Cody Jinks Commands Railbird Festival 2025 with Outlaw Grit

Cody Jinks took the Limestone stage at Railbird Festival in Lexington, Kentucky, on June 1, 2025, like a storm rolling across the plains. Born on August 18, 1980, in Fort Worth, Texas, Jinks’ gravelly voice and weathered Stetson carried the weight of a thousand honky-tonk nights. His set, under the Kentucky stars, was a masterclass in outlaw country, raw and unapologetic. With his band, The Tone Deaf Hippies, he turned the Red Mile infield into a raucous roadhouse, fans roaring with every chord.

Career and Band Affiliations

Jinks’ journey began in the late ’90s with thrash metal band Unchecked Aggression before he pivoted to country, releasing his debut, Collector’s Item, in 2008. His 2016 album, I’m Not the Devil, and 2018’s Lifers cemented him as an indie country titan. The Tone Deaf Hippies—Chris Claridy (guitar), Joshua Thompson (bass), Drew Harakal (guitar), David Colvin (drums), and Austin “Hot Rod” Tripp (steel guitar)—are his steadfast crew. He’s collaborated with Chris Stapleton and toured with the Whitey Morgan Band. No major TV or film roles mark his resume, but his music appeared in Yellowstone’s Season 4. In 2024, he won a CMA Award for Independent Artist of the Year, and in 2025, he was inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame. His fiercely independent ethos, releasing music via his own Late August Records, defines his legacy.

Biggest Songs

• “Loud and Heavy” – Written by Cody Jinks and Ron Hellner, a thunderous anthem of resilience.
• “Hippies and Cowboys” – Penned by Jinks, a rebellious ode to outsiders.
• “Must Be the Whiskey” – Co-written with Josh Morningstar, a heartbreak ballad with radio success.

Railbird Performance

Jinks opened with “Hippies and Cowboys,” his voice booming as the crowd surged, fists raised. He rolled into “Loud and Heavy,” the band’s steel guitar howling under the night sky. Fans sang every word, their voices blending with his on “Must Be the Whiskey,” couples swaying in the dust. However, a brief amp buzz disrupted “David,” but Jinks shrugged it off, joking, “This rig’s as stubborn as me.” He paid tribute to Merle Haggard with “Mama Tried,” then tore through “Cast No Stones,” its raw honesty silencing the chatter. For 90 minutes, his set was a freight train, relentless and soul-stirring, closing with “Somewhere in the Middle” to a deafening roar. His connection with the crowd felt like a revival, every song a shared confession.

Controversies and Connections

Jinks’ outspoken disdain for mainstream Nashville has stirred waves. In a 2023 Rolling Stone interview, he called Music Row “a factory for pop stars, not country,” ruffling industry feathers. His 2021 arrest for a bar fight in Oklahoma made headlines, though charges were dropped, and he later called it “a dumb night, not a habit.” Romantically, he’s been married to Rebecca Jinks since 2013, with no public scandals tied to their relationship. His friendship with Chris Stapleton and a 2024 duet with Miranda Lambert on “Outlaw State of Mind” fueled buzz, though some fans griped about his occasional pop-leaning collaborations. At Railbird, he stayed true to his roots, dedicating “Lifers” to “anyone who’s ever felt counted out.”

Final Notes

As the final notes faded, Jinks tipped his hat, his silhouette stark against the stage lights. His performance was a middle finger to polish, proving outlaw country still thrives. Photos of him, sweat-soaked and grinning, with fans chanting in the background, are already viral,

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