Since releasing his debut country album Whitsitt Chapel, Jelly Roll has become one of the most buzzworthy artists in mainstream country music. He has launched multiple singles and an album to the top of various charts and has taken home multiple awards. However, the Nashville native still has big dreams for his career. One of those dreams died when Cody Johnson’s song “Dirt Cheap” was released as a single.

Recently Jelly Roll and ERNEST appeared on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast. During their conversation, they talked about songwriting and pulled back the curtain to show how the sausage is made in Music City. In doing so, Jelly revealed that “Dirt Cheap” is one of the best songs he has ever heard even if it did kill one of his dreams.

Jelly Roll on Cody Johnson’s “Dirt Cheap”

Jelly Roll and ERNEST discussed songs they thought would be hit singles but didn’t make it. Jelly had a perfect example. He believed that “Whiskey Bent,” his collaboration with Cody Johnson, would have been a single from Leather. But that didn’t happen.

“Cody Johnson is one of my best friends in country music. I love Cody Johnson. That cowboy is one of the most authentic, real dudes, ‘I love you’ kind of dudes. He’s the most Christlike dude I’ve met in the business. He is awesome,” Jelly Roll began. “We got to do a record together on his album and I thought there is no way this isn’t going to be his next single after ‘The Painter.’ As hot as he is, as hot as I am, as hot as this song is and the meaning of it,” he added. For those reasons, “Whiskey Bent” would have been a solid pick for the next single. However, the label went a different direction.

“Then, his album comes out and I hear a song called, ‘Dirt Cheap.’ I called him and said, ‘Well Bubba, one, congratulations on what’s going to be an award-winning album.’ Which it did go on to win the CMA Album of the Year,” he recalled. “I said, ‘This album is unbelievable. But me and your dream of having a single together just died,’” Jelly Roll added. When Johnson asked how he came to that conclusion, Jelly told him, “’Dirt Cheap’ might be the best song I’ve ever heard.”

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