Listen to the interview on the Brandom Podcast
DEADWOOD, SD — Nashville-based country artist Cody Cozz, a Pueblo, Colorado, native whose career accelerated after the live-music world reopened in recent years, said a rowdy crowd at Deadwood Mountain Grand helped him kick off the new year with momentum.
Cozz performed at the venue during the Red Dirt Festival, telling host Brandon Jones in a recent interview that winter is often a slow stretch for touring artists, making the enthusiastic response in Deadwood especially meaningful.
“It was so much fun to kick off the show,” Cozz said, adding that he opened the night and felt an energy he hadn’t seen before.
Cozz said he began playing “anywhere that would let” him soon after college, building momentum through bar shows in Colorado and exposure on social media. Encouragement from mentor Craig Campbell helped him take music more seriously and eventually relocate to Nashville, where he gained experience writing and recording alongside veteran musicians.
Cozz said he started recording in his early 20s and released his first song, “On My Way,” on June 10, 2023. He later signed a development deal with Grindstone Records, he said.
While Cozz continues to write music, he said performing remains his primary focus.
“That’s the part I fell in love with,” Cozz said. “Being in front of an audience and just seeing the smiles and seeing people just light up.”
Cozz also reflected on headlining Denver’s Grizzly Rose — a venue he first visited as a fan — calling it a full-circle moment. He noted the sacrifices that come with touring, including missed family events, but said the support of his family has made pursuing music possible.
Cozz’s music is available on major streaming platforms. He can be found on social media under Cody Cozz Music, and his website is codycozzofficial.com.
