Running a major country music tour takes more than putting on a polished show every night. According to fellow country singer Walker Montgomery, Cody Johnson has also built an operation where organization and hospitality extend well beyond the stage.
Montgomery recently offered a behind-the-scenes look at his experience on the road with Johnson. The rising country performer, who comes from a well-known musical family as the son of John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Eddie Montgomery, came away particularly impressed by the atmosphere surrounding Johnson’s touring organization.
For Montgomery, one of the biggest takeaways was how his own team was treated. Rather than feeling like outsiders joining an established touring machine, Montgomery said his crew was welcomed by Johnson’s band and staff and made to feel like part of the operation.
That kind of environment can say plenty about how a tour is managed. Montgomery credited the culture to leadership at the top, pointing to Johnson as the person setting expectations for the people working around him.
The tour’s organization also caught Montgomery’s attention. His description painted a picture of a carefully managed production where professionalism does not come at the expense of camaraderie.
There were some more tangible perks backstage, too. Montgomery recalled an impressive catering setup that included steak and fried chicken, adding a lighter detail to an experience that already left a strong impression.
For fans, most of a concert happens beneath the lights. The crews, meals, preparation and relationships behind the curtain rarely receive the same attention. Montgomery’s account offers a different view of Johnson’s touring world, one where the way people are treated backstage appears to matter alongside what audiences ultimately see onstage.
