Cody is a folk-singer’s folk-singer and a poet’s poet. He was born and bred in Delavan IL, population 25, surrounded by the endless skies of the American Midwest. Before moving to Chicago in 2003, Cody tried his hand at sessions in Nashville and carefully hewed and tested his art in college town bars and honky-tonks around the Midwest. He now plays regularly in the city and it’s not uncommon to see whole rooms full of strangers erupt and sing along to the choruses of his songs on their first listen (I’ve seen it happen). Cody’s voice is powerful and gritty, emotionally piercing while subtly imbuing additional layers of meaning and poignancy in his lyrical delivery. His song-writing is deeply rooted in the American Folk tradition and all of its grit but with a post Dylan sense of wit, perspicacity and that certain savior-faire. He didn’t go to college but he drank all of their beer.
Every folk-singer has to migrate to the city, in a way it seems to be hidden in definition of a folk singer anymore. Cody has come to remind Chicago that it is in Illinois. And to remind the rest of the world that when Louis Armstrong redefined, some say invented the art of Jazz in the 1920′s he brought his Hot Fives to Chicago to do it. When Robert Johnson wanted to put his Mississippi Mud on wax, his hellhound chased him to Chicago to do it. And same like, Cody has come to Chicago to deliver what it needs, when it isn’t even sure itself. He is currently recording a collection of songs from his vast back-catalog and performing across the heartland.
7 Comments
I went to your show last night at six strings and I had a blast! You are extremely talented! I think I remember you saying that you play there every wednesday, but I’m not sure and i dont’ see it listed on your website. I hope that’s the case, you put on a great show. Thank you!
Mary
I saw you at the Southgate House in NKy. My friends tried to convince me to get your attention, but I…I just didn’t know what to say to you! I do want to take this opportunity though to say that you’re terrific and I can’t wait to see you again. Next time I won’t be so shy…I promise!
Whaddya mean, Delavan has a population of 25?? I know we dropped 133 people to the high 1600s in the last census, but 25???? Do you know something that we don’t?
Dig what I hear and was wonderin’ if you have any dates scheduled for Colorado. Hope to see you at Summer Camp as I grew up in that small Central Illinois town of Chillicothe when all we did was chase corn and dodge obstacles in the Illinois River.
I am on the board of the South Fork Music Association (Colorado) and we have a small festival in August (website above). We try to give back each year to our local food bank and a small town community center for children. This year we helped them to start a music program and raised 450 lbs of food . Look forward to hearin from you.
Scott
sounds great brother! I’m from Mokena, IL originally, live in Asheville, NC now, have a string band called the Feral Cats down here. if you ever need somewhere to jam down in the south hit us up!
Thanks for the message Scott, the festival looks great! I’m booked that weekend this year but would be happy to be a part of 2012! I’ll be in Fort Collins this Thursday and Denver this Friday! June 2nd & 3rd…Take Care!
The person who wrote my bio is referring to one of my songs called ’26 cops’ which states there’s 26 cops in Delavan, IL…Population 25!!!