Cody Johnson Reveals What George Strait Said That ‘Meant the World to Me’

Cody Johnson will never forget the first time he got to sit down and have a real conversation with George Strait. It happened at Clemson University’s Memorial Stadium, in South Carolina, earlier in 2026, when Johnson was opening for the country king.

According to Country Now, Johnson got the chance to spend about 30 minutes with Strait on Strait's bus.

What Did George Strait and Cody Johnson Talk About?

It wasn’t some big, formal conversation about music or careers. Instead, the two Texans talked about the things they had in common.

Johnson said, "I got to go sit on the bus with George and have a 30-minute conversation about nothing. We talked about golf and cattle, you know, and being from Texas."

But what Strait said to Johnson before they parted ways is something the "Horseback" singer says he will carry with him forever.

George Strait to Cody Johnson: 'Son, You're Doing It The Right Way'

Johnson said, "To hear George Strait say to me, ‘Son, you’re doing it the right way. Don’t change anything you’re doing here. You’re doing it the right way. Man, I’m proud of you, and you’re representing Texas, you’re representing country music well, you’re representing cowboys well.’ It just meant the world to me."

For Johnson, the moment was more than a compliment from a country legend.

Coming from Strait, whose career has helped define what traditional country music can look and sound like, the words served as validation that Johnson was staying true to himself and the music that he wanted to make.

READ MORE: Ex-Cop Frank Ray Reveals He Once ‘Saved George Strait’s Life’ [EXCLUSIVE]

Cody Johnson Is a Legitimate Cowboy

Johnson is one of the most legitimate cowboys that make country music. He didn’t adopt the cowboy lifestyle after becoming a country star; it was part of his life way before his music career took off.

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He competed in bull riding, giving him firsthand experience with the rodeo world he now sings about. That background is a big reason why his cowboy identity feels authentic rather than like an image created for his music career.