It all began with a water tower.
In 2022, the now-infamous “Johnny Cash Water Tower incident” turned the small town of Kingsland, Arkansas, into a viral headline. An unknown gunman shot a hole in the town’s mural of Johnny Cash — right in a rather “sensitive spot.” The prank made it look as though the Man in Black was relieving himself over his hometown, and within days, the story was everywhere.
Months later, Minnesota musician Cori Kennedy stumbled across the bizarre tale on Instagram and TikTok. She couldn’t resist picking up her guitar and turning the moment into song.
“I saw it in a Reel, and I was like, ‘that is just the funniest thing,’” Kennedy said. “It felt like such a Johnny Cash kind of story.”
Within an hour, she had written “Hey Who Shot the Water Tower.” What started as a playful ballad quickly exploded — racking up nearly 15 million views on TikTok and earning reactions from Kingsland locals, members of the Cash family, and even the alleged gunman himself.
That viral moment launched Kennedy from a small-town songwriter to a rising country and Americana artist. And now, she’s carried that momentum onto one of TV’s biggest stages: The Voice.
A Standout Blind Audition
On September 29, Kennedy stepped onto The Voice stage with a heartfelt cover of The Judds’ “Why Not Me.” Her rich, powerful vocals earned chair turns from both Reba McEntire and Michael Bublé, while Niall Horan and Snoop Dogg cheered her on from their seats.
But Kennedy wasn’t finished. After her cover, she surprised everyone with an original song she had written just for the coaches.
“Well, I’m just a girl from a zero stoplight town / Minnesota roots and wearing hand-me-downs / From dreaming in the dark I stepped out and rejoiced / My grandma won’t believe me that I’m singing on The Voice,” she sang, before cleverly tailoring verses to each coach.
The crowd erupted with laughter as she teased Snoop Dogg about not growing up on his music, crowned Reba her “redhead fancy queen,” confessed a One Direction crush to Niall, and poked fun at Bublé as a “Christmas star” who might struggle with a frozen Minnesota car.
By the time she finished, all four coaches were on their feet.
Reba praised her: “It just took me back to Tennessee. Your voice is wonderful — such power.”
Bublé added: “It’s like country with a little mix of Stevie Nicks. I was blown away.”
Even Snoop, who didn’t turn, told her: “Next time, bring an original song. That bangs.”
Viral Once Again
Kennedy’s audition didn’t just win the coaches — it won the internet. The clip has already soared past 5 million views overnight, making her one of the most talked-about contestants of the season.
With her unique blend of humor, authenticity, and powerhouse vocals, Cori Kennedy is proving she’s more than just a viral sensation. From writing a cheeky ballad about Johnny Cash’s water tower to bringing Reba McEntire to her feet on national television, she’s carving out a career built on originality and heart.
As one fan wrote online: “Cori Kennedy has a way with words — and a voice that makes you believe every one of them.”
