Country star Cody Johnson says Nashville wanted to change him before success

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...