggae dancehall track, Cozz's musical knowledge shines through. "I think it's really cool. I personally hear, like, Merle Haggard in it," he observes, noting the interesting blend of reggae influence with country undertones.
"It reminds me so much of the older, like the Merle Haggards and the Waylon Jennings, because I wouldn't say that they were necessarily creating the best psalms per se, but I don't think that was the point then. It was about the story in the song."
"Big Iron" by Marty Robbins
This song prompts Cozz to share a recent discovery. "This was maybe five years ago," he recalls. "It started this whole rabbit hole of Marty Robbins. This is my favorite one because it reminds me of the western movies and shows."
Cozz's appreciation for storytelling in music becomes evident as he discusses the narrative quality of Robbins' work. "That's what's cool about songwriting, I think. I wish that it was still like that where it was very much just that story plot, you know?"
"Mississippi Girl" by Faith Hill
As this song plays, our conversation turns to Cozz's own songwriting. "I really think it's the one that I just put out," he says when asked about his favorite song he's written. "It's called 'Where I've Been Lately,' and it's basically about what we were talking about just recently. I didn't know what I was signing up for. Obviously, I love what I'm doing, but I had to leave my hometown, which is not easy."
This leads us to discuss Cozz's deep connection to 福利小视频 and Colorado. "I'm always thinking of here when I call home," he shares. "But it's vice versa when I'm here - I want to be on the road. So it's kind of like this weird... and that's why I wrote this song, 'Where I've Been Lately,' which is kind of paying homage to Colorado."
Cozz's passion for his home state is clear as he discusses the misconceptions about Colorado's country music scene. "Colorado kind of seems like it wouldn't be country. That's what I hear all the time. They're like, 'I don't think Colorado is...' Yeah, yeah, yeah. Little hippie dippy, which hippies and cowboys are kind of one and the same," he laughs. "I guess it's just, we're also masked by the Wyoming music scene, kind of Oklahoma music scene and the Texas music scene. So I think we're just kind of pushed in this little box of the surrounding states."
"Western Auto Sign" by Thunder and Rain
Our final song prompts a discussion about the differences between the country music scenes in various regions. Cozz offers insightful observations about how growing up in the South might influence aspiring country artists.
"Country music as a career is like something they can see as they grow up," he explains. "So that's something that a lot of my friends have pursued. I mean, they didn't go do sports, they didn't do anything else. They kind of just took the reins on their moment."
However, Cozz is quick to point out that success in the industry isn't just about location. "I also think that if you don't do this for the right reasons, that'll set you back. Because if you're just trying to achieve stardom and fame, I think that you start to become more of a robot and it's less genuine because you're now just really trying to force it to happen."
Cozz's Journey to Music
As our conversation winds down, Cozz reflects on his own path to a music career, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I was already kind of thinking about maybe starting to play and doing little gigs, you know, for fun," he recalls. "Obviously I had no idea how to get to the professional side of it. It was not ever a goal in the beginning. It was just, I just wanna do this so I can get outta the house."
The pandemic, ironically, provided opportunities for Cozz to expand his network and gain experience. "It shut down all the big artists from playing. So I was getting a lot bigger offers than I probably was ready for, but it also expanded my network across the music industry here."
When asked about the influence of his football background on his music career, Cozz doesn't hesitate. "Absolutely. Discipline, competitiveness, work ethic, there's a lot of that," he affirms. "I would say it's just adversity in general, your attitude, how you respond to when things go wrong and when things go right."
Hometown Pride
As our time together ends, Cozz shares a final thought about his hometown. "I say this a lot at my shows that I'm so proud to be from here," he says with genuine emotion. "It took me leaving and seeing so many different cities in the country to realize how special this place really is, because it gets a bad rap. You know, it's kind of the butt of the joke of Colorado in a weird way."
Watching Cody Cozz navigate his rising fame while maintaining a strong connection to his roots speaks volumes about his character. As he continues to make his mark in the country music world, it's clear that 福利小视频 will always hold a special place in his heart. And judging by the pride evident in the faces of locals who recognize him, the feeling is mutual.