That Damn Cody Jinks Just Sold Out Consecutive Nights at the Ryman
The remarkable grassroots ascent of Cody Jinks continues, and has just set yet another milestone. As much of the media appears clueless to the completely-independent groundswell the Ft. Worth native has created around his music, Cody Jinks is quickly accumulating the type of crowd numbers and accomplishments reserved only for the very top flight of independent artists, and that many upstarting mainstream acts would love to achieve.
In recent years, concerts at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville have become an important bellwether for just how well a band or artist is doing in the grander scheme. Also known affectionately as the Mother Church of Country Music for hosting the Grand Ole Opry for many years (and it still does sometimes in the winter), trying to fill the 125-year-old landmark with its 2,362-seat capacity is one of the biggest tests a country music artist can take. Can they sell the building out? Can they perhaps do it on multiple nights?
Well Cody Jinks just did it two times over. Filling the first night to capacity on Friday, October 20th, and doing the same for his Saturday, October 21st show, that’s an accomplishment that should put him on the radar of many in the very heart of Music City. Where many 2nd tier Nashville mainstream stars would love to fill the Ryman to capacity even once, a non Nashville native whose center of gravity is the Texas scene is doing it back to back. Regular touring compadre Ward Davis and singer/songwriter Sunny Sweeney were the openers for the sold-out shows. Whitey Morgan and Jamey Johnson also made an appearances on stage.
Last year about this time, Cody Jinks sold out multiple shows at Nashville’s mid-sized 3rd and Lindsley venue, setting the table for this important Ryman run. Meanwhile Cody Jinks is headlining festivals and selling out shows all across the country, and doing it without the help of mainstream radio. Instead he’s assembled one of the most fervent grassroots fan bases in all of American music by releasing quality records and songs, growing his base through social media, and often showing up to personally greet and hang out with his fans before and after shows.
On Wednesday, October 4th, another Texas country artist, Aaron Watson, played The Ryman to a capacity crowd, and transformed the show into a hurricane benefit. On his way up the ranks, Sturgill Simpson played some pretty legendary sold out shows at the Ryman as well. Jason Isbell, who is a Nashville resident who’s played The Ryman many times before, sold out an incredible six-night residency at the venue recently. But to see someone like Cody Jinks blow in from Texas and pull off the twin sold-out feat is pretty incredible, and is another marker on his remarkable ascent.
October 22, 2017 @ 8:36 am
Wow 2000 plus seats, never been, looks smaller on t.v, he has a line in one of his songs, ” you never know who you are talking to” that struck me the first time I heard it!
October 22, 2017 @ 2:42 pm
You never know who you’re talkin’ to
But always know who’s watching you
Keep your fate movin’ straight down the line
October 22, 2017 @ 8:41 am
All quality artists that I listen to regularly!
October 22, 2017 @ 8:46 am
Jinks records are good but he converts everyone in the house when you see him live.
October 23, 2017 @ 6:29 pm
It was seeing him live that really got me addicted! Quite an experience!
October 22, 2017 @ 8:56 am
Jamey made an appearance Friday and whitey Saturday
October 22, 2017 @ 9:03 am
How many of his fans traveled for these show?
Personally, I feel the Ryman would be way too stuff for his fans/show. I like beer bottles whizzing past my head and fights when I go to a Jinx show, not a fucking pew. No way I could sit in a fucking pew!
October 22, 2017 @ 9:24 am
There were people from literally all over the world. Met a guy from Australia one from Scotland and a few others from Europe. Not to mention most states were represented. The whole weekend was electric and we let this town know that there is without a market for real country music. Definitely a neat thing to be a part of.
October 22, 2017 @ 10:51 am
I got that feeling people traveled for these shows. He did a great job marketing them on social media and I think people where like, “I like Jinks, I’ve always wanted to go the Ryman.”
I knew someone at Isbell every night he played (posting on social media). I didn’t know anyone who went to Jinks.
