Nashville wanted Cody Johnson to ditch his cowboy hat before giving him a shot at country music stardom.The Texas-born country star said he walked away from a record deal after executives suggested he swap his signature cowboy look for a baseball cap — a move he viewed as a demand to change who he was before he could make it in the music business."They wanted a baseball cap, which I have nothing against, but it was the approach.It was the 'you're great, but once we change you, you'll make it.' And it pissed me off," he said in an interview with "CBS Mornings." "I tipped my hat and said, 'Thank you for your time.'"CARRIE UNDERWOOD SAYS HER FAMILY COULD BE 'SELF-SUSTAINED' ON TENNESSEE FARM AWAY FROM HOLLYWOOD SPOTLIGHTCody Johnson performs onstage during the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, on May 17, 2026.
(John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)It was a gamble that could have cost him his shot at stardom.Instead, Johnson spent the next 10 years building a career on his own terms, playing bars and honky-tonks before becoming one of country music's biggest stars.During his interview, Johnson spoke candidly about his rise to fame and the years of work behind his success.COUNTRY SINGER CODY JOHNSON FORCED TO STOP 'GOD BLESS AMERICA' PERFORMANCE AS VIOLENT BRAWL BREAKS OUTLong before arena crowds and industry recognition, the singer was a small-town Texas kid who dreamed of becoming a rodeo star.Country music star Cody Johnson revealed he walked away from a Nashville record-label opportunity after executives pushed him to trade his signature cowboy hat for a baseball cap.(Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)He eventually traded bull riding for music after years of injuries and setbacks and selling CDs in rodeo parking lots as he tried to build a following.The country star also struggled to believe his ambitions were within reach.THOMAS RHETT REVEALS WHY HE AND WIFE LAUREN REJECT CELEBRITY PERKS FOR COUNTRY LIFE"Truthfully,...