By Riley James, Staff Writer
Published in Southern Strings Magazine, May 2025 Edition
Country music has always been about roots — the places that shape you, the roads you return to, and the stories that settle in your soul. For 29-year-old rising star Cody M. Brooks, that place is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. With the release of his latest music video for “Back to Jackson Hole,” Brooks takes fans on a heartfelt, scenic ride back to the famous town that continues to inspire his life and music.
Directed by Nashville favorite Claire Vaughn, the music video premiered this week on YouTube, and within 24 hours, it racked up thousands of views. Set against sweeping drone shots of the Tetons, the video captures the rustic charm of Jackson Hole while Cody croons lyrics laced with nostalgia, grit, and a dash of unexpected rock ‘n’ roll flair.
“I go back every year after the snow melts,” Brooks said in an exclusive interview. “It’s the kind of place that resets my compass. Something about the air, the people, the way life slows down out there — it keeps me grounded.”
The song is more than just a love letter to the Wyoming town — it’s a reflection of Cody’s own journey. Written during a late spring visit last year, “Back to Jackson Hole” balances Brooks’ signature baritone with gritty warmth and lyrical storytelling that paints vivid images of bonfire nights, writing songs, partying, and even a surprising cameo from a rock legend.
“Check out a rodeo with Nikki Sixx,” Cody sings with a grin. The line, which has sparked buzz on social media, is more than just poetic license — Brooks actually did attend a local rodeo with the Mötley Crüe bassist during a chance meeting in Jackson in 2023. According to Brooks, “He’s one hell of a storyteller and, believe it or not, knows his way around a bull pen better than you’d think.”
Brooks, originally from Amarillo, Texas, has built a career on blending classic country sounds with unexpected influences — a bit of outlaw twang here, a dash of rock bravado there — and it’s a formula that’s clearly striking a chord with fans across genres.
The music video features scenes of Cody off-roading through muddy fields, sipping whiskey by a campfire, and strumming his guitar at the famous Virginian. Locals make cameo appearances, including Jackson Hole’s longtime rodeo announcer and even a few real-life ranch hands who helped with the shoot.
“It felt like home the whole time,” Brooks said. “That’s what I wanted people to feel when they watched it — like they were right there beside me, breathing that same mountain air.”
“Back to Jackson Hole” is the lead single off Brooks’ forthcoming album, “Whiskey, Women & Wild Rides,” due out this summer. If this song is any indication, fans can expect a record full of personal stories, genre-blending swagger, and — as always — an authentic voice at the helm.
For now, Cody M. Brooks is riding high on his latest hit — and as he sings in the final chorus, “Back to Jackon Hole / Oh its where I gotta go!”
📺 You can also watch the full “Back to Jackson Hole” video on the Wylde Chylde Records’ official YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@wyldechylderecords
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