All Country News Exclusive: Cody Jinks Talks “Snake Bit,” Studio Truth, and the Long Road to Balance

Country music's favorite outlaw, Cody Jinks, has always had a way of spinning grit into gold, turning life's rawest moments into poetic truth. With the release of his new single “Snake Bit,” the gravel-voiced Texan proves once again that his storytelling chops are sharper than ever. We caught up with Jinks to talk about songwriting, the studio magic behind the new track, what AC/DC taught him about dreaming big, and how fatherhood has brought a new kind of harmony to his life.

The Song That Bites: Writing “Snakebit” with Bobby Robinson and Bryan Martin

You’d never guess that writing a song as serious and soul-baring as “Snake Bit” could be a laugh-out-loud affair—but when Jinks sits down with longtime friends Bobby Robinson and Bryan Martin, it’s more than just songwriting. It’s storytelling, camaraderie, and in this case, a crash course in Sunday school.

“We were having a hard time remembering who did what in the Bible,” Jinks said with a laugh. “We had to go back and forth like, ‘Wait, who betrayed who?’ It was like a Bible pop quiz in the middle of writing a song.” Despite the song’s heavy lyrical theme—betrayal, manipulation, the scars left by those who take advantage—there was a strange joy in the process. Jinks met Brian through Bobby years ago, and the trio has developed a kind of shorthand, a musical sixth sense that brings their songs to life.

“We've all been burned,” he said simply. “And this song is for anyone who's ever had someone in their life twist the knife.”

Bringing the Rawness to Life in the Studio

“Snake Bit” hits with a stripped-down intensity that feels almost live. That wasn’t accidental. “We wanted it to sound raw,” Jinks said. “You really have to lean into the mic and whisper-growl some of those lines. I wanted the listener to feel how close I was singing.”

The song was recorded last May at Dragonfly Studio in Malibu, a session led by revered producer Ryan Hewitt, whose credits span icons like Tom Petty, Neil Young, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Ryan’s been with us since the I’m Not the Devil days,” Jinks said. “He gets it—he knows how to capture the truth of a moment without polishing it too much.”

What came out of those sessions is a slow-burning fire of a song that feels like a bruise set to music—beautiful, aching, and undeniably human.

No Demo-Itis Here, But He’s Had It Before

When asked if he suffered from “demo-itis”—the condition where artists fall so in love with a demo they can’t stand the studio version—Jinks laughed and admitted it’s happened before, just not this time.

“We knew what we wanted this one to sound like from the start,” he said. “But man, that’s a great word. I’m gonna start using it. I’ve definitely had demo-itis on other tracks.” It’s that clarity of vision that helped “Snake Bit” emerge fully formed, a song that sounds like it’s always existed, just waiting for Jinks to give it voice.

From Angus to Outlaw: The AC/DC Connection

Country may have Jinks’ heart, but rock and roll lit the fire. “I saw AC/DC at Reunion Arena in Dallas when I was 15,” he said, his voice full of nostalgia. “I came home and told my mom I needed an SG like Angus. That show changed my life.”

Three decades later, Jinks isn’t just reminiscing—he’s covering the band. His recent release of “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” is a tribute to the band that made him want to be a star.

And while he hasn’t gotten word from the AC/DC camp just yet, he’s hopeful. “I’m still not in those stratospheres,” he laughed. “But I hope if they do hear it, they’ll think it’s cool.”

He also noted the surprisingly positive response from AC/DC fans compared to a previous Pink Floyd cover he released years ago. “The Floyd fans crucified me,” he said, only half-joking. “The AC/DC purists are a little more open-minded, thank God.”

Dad First, Rockstar Second

Jinks is as honest about family life as he is about his songs. With kids now approaching their teen years, they’re starting to “get it.” They’re beginning to realize their dad isn’t just the guy picking them up from guitar lessons or waiting quietly in the truck outside ballet class.

"We had a moment a couple weeks ago,” Jinks said, recalling his recent headlining set at the Houston Rodeo. “Fifty-six thousand people. Next day I’m dropping my son off at lessons. He goes, ‘You were onstage in front of a stadium yesterday, and today you’re just like, picking me up like a normal dad.’ That stuck with me.”

It’s a perspective shift that only time, and a lot of miles on the road, can bring. After years of missing moments at home, Jinks is grateful for the ability to show up now—and be present.

“It’s taken a long time to find that balance,” he said. “But I’m there now. These days, I’m probably having more fun doing this than I ever have. And being a dad—that’s the best part of it all.”

The Long Way to the Top, Indeed

Whether he’s laying down blistering AC/DC covers, delivering a hauntingly vulnerable original like “Snake Bit,” or quietly waiting outside his daughter’s ballet class trying not to embarrass her, Cody Jinks has earned every mile of this road.

He’s the rare artist who wears the weight of his stories like a badge of honor—scarred, steady, and still strumming. And in true outlaw fashion, he doesn’t just sing about life. He lives it.

But perhaps what sets Jinks apart the most isn’t just his commitment to the craft or his refusal to bend to industry trends—it’s his unwavering devotion to truth. There’s no pretense in his lyrics, no polish in his delivery, and no apologies in his path. He’s as much a philosopher as he is a performer, wrestling demons in real-time and letting the world hear the echoes.

And while the mainstream may not have always known what to do with a man like Cody Jinks, the fans—those who find solace in the shadows of his songs—have always known. They pack out venues, pass down his records like family heirlooms, and sing along like their lives depend on it. Because for them, and maybe even for Jinks himself, this music isn’t just entertainment—it’s survival.

So whether he’s on stage, in the studio, or sitting in silence with a guitar in his lap, Cody Jinks continues to walk a line few dare to tread. Not for fame. Not for flash. But because it’s the only honest road he knows.

And he’ll keep walking it—boots worn, heart open, and six strings in hand.