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Nashville wanted Cody Johnson to ditch his cowboy hat before giving him a shot at country music stardom.

The Texas-born country star said he walked away from a record deal after executives suggested he swap his signature cowboy look for a baseball cap — a move he viewed as a demand to change who he was before he could make it in the music business.

"They wanted a baseball cap, which I have nothing against, but it was the approach. It was the 'you're great, but once we change you, you'll make it.' And it pissed me off," he said in an interview with "CBS Mornings." "I tipped my hat and said, 'Thank you for your time.'"

CARRIE UNDERWOOD SAYS HER FAMILY COULD BE 'SELF-SUSTAINED' ON TENNESSEE FARM AWAY FROM HOLLYWOOD SPOTLIGHT

Cody Johnson performs onstage during the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, on May 17, 2026.…