October 22, 2017 @ 11:07 am
I’ve traveled across state lines to see Jinks. And by the way, he doesn’t tolerate fighting at his concerts. At the show I went to he quit playing in the middle of a song when a fight broke out, and refused to start again until they stopped.
October 22, 2017 @ 11:36 am
That irritates that fuck out of me when an artist does that.
October 22, 2017 @ 11:42 am
Why?
October 22, 2017 @ 5:32 pm
I think the artists owes it to the other paying fans to not stop a song to break-up a fight. Leave it for security.
October 22, 2017 @ 2:10 pm
Just what I want to do, go to a show so I can get hit in the head with a beer bottle or punched by some drunk idiot. If I wanted To do that, I would go to a Luke Bryan or Florida Georgia lines show
October 22, 2017 @ 2:51 pm
I think Hoptown is trolling. I saw Cody Jinks at a sold out show in Atlanta and the crowd was pretty mellow. Country as hell, but mellow. So were he and Ward. Just kind of looked like they were having a blast.
October 22, 2017 @ 5:39 pm
Most beer bottles are plastic in venues today so I doesn’t hurt too bad.
I saw Jinks in June and no fights. It was a very good crowd. A month prior, same venue though for Old Crow Medicine Show, two major fights. OCM did not stop their songs to call attention to the fights. In between songs Secor did say “the Iron City must be pouring tonight!”
I prefer venues with a little edge, some character, some mashing, and artist behind a net.
October 23, 2017 @ 6:58 am
Hoptowntiger94 — just spit balling here but it sounds like your ideal bar/beer joint is the one from the movie The Blues Brothers! haha I love it.
October 29, 2017 @ 7:34 pm
You would have loved the Troubadours show in Atlanta last night. A bunch of fucking drunks ruining it for everyone around them.
October 22, 2017 @ 1:53 pm
Who sits at a Cody Jinks show! We were on our feet the entire night!! He played one hell of a show! #flocker #flockernation #flocker1008
October 22, 2017 @ 5:41 pm
On Trig’s FB someone posted a cool video of everyone standing and singing.
October 22, 2017 @ 4:31 pm
I flew in from Sweden, many fans standing for the whole 2 hour show!
October 22, 2017 @ 4:33 pm
I traveled with my wife from new York for these 2 shows
Both amazing nights and fantastic energy in the building
October 23, 2017 @ 6:32 pm
Cody Jinks does not appreciate fights at his shows. He makes that very clear!
October 23, 2017 @ 7:42 pm
There’s nothin’ like a steel guitar cryin’ in the night
There’s nothin’ like a sawdust floor and a good old friendly fight
October 22, 2017 @ 9:03 am
Went to 3 of the Isbell shows last week. they were really good. I went to both nights with Sunny/Ward/Cody and they just blew the lid off. It was just a magical atmosphere. I have seen Cody many times and he never disappoints. But seeing Ward Davis live was amazing as well.
October 22, 2017 @ 9:29 am
I don’t see this as being that big of an accomplishment. Not to take anything away from him, but finding just over 5,000 people within a couple hundred miles drive of the venue who are fans, in a heavily populated area of the country, for a show in in “Music City,” doesn’t surprise me in the least. Some of these people were dragged there with someone else who wanted to go, some went to see Sunny, or Ward, or, Jamey, or Whitey. I guess my point is, it sold out, of course it did!
October 22, 2017 @ 9:49 am
I flew in from MN, and I’m middle of the road for distances. I met a guy who came from Australia at the show. He was there FOR the show, not a bachelorette party.
October 22, 2017 @ 9:54 am
You are incorrect. This was a big deal for a lot of reasons. It was an awesome show. Unbelievable. There were people here that traveled from Scotland and Australia and all over the US for this. Flock on!
October 22, 2017 @ 10:24 am
So he needed people from “Scotland and Australia and all over the US” to fill those seats? He deserves more credit than that.
