Cody Johnson took to social media on Friday (Oct. 13) to drop the track list for his highly anticipated new album, Leather. While this news gave a glimpse into brand-new collaborations with artists like Jelly Roll and Brooks & Dunn, it also revealed that Johnson’s previously teased duet with country superstar Carrie Underwood did not appear to make the cut this time around.

Back in March, Johnson caught up with Cody Alan on the CMT Hot 20 Countdown and revealed that he had already recorded a collaborative tune with Underwood for his forthcoming new album.

“I actually just recorded a duet with her yesterday for my new album coming out,” Johnson told Alan at the time.

Exclusive Update

However, while sharing a new update surrounding the project, the Texas native explained that they have decided to hold off on releasing this track and it may or may not appear on an upcoming, yet-to-be-announced deluxe album.

“I can neither confirm nor deny,” Johnson told Country Now when asked if the duet will appear on the extended project. “The deluxe edition that’s coming out is gonna have some really cool stuff on it and we decided to kind of wait. Her team has been very, very easy to work with and we’re trying to wait for the right time to reveal what we’ve done.”

The good news is, he went on to share that fans may only have to wait until next summer for the 24-track double album.

“It’s gonna be mid-next year probably. I’m thinking around summertime…It’ll be sooner than later. I won’t make you wait until next November, I don’t think,” he said with a sense of hopefulness.

“The Best Round Of Songs” He’s Ever Released

This will serve as Johnson’s second consecutive double album, following his October 2021 project, Human, and he has already tacked high expectations onto what’s to come.

“This might be the best round of songs we’ve ever had, but…this is an appetizer.”

As he revealed via social media, the 12-track portion of Leather is set to drop on November 3 and will include advanced releases such as “Work Boots,” “Watching My Old Flame,” his current single at country radio, “The Painter,” and his most recent release, “That’s Texas.”

Penned by Andy Sheridan, Erik Dylan and Wyatt McCubbin, “That’s Texas” pulls straight from the roots of the Lone Star state and celebrates all its greatest aspects, including the fact that it’s the birthplace of country singer/songwriters like George Strait and Robert Earl Keen and the “home of the CJB” (Cody Johnson Band).

“That’s Texas”

While it’s easy to fall in love with the song’s upbeat, boot-stomping tempo and catchy chorus, the “Human” singer admits he wasn’t sold at first glance.

“I hated the title when I saw it on paper because I was the independent artist from Texas for years and every time I would come to Nashville or LA, people say, ‘Oh, you’re Texas country though. We get it, you’re just Texas country,’ you know, very derogatory…And I’m like, I built my whole career around crossing that bridge and not burning it and saying, ‘Hey, I can go from Texas to Nashville and not change a damn thing.’ So when I saw the title, ‘That’s Texas,’ I looked over at Scott Gunter, who’s been with me for over a decade, and I said, ‘really, man?’ He goes, ‘I’m from Georgia and I love this song.’ And I’m like, well, let’s listen to it. I mean, the first three, four lines I went, ‘yep, I’m in.’”

After feeling an instant connection with the song, he got into the studio and insisted on adding his all-Texas band, The Rockin’ CJB Live, in order to make it feel like real, authentic country music.

Fans have already gotten their hands on “That’s Texas” and in a few short weeks, they will also get to hear a slew of brand-new releases such as “Double Down,” “Dirt Cheap,” “Jesus Loves You,” “Whiskey Bent” featuring Jelly Roll,” “Long Live Country Music” featuring Brooks & Dunn and more.

The Leather Tour

As fans await the arrival of Leather, Cody Johnson is also preparing to continue his run of successful headlining shows with his newly announced trek dubbed, The Leather Tour.

Taking place throughout 2024, the first leg of the tour is set to launch on January 19 in Sacramento, CA, and continue with dates in Arizona, Tennessee, Kansas, Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, and Ohio. During his visit to Nashville, TN, Johnson will deliver his first-ever headlining performance in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on February 2. This milestone show will follow his 2022 concert at Music City’s FirstBank Amphitheater, Nashville’s newest outdoor venue.

Special guests during the first leg include Justin Moore, Dillon Carmichael and Chris Janson.

Tickets are on sale now at Codyjohnsonmusic.com.

This tour will follow his most recent stint of shows in Australia and New Zealand, where he served as support for the international leg of Luke Combs’ massive 2023 World Tour.

Before the year comes to a close, Cody Johnson will make several more festival and headlining appearances, including a show at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on December 8.