Cody Johnson Delivered True Cowboy Country Music In Hoffman Estates, IL

Nov 13

Written By Jennifer Ashlee | Staff Writer

Cody Johnson delivered true Cowboy Country Music to the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, IL on Friday night.

This sold-out show of over 10,000 fans was jam-packed from the early evening. A sea of Cowboy hats driving lifted pickup trucks and ladies sporting boots and fringe got to the show early to fill the arena to watch the opening acts, Randall King and Randy Houser. The loyal country crowd started the show off right by signing along to every word with Randall King's “You in a Honky Tonk” and “Hey Cowgirl”. This was quickly followed by the true Country classic Randy Houser’s performance which did not disappoint in the least. The crowd took over singing hits “How Country Feels” and “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” proving that “Real Country Music” as Houser put it, “Was still alive and well and the crowd was in for a real show from headliner Cody Johnson”.

The floor of the arena could’ve been mistaken for a Texas dance hall when Johnson took the stage. This show is what cowboy country music has been missing for a long time and Johnson is the country act that will be difficult to beat. The CoJo Nation showed up in force singing along to the opening words of “Honky Tonk Hardwood Floors”, “ Ride With Me”, and even making the floor area look like Gilley’s dancehall twirling the Two-Step to “ Dance Her Home” and “ Me and My Kind”. The entire show had fans on their feet and clinched to singing every single word to an arena full of cell phone lights to the slower melodies of “ Nothin’ on You” and “ With You I Am”.

Halfway through the show, Johnson asked the crowd if this area was considered Chicago and he was met with a loud growl of Boos from the crowd who happily accepted Johnson referring to the area as Illinois followed by cheers. Johnson noted the signs in the crowd from all the fans who drove many hours from surrounding states to see this one-night show in northern Illinois.

The 90-minute performance was wrapped up with singing “Dear Rodeo” reminiscing about his earlier career in the rodeo, and his recent release “Human” from his double album. The No. 1 song “’Til You Can’t”, just performed at the CMA awards earlier this week and also won the CMA Music Video of the Year and Single of the Year. Johnson’s traditional country music sound was welcomed by the blue-collar Illinois crowd that loved every song in his set. The sold-out crowd showed a measure of his talent and 15-year climb to success and that “ Real Country Music” as CoJo says, is always welcome around these parts.