October 22, 2017 @ 11:07 am
You realize he could have easily sold out 2-3 more? Not to mention it’s the historic Ryman Auditorium. As far as people coming from all over the United States and beyond, that’s a sign of respect not desperation for ticket sales. Educate yourself please.
October 22, 2017 @ 12:37 pm
That’s the point.
October 22, 2017 @ 12:14 pm
The shows were immediate sell outs as soon as the tickets were available! He’s that good. We had to buy split seats and my hubby bought the minute the window to buy opened. Cody could have sold out a weeks worth of shows!
Priceless event. The passion and emotion were indescribable.
October 22, 2017 @ 9:30 am
Cody is the best thing going in country music right now. Not only are his music and shows incredible, but he’s also the most likeable guy you’ll ever meet…and you WILL meet him if you go to a show. He’s the future if you ask me.
October 22, 2017 @ 11:04 am
You realize he could have easily sold out 2-3 more? Not to mention it’s the historic Ryman Auditorium. As far as people coming from all over the United States and beyond, that’s a sign of respect not desperation for ticket sales. Educate yourself please.
October 22, 2017 @ 11:06 am
Wrong reply lol ^^^. Tired from driving 250+ miles to see the show.
October 22, 2017 @ 11:15 am
“…and you WILL meet him if you go to a show.” That actually true! I once walked into a bar before a show, and lo and behold there was Cody Jinks sitting on bar stool. I briefly talking to him, but he didn’t seem like he wanted to say much, so I just let him be. Ward was fun to talk to though. Fun fact, I live in the town where Ward was born and raised and even work in the same office that his dad retired from.
October 22, 2017 @ 9:37 am
Spoony, fans flew and drove in from everywhere,and guests weren’t announced. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
October 22, 2017 @ 10:21 am
Opening certainly acts were announced prior to the show. Nice try. Flying and driving “in from everywhere” has what to do with anything? There aren’t just over 5,000 people within 200mi of Nashville who would pay for the opportunity to see one of the best shows out there right now? Of course there are.
October 22, 2017 @ 11:18 am
The shows sold out and there were people in attendance who drove or flew long distances. There were probably some from 200 miles, or less. Hopefully from “across the highway”, to prove to the idiots in suits that good music is real.
He’s such a friendly guy I hope it doesn’t get to him and he sells out to the fame.
October 22, 2017 @ 11:57 am
Most of the locals I talked to didn’t know much about Cody. His fans are dedicated underground Grass Roots folks who know and have been following him for years. The word is just starting to get out to the mainstream even without any industry support.
October 23, 2017 @ 8:47 am
I bet you’re a blast to hang out with Spoony. You negative Nancy.
October 23, 2017 @ 10:38 am
Opening act was announced, Johnson/Morgan (guests)were not.
October 22, 2017 @ 10:09 am
Friday night was the best show I’ve ever seen. So glad for all 3 of the artist and the job that they did. Thank you for making real country music in a town that’s turning out garbage on a daily basis and calling it country.
October 22, 2017 @ 10:20 am
Just had to say… I was there, and it was electric. Hopefully some people on the other side of the highway took notice.
Yes, there were many out of towners (myself included), but for that many people to make what amounted to a pilgrimage is something.
October 22, 2017 @ 10:41 am
A non mainstream artist sells out multiple nights in the belly of the mainstream country beast. Pretty damned impressive. The impact the Texas Red Dirt music scene is having nationwide is something to behold. Go Cody Jinks go!
October 22, 2017 @ 11:04 am
I really wish a a bunch of them would come to Sint Maarten in the Caribbean and do a benefit concert for our island after hurricane Irma devistatated my island…what do you think Cody Jinks?
October 22, 2017 @ 11:07 am
Radio has 0 to do with his popularity! His music and personality are what drives his fans, not a marketing campaign selling BS calling it steak.
