Cody Johnson has built a solid career on a handful of touching country songs, including the heartfelt hit, “Dirt Cheap.” But, it turns out, it was another big name who had the chance to record it first — Luke Combs.
Johnson revealed that nugget of information earlier this month, during his stop at SiriusXM The Highway’s Music Row Happy Hour: CMA Fest Edition live from Chief’s on Broadway in Nashville. While opening up about the country ballad, the 39-year-old Texan revealed that Combs unknowingly passed on the song before it ultimately landed in his hands.
Beginning his story, the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year shared that when it comes to selecting songs for his albums, he intentionally avoids learning who wrote them because he wants to choose the ones that he believes are the “best.”
“When it comes to the songwriters, man, when I’m picking songs, I don’t want to know who the songwriter is because I might be biased,” Johnson told the audience. “I want the best song to win.”
However, Johnson admitted that developing relationships with trusted songwriters can sometimes change that selection process.
“When you make relationships with guys like Josh Phillips, and he starts feeding you songs through a text message thread, you’re like, ‘How many more of them you got, bud?’” he added.
That’s when Johnson revealed that Phillips had originally sent “Dirt Cheap” to Combs.
“This song was sent to Luke Combs, and Luke’s dumbass didn’t open the text message,” Johnson joked, drawing laughs from the crowd. “We were duck hunting in Mississippi, and he said, ‘I could kill you for that song ‘Dirt Cheap.’”
Released on March 11, 2024, as the second single from Johnson’s album Leather, “Dirt Cheap” centers around a cotton farmer who rejects an offer to sell his land to developers. Confused by his refusal, the eager buyers question how the farmer has managed to persevere through years of floods and droughts.
In response, and throughout the chorus, the farmer paints a vivid picture of the life he’s built on the property, singing, “‘Cause I got a little girl that used to swing right there / I still see her pink bow in her brown hair / She’s in the big city, but she still calls home / What’s she gonna do if she comes back, and we’re gone? / And over there, under that wide oak tree / Beneath the cross is where my best buddy’s buried / Lasted 13 huntin’ season runnin’ strong / Keep your money ’cause a man can’t leave his dog / And over there is where I got down on one knee / You can’t buy that kind of dirt cheap.”
The tune’s emotional narrative has resonated with listeners far and wide thanks to its heartfelt storytelling and traditional country sound. Written by Phillips and produced by Trent Willmon, the ear-grabbing hit went on to nab the Song of the Year honor at the 2025 Nashville Songwriter Awards. “Dirt Cheap” has since become one of Johnson’s signature hits and further solidified his reputation as one of country music’s premier traditional storytellers.
Aside from Johnson’s appearance at during SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour, the event also welcomed a star-studded lineup that included Jordan Davis, Josh Ross, Lauren Alaina, Lauren Watkins, Redferrin, Greylan James, Graham Barham, Dylan Marlowe, Tyler Nance, Waylon Wyatt, Max McNown, Jelly Roll, Russell Dickerson, Jon Pardi, Ashley Cooke, The Band Perry, Carter Faith, Stella Lefty, Koe Wetzel, Gretchen Wilson, Brandon Wisham, Zach John King, Cooper Alan, Julia Cole, Emily Anne Roberts, John Morgan and many more.
