Nashville recording artist Cody Johnson has unveiled the first taste of his upcoming double album, scheduled for release in fall 2021 — and he’s doing it alongside a true legend. The lead single is a duet with Willie Nelson, marking a powerful meeting of two generations of country music.
Johnson first heard “Sad Songs and Waltzes” over a decade ago, while watching a late-night episode of Austin City Limits that featured Nelson.
The song, “Sad Songs and Waltzes,” was written by Nelson and originally appeared on his 1973 album Shotgun Willie. Rather than reinventing the track, Johnson approached it with deep respect for its history and emotional weight.
Johnson has shared that he first discovered the song more than a decade ago while watching a late-night episode of Austin City Limits featuring Nelson — a moment that clearly stayed with him and ultimately came full circle in this collaboration.