Meet Ryan Larkins: CMA-Nominated Songwriter/Artist Who Wrote Cody Johnson’s “The Painter”

Nashville-born and bred singer-songwriter Ryan Larkins is riding the Cody Johnson wave—and using it to give back.

Larkins wrote “The Painter,” the lead single from Johnson’s most recent album Leather. The song was nominated for Song of the Year, and its video was up for Music Video of the Year at the 58th annual CMA Awards. The show, billed as Country Music’s Biggest Night, will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 20 (8:00 – 11:00 PM/EST) on ABC and the next day on Hulu.
Johnson is among the night’s top nominees with five nominations, including Album of the Year.

Larkins wrote “The Painter” with Benjy Davis and Kat Higgins about five years ago.

“Cody heard it and fell in love with it,” Larkins said. “I can’t believe all that’s happened with that song. It’s a blessing.”

Larkins, who recently released his four-song EP Bones, said that while some writer/artists might be tempted to save hit songs for themselves to record, he isn’t that guy.

Ryan Larkins’ “The Painter” Is Nominated for Song of the Year

“Honestly, it felt like a huge compliment,” Larkins said of Johnson’s choice to record “The Painter.” “It was pretty amazing to hear a song that told the story of my wife on the radio for the first time, and then seeing it be up for all of these awards and win NSAI Song of the Year. I mean, I’m so thankful for Cody. He made that happen. I really am thankful that he took it, made it his own, and told that story.”

Larkins started writing songs when he was 12 years old and honed his baritone voice singing in church. His traditional country roots combined with his love of gospel, pop and R&B are evident in his songs and sound. He’s written alongside songwriting heavyweights, including Tony Lane, Tom Douglas, Lee Miller, Craig Wiseman, Tim Nichols, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson.

“The Painter” was his first No. 1 hit. And while he didn’t record the sentimental mid-tempo, the song reflects Larkins as a songwriter and an artist.

“The Painter” is Ryan Larkins’ First No. 1 Song

“I go into the room every day thinking, ‘Okay, I’m going to write a song for me and tell my story,’” he said. “And I feel like we told that story that day. It’s a story that I want to tell. Hopefully, they listen to that song and think, ‘Wow, this really represents Ryan. I want to go check out all the other music.’”

He hopes his new EP Bones is on the list of music they check out – along with his cover of “Blessed Assurance.” Larkins recently recorded the track to benefit Hurricane Helene victims in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.

“I grew up singing these gospel songs, and I just wanted to do something for the victims of the hurricane,” Larkins said. “I went into the studio, just me and my guitar, and recorded that song and released it. I’m excited about having that one out in the world.”

(Photo courtesy of Ryan Larkins)