Country Singer Gets Emotional Over Kid Rock Cover

Cody Johnson Praises Kid Rock’s ‘Til You Can’t Cover

Country singer Cody Johnson has described an emotional reaction to seeing Kid Rock perform and release a modified version of his hit “’Til You Can’t,” saying he fully supported the idea after Kid Rock asked for his blessing. Johnson discussed the situation on the Rodeo Time With Dale Brisby podcast, outlining how the collaboration came together and why he felt comfortable approving changes to the song.

Johnson noted that Kid Rock debuted his revised take on the track after stepping in for him at Arizona’s Hondo Rodeo Fest last November, and Billboard reported that Kid Rock later requested permission to officially release the version, which adds a faith-referencing verse and went on to become Kid Rock’s first No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.

According to Johnson, Warner Records Nashville head Ms. Cris Lacy told him Kid Rock wanted his approval, and Johnson said he first checked in on what songwriters Mr. Ben Stennis and Mr. Matt Rogers thought about the idea. Johnson said Lacy told him the writers did not want to sign off unless he also supported it, which he described as respectful.

Johnson also recalled Kid Rock explaining that he did not want to suggest the original was lacking, but felt the added lyric about God fit his interpretation of the message. The conversation has drawn attention after Kid Rock’s Turning Point USA-related performance, which Alternative Nation previously covered when Kid Rock emotionally sang for Charlie Kirk during the event weekend.

Johnson said he watched the performance and “had tears in my eyes,” adding that it was surreal hearing Kid Rock sing his song on such a big stage. With Johnson’s comments now public, the story highlights how a major country hit crossed into Christian chart territory through an artist-approved rewrite rather than an unauthorized cover.