Cody Gentry on Americana, Southern Storytelling & Blue Ridge Gold | LMS
Born and raised in Upstate South Carolina, Cody Gentry grew up on the songwriting legends who shaped Americana music. The first song he ever memorized was “Please Don’t Bury Me” by John Prine — a fitting beginning for an artist whose work blends humor, heartbreak, and Southern storytelling.
On this episode of LMS, host Greazy Keyz sits down with Cody to explore the influence of writers and songwriters like Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, and Ted Hawkins — and how their approach to honest songwriting stands apart from much of modern country music.
Cody also shares how Southern literary voices such as Flannery O’Connor, David Joy, and Larry Brown shaped his love for narrative depth and place-based storytelling.
His breakout album, Blue Ridge Gold, released in May 2024, captures a sound that feels both timeless and urgent — true Americana rooted in country, folk, and rock and roll without pretense.
This episode features a live in-studio performance of his song “Wound Tight” — one guitar, one vocal mic, and pure storytelling energy.
Country music with meaningful lyrics. Rock and roll without pretending. This is LMS.
From Upstate South Carolina to the Sound of True Americana
Cody Gentry
Cody Gentry was born and raised in Upstate SC, and the first song he ever learned the lyrics to was “Please Don’t Bury Me” by John Prine. From there, Cody began writing and performing his own songs influenced by the towering country and folk performers of times past such as Guy Clark, Ted Hawkins, and Townes Van Zandt. His affection for history through storytelling, along with the writings of Flannery O’Connor, David Joy, and Larry Brown, has blended with his unique sound to create a wholly original illustration of true Americana. This sound was captured on Cody’s breakout album, Blue Ridge Gold, which received acclaim upon its release in May 2024. While touring on this album, Cody has played alongside a vast array of musical genres. This has only expanded his appetite for inspiration while also amplifying his affection to write and perform more well-written Americana/country/rock and roll songs. This creates a live show that is both intimate and energetic. It is country music with meaningful lyrics and rock and roll without pretension.
Latest Release and Tour:
Blue Ridge Gold – Album (2024)
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