Cody Jinks “Change the Game Tour”

By Christie Bilbo

May 11, 2024

Saturday evening, Cody Jinks and his band, The Tone Deaf Hippies, kicked the front door open at Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas, TX. With questionable weather, we didn’t know if we would be bathed in the “Holy Water” Mr. Jinks was blessing us with or if it would be humid and sticky weather was going to bring down the rain. With “Thunderheads” playing on stage and the clouds clapping with thunderstorms on the horizon, one thing was guaranteed: this would be an amazing concert.

It’s hard to classify Cody Jinks and his style of music. But one thing he is not, he ain’t no country singer! Born and raised in Haltom City, TX., he grew up listening to outlaw country music. Like most of us raised in Texas in that era, we knew artists like Waylon, Willie, David Allan Coe, and Hank Williams Jr.

Cody Jinks didn’t start his music career playing his current genre. As he told everyone at Dos Equis Pavilion, he started playing thrash metal. Influenced by his generation’s most popular bands like Metallica, the hometown heroes Pantera, and Butthole Surfers, he was rocking out in Dallas down in Deep Ellum. However, when his band split, he had a decision to make. What genre of music was he destined to play?

Let’s break down the two genres that Cody Jinks falls into:

Red Dirt Country music has rock elements and an attitude that doesn’t fit in with the county label. It’s gritty and makes you want to bang your head a little, spit your tobacco on the ground, and tip your hat to the beautiful lady you are with.

Outlaw country started in the ’70s and ’80s and is more like, “We ain’t country, but we ain’t rock and roll either.” You have artists like Hank Jr., Willie, Walon, and those guys playing at bars like Gilley’s and Billy Bob’s. Belt buckles were big, Wrangler jeans were tight, and Ely button-up shirts were all the rage.

So, the question is, what is his music? All I can say is it’s damn good tuneage!

On with the show! (Y’all ain’t here for a history lesson.)

The night started with Tennessee Jet, who hit the stage at 7 p.m. The music playing before he hit the stage made me think of the old spaghetti westerns I watched as a kid. I seriously thought Clint Eastwood would be rolling out and spitting in the eye of some poor guy in the front row. With “Bury My Bones, ” he had the crowd singing along and dancing.

With hits like “2+2” and his cover of “Waymore’s Blues,” you can’t go wrong with listening to Tennessee Jet.

The next band to follow up was Blackberry Smoke. The band is from Atlanta, GA, and the guys brought the sound of American Country Rock. It reminded me of the Allman Brothers and a mix of the Black Crowes. With hits like “Waiting for the Thunder,” “One Horse Town,” and recent hit “Little Bit Crazy,” the guys had the place dancing.

However, everyone was there for the main attraction: Mr. Cody Jinks!

When he hit the stage, the crowd went wild. The atmosphere was palpable, with the stage set as if we were watching him at some local hole-in-the-wall bar. The air was thick with smoke, the beers were flowing smoothly, and everyone was ready for the best night of their lives.

The crowd went wild when the first song, “Hurt You,” was belted out. Everyone was singing along and dancing.  People sitting on the lawn were up and celebrating the hometown boy who was about to bring the house down!

When he sang “Mamma Song,” he brought his beautiful mom out to join him in serenading the crowd. This song, from his 2015 album Adobe Sessions, was such an emotional moment. Also, with this being Mother’s Day weekend, it added an even more touching feel to the already electric evening.

Cody Jinks and his band then turned down the lights and stripped down to an acoustic session for everyone, performing three songs to the delight of everyone. “I’m Not the Devil,” “Birds,” and “No Words” were amazing to hear in the raw form these songs were meant to be heard.

When everyone thought the concert was over with the final song, “Hippies and Cowboys,” the band gave everyone what they wanted: the encore for the night. With “Sober Thing,” “Fast Hand,” and “Loud & Heavy,” the crowd was not only filled with an evening of comradery but also sent home with memories of great music.

We don’t see Cody Jinks much in his native neck of the woods. I can speak for myself and everyone else who was there: We are looking forward to another night of Mr. Cody Jinks and his band.