October 22, 2017 @ 11:54 am
Saw him in Asbury Park a few months ago. One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. Said as much on his Facebook and got a sweet reply. Fuck mainstream radio, this man is amazing. And his band is super tight. Now, if he would only add a fiddle…
October 22, 2017 @ 12:19 pm
That lead guitar is hot, but not for “Louisiana Man”. Go Cody Jinks! He is my favorite. My wife and I were watching him in smokey bar rooms years ago. But now the crowd is a whole lot bigger.
October 22, 2017 @ 12:08 pm
Flew in from Wisconsin…..Brought the family. My 11 and 14 year old will be able to say their mom and dad took them to see Cody at the Ryman….No regrets and NO WORDS…..great night
October 23, 2017 @ 1:51 am
That’s awesome Brad. I wish I could have grown up on music like this. Took me longer to find it than I would have liked.
October 23, 2017 @ 5:55 am
Father of the Year shit right here. Well done, Brad!!
October 22, 2017 @ 12:28 pm
So great. I couldn’t make the Ryman work this time but I will not miss him again. Amazing that he already has that much grass roots love.
October 22, 2017 @ 4:37 pm
Trigger, do you know if ANY other UNSIGNED artists have topped the bill @ The Ryman? I consider this event a MILESTONE. I flew in from Stockholm, SWEDEN and enjoyed every minute. Nice to JJ and Whitey pay tribute to Cody by singing duets. This type of event will probably NOT happen again during my lifetime…
October 22, 2017 @ 5:08 pm
I’m not sure if it’s fair to characterize Cody Jinks as completely “unsigned.” Like Jason Isbell (who’s also sold out the Ryman on multiple nights), Cody is working with Thirty Tigers, which isn’t a traditional record label, but is a distribution company that gives them representation like a label. That’s not to take anything away from this accomplishment. I understand how some would say, “Well jeez, so he sells 5,500 seats. Luke Bryan sells 20,000 a night.” But as I tried to illustrate in the article, selling out The Ryman is actually a big litmus test in Nashville and country music. Once you can do that, it can open up other touring opportunities you may have not been afforded before. And since it’s right there in Music City, it’s hard for the industry to not take notice.
October 22, 2017 @ 6:06 pm
Also, as you said above, Aaron Watson just sold it out a couple of weeks ago (although I think the way it was billed as a “Night of Texas” with three other Texas performers helped).
October 22, 2017 @ 5:03 pm
Cody is a class act and he is very talented The fact that he did not need mainstream radio to promote him and he sold out two nights in a row is quite an accoplishment there initself. Over the years I had many opportunities to sit and talk with Cody (I’m friends with his cousin) and hearing his music I knew not only was he good but he was one who was going to make it. he has the voice and talent. Not to mention he’s one heck of a absolutely nice man!
Keep it up Cody!!! So proud watching you!!! Makes me grin ear to ear!! Keep it rolling!!!!
October 23, 2017 @ 5:53 am
Hard to believe it was just 3 years ago I saw Cody, and Whitey, in a little dive bar. Maybe 100 people there. They both just killed it, but, for whatever reason, Cody’s set just resonated with me, and the group I was with. Big fan now, tried to get tix to one of the Ryman shows. Didn’t happen, sold out way too quickly.
October 23, 2017 @ 5:58 am
I think its time for Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen to make a Ryman run. I saw them in a smaller venue in Nashville and it sold out.
