Cody Johnson was like a kid during the 2023 CMT Music Awards. The “Human” singer was part of an all-star tribute during the live ceremony, which included Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Paul Rodgers, Slash & Warren Haynes, in honor of Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s last original founding member Gary Rossington, who recently passed away. LeAnn Rimes and Wynonna Judd were also part of the tribute as well.

Johnson never imagined that one day he would be part of such an iconic moment, sharing the stage with music legends who helped shape his life and career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB7ACD-CoDY

“I got to perform in the Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute with people I would never imagine playing with,” the 35-year-old told CMT. “It was pretty dang cool. There was this eight-year-old kid in me who was wanting to learn to play guitar looking over at Billy Gibbons and Slash saying, ‘Even if we don’t win an award tonight, we still got to do this.'”

Johnson did take home a CMT Music Award, for Performance of the Year. The trophy was given to him for his 2022 performance at the CMT Music Awards of “‘Til You Can’t.”

“Once again, I didn’t prepare anything to say. I will say this: tonight it’s great to be in my home state of Texas,” Johnson said. “So before I thank Warner Music Nashville, before I thank my band, my crew — ’cause this is Performance of the Year — my band and crew, the Rockin’ CJB from Texas have worked their tail off for this.

“Before I do the single speech that most people do, is I would like for everybody here at once, are you having fun at the CMT Awards?” he continued. “Make some noise. That’s what a performance is about, and that’s what my performance will stay about, is your pleasure. Thank you so much. God bless you.”

Johnson recently revealed that he recorded a duet with Carrie Underwood for his upcoming new album.

“I actually just recorded a duet with her yesterday for my new album coming out,” Johnson revealed to CMT‘s Cody Alan. “And getting to know her — man, she’s such a pro and everybody that she surrounds herself with are all very professional, as well. So I don’t mean this to sound bad, but it’s kind of hard to compete with that.”

Photo Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for CMT