Cody Johnson's 'Travelin' Soldier' Debuts No. 12 on Billboard Hot 100

Cody Johnson Makes History with 'Travelin' Soldier' Chart Debut

In a remarkable week for country superstar Cody Johnson, the Texas native has achieved his highest Billboard Hot 100 chart position ever. His newly released studio version of "Travelin' Soldier" debuted at No. 12 on the prestigious Hot 100 chart, cementing his status as one of contemporary country music's most dominant forces. The track also claimed the top spot as the most-streamed country song of the week while simultaneously reaching No. 11 across all genres globally.

This unprecedented success follows three years of fan requests for a studio recording of the song, which Johnson originally shared as an acoustic cover. "The fans responded so enthusiastically and began requesting it during our live shows so it's remained on the set list," Johnson explained in a statement. "I had no idea that it was going to give me the opportunity to hear, see, and bring words to y'all's stories." The studio version has amassed nearly 15 million global streams in its first week alone, debuting at No. 8 on Spotify's Weekly Top Songs USA chart and landing in the Top 10 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.

Honoring Veterans with iHeartCountry Takeover

As "Travelin' Soldier" soars on the charts, Johnson is simultaneously paying tribute to U.S. military veterans with a special one-hour iHeartCountry Artist Takeover. The event will air nationwide on all iHeartRadio country stations from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. local time on Veterans Day (November 11). Listeners can tune in via traditional radio or through the free iHeartRadio app.

This initiative follows a tradition of country artists honoring veterans through song, with Johnson joining peers like Brothers Osborne, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, and Luke Bryan in recognizing military service. Johnson's own catalog includes veteran-focused tracks like "The Fall," while the "Travelin' Soldier" studio release serves as a powerful anthem that resonates deeply with the military community. The takeover will feature Johnson's personal stories behind the song along with tributes to veterans.

CMA Awards Momentum and Future Projects

Johnson's chart triumph coincides with an impressive run at the 59th Annual CMA Awards, where he secured four nominations including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Music Event of the Year for his collaboration with Carrie Underwood on "I'm Gonna Love You." The awards ceremony will be broadcast live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on November 19th.

While "Travelin' Soldier" dominates streaming platforms, Johnson's current radio single "The Fall" continues its climb at country radio, currently sitting in the Top 25. The track, written by Bobby Pinson, Jeremy Stover & Ray Fulcher, serves as the second single from his "Leather Deluxe Edition" album. With his CMA nominations, chart-topping success, and special Veterans Day tribute, Johnson demonstrates his unique ability to blend commercial appeal with authentic storytelling that resonates deeply with fans across the country.

"I knew at some point, when the time felt right, we needed to record it in the studio. And that time is now COJO Nation!" - Cody Johnson on "Travelin' Soldier"