What makes Southern rock so special is that it has its roots in classic rock yet has not forgotten the honest lyrics that make country music appealing.
Singer/songwriter Cody Jinks got his start in a metal band. What drew him to heavy metal was that it has more of a "do it yourself" kind of spirit. "It's purer to me," Jinks stated.
He continued, "It spoke to me, just the aggressiveness, just being able to get up there and you know the young punks and young metalheads used to call it, just get up there in rage, which just means get up there and rock out. It's a healthy way to express, and it's therapeutic."
But truthfully, country music was Jinks' first love. When he was 16, Jinks received a Fender Squier Stratocaster for his birthday, and, of course, he wanted to rock, but the first song he learned to play was Lefty Frizzell's "Long Black Veil."
Since he began writing music, he has primarily written country songs, but performs them with a rock 'n' roll edge. And his fans adore him for it.
But Jinks' foray into the Nashville music scene was not a positive one. The Fort Worth native explained, "You don't know the sharks from the snakes. And it's difficult because once you become untrusting, it's not easy to trust anybody. And there's been enough people in this town that have fed me lines of BS that you just think, 'Well, screw it.'"
He left town and began to do things his way. In 2010, Jinks released the album Less Wise, which contained the massive hits "Hippies and Cowboys" and "Somewhere in the Middle," firmly placing the rocker on the map. But it was in 2015, when he released the album Adobe Sessions, that his fan base exploded.
The song "Loud and Heavy" from the record has had almost 500 million streams and is certified as double platinum. The "Mamma Song" off the album has also done quite well. Then, in 2018, "Must Be the Whiskey" further cemented Jinks' well-deserved place in the country-rock genre. I am sure a few Nashville record executives are kicking themselves in the a$$ for underestimating the former metalhead.
Jinks agreed, "Our fans are unbelievable. They are different, like Slayer fans, except for the country music equivalent. It's awesome."
I was able to witness the fan loyalty at the sold-out FirstBank Amphitheater, south of Nashville. They were a force to be reckoned with and knew all the words to all the songs.
Jinks explained, "Our fans aren't getting our music shoved down their throat by mainstream radio from a record label that's in bed with other record labels and trading hits. Our fans come out because they believe in me. They believe in what I've been doing for the past 20 years. They've grown up with me. They've raised their kids on my music. They've had weddings and funerals with my music as a part of their lives."
Now, following the release of Lifers in 2018, Mercy in 2021, and Change the Game and Backside of 30 in 2024, Jinks has released his highly anticipated album, In My Blood.
When talking about the new album, he explained, "You know I got sober a few years back, and it has made everything better. It has affected my whole life, but particularly my music. There's just this feeling of I'm in a better chapter in my life. I don't know if I'm writing better. I'm writing differently. And I think that's growth. And I hope that my best work is yet to come."
Jinks states that In My Blood is his favorite record to date. He categorizes it alongside his best-selling albums, Less Wise and Adobe Sessions.
Ahead of the album release, he released the singles "Found," which speaks of redemption, "Better Than the Bottle," a traditional country tune about living life sober, and "The Others," a song about finding your tribe.
But it is the title track that is absolute southern rock gold. "In My Blood" is a powerful autobiographical anthem. Sung alongside Blackberry Smoke's Charlie Starr, it has the perfect balance of classic rock and country twang. It is a song that has the potential to be as big as any Skynyrd song.
"Something Wicked This Way Comes" is based on the movie Jinks saw as a kid, which was adapted from Ray Bradbury's best-selling book.
He shared, "The movie scared the crap out of me, but it was cool. Disney did a great job on it. That's why the song sounds like a carnival ride."
"See The Man" is a jamming number that Jinks wrote after years of bartending. With honest lyrics, Shoot 'em down/ I didn't pull the trigger, but I gave them the gun/ One more round in the chamber that is done/ If you could see through these eyes I've seen/ If he'll put that bottle down/ Stop drinkin' to the ground. Jinks shows the downside to excessive drinking.
The song, "When You Can't Remember," is for anyone who has cared for someone with dementia and is a tribute to his father. "Lonely Man" attests to the loneliness that many artists experience, even though they are often surrounded by others.
Jinks wrote "Monster" alongside his good pal, Ward Davis. "Everyone has a monster," Jinks shared, "and mine is addiction."
One of the finest songs written on the record is "When Time Didn't Fly." With the words Jesus loves me, this I know/ For the Bible told me so/ And the sand was in my toes/ and not in a glass, it reminds us of the fleetingness and impermanence of time.
In My Blood is about being lost and found. The overarching theme of redemption is much needed in today's world.
Jinks confirmed, "I do my best to share my story through song and show. There have been more than a couple of times I thought about hanging it up, but I just can't. I didn't choose music, music chose me, and it's what I'm here to do."
If you are fortunate to live near where Cody Jinks is performing in person, make it a priority to attend. Otherwise, be sure to stream In My Blood. You will feel like you've been to a church revival.
You can follow Cody Jinks on his website, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, and all streaming services.
In the Blood is also available on CD and Vinyl.
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
In My Blood Track List
Better Than the Bottle
Lost Highway
The Others
In My Blood
Something Wicked This Way Comes
See The Man
When You Can’t Remember
Lonely Man
Monster
Found
When Time Didn’t Fly