October 23, 2017 @ 6:53 am
A little bit of history before my comment. My original music fan background was in the jamband world, and specifically I got into Phish in the late 90’s when i was in high school. By then they were already selling out arenas, even without a major label, and zero radio play. In talking with other fans, and reading up on all the Phish history, you were able to get a real sense of the birth and growth of Phish. As a Phish fan, you knew that what you were witnessing was beyond special, and how lucky you were to be a part of it. For many Phish fans, being a Phishead defined who you were, and you knew that wasnt crazy, as so many others felt it, and the band reciprocated it
To me there is a very similar feeling around Cody Jinks and his crowd. The fans are unbelievably dedicated to him, on a level that is much higher than most artists and their fanbase. In return, you can see how dedicated and appreciative that Cody is of his fanbase. As a fan, when you are in the building, it truly feels as if he is playing 100% for you, and pouring everything he has into it. It is truly a special feeling, one that i have rarely seen outside of Phish, and not in other music genres.
beyond amazed at the last 2 nights at the Ryman. Someone was commenting earlier that somehow people traveling to the show to sell it out, takes away from it. On the contrary, I assume that when these shows were announced, like myself, there were hundreds or thousands of fans from all over the country and world, who said, there is no way I am missing that. so blessed to have found Cody Jinks, and than you Trigger for constantly writing about him, or I might have never heard of him.
October 23, 2017 @ 11:20 am
My oldest son introduced him to me by playing “Alone”. He said his wife told him the song reminded her of “your Dad”, I was blown away. So I also looked it up on you tube and found this….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wic_FOXGzWQ
So personable, and real, not image driven but real with substance
October 23, 2017 @ 7:24 am
My wife is a Flocker. LOL
Last time we saw Cody, we were walking down the street, my wife had my CJ shirt on (LOL), and she gets tapped on the shoulder. “Nice Shirt!”. It was Cody.
If it wasn’t for having tickets to Tyler Childers this weekend twice, we probably would’ve been in Nashville!
(Watch out world.. TC is on his way. Two amazing shows. He gave me a music high. Only way to explain it)
October 23, 2017 @ 7:41 am
I’ve been to a lot of shows, but this was one of the best. Very enthusiastic crowd. Never sat down during Jink’s show. Ward and Cody were blown away by the crowd and doing the Ryman. I love seeing songwriters that don’t know how popular and important they are realize they have made it. I’ll remember this night for a long time.
October 23, 2017 @ 11:12 pm
That Damn Cody Jinks and his crazy Flockers took over downtown Nashville this weekend , and it was amazing to be a part of that madness -Cody Jinks makes the music he wants to , he is an independent artist by choice, which gives him freedom to do what he wants – big record companies should take note to give your artists -freedom to make the kind of music they want – and don’t force feed them crappy songs with meaningless lyrics and even worse music to put with it !! The Outlaw music movement is back , and old Waylon , Willie and Johnny would be proud !! Flocker #624
October 24, 2017 @ 9:00 am
I was there. Left Kentucky Friday night and met friends at Layla’s. Friends I never met before. Complete strangers who became some of my best friends.
The show on Saturday night was incredible. The place was packed and rocking from start to finish. Cody’s family was there and if you weren’t there you just don’t understand the beauty of the event for everyone there.
There was a guy at Layla’s who plays music locally who stopped me after the show. He said, “That shirt! That guy! You people took over this place for the last 3 days and you all made this an incredible weekend for many people locally.” He had never heard of Cody and his Flockers before the weekend started but he took notice and was hooked by the time it was over.
To end this, if you don’t like him, that’s on you. With that said, don’t dismiss the fact that 3 unsigned artists sold out the Rhyman for 2 nights in a row or that those tickets were really difficult to come by. I was blessed to be there and as I stated above, you wouldn’t understand if you weren’t there.
Flocker 5521
October 24, 2017 @ 9:25 am
Saw Cody Jinks and Whitey Morgan at the Roxy Theater in Hollywood some time back. Pretty dang gritty crowd showed up there. They blasted the place. Wasn’t a fan of Cody before that concert but he converted me after that show. Cody just sounds 5X more amazing live. Met his Dad too who was showing support from the audience pit.
October 25, 2017 @ 2:52 pm
To me Cody Jinks is a loner in TX. He plays the same places as everyone else in the TX scene but you never see him hanging out with all the other guys.
October 29, 2017 @ 3:17 pm
He doesnt trust the process and either do I.