Cody Johnson was announced as a performer at the 2024 CMA Awards, but failed to reveal which song he was performing. Fortunately, fans guessed correctly, and he was joined on stage by Carrie Underwood to sing their current hit single, “I’m Gonna Love You.”
The song is the first release from Johnson’s recent Leather Deluxe Edition album, out now. The father of two recently revealed it was Underwood’s idea to sing it live in the studio, after they originally planned on recording their parts separately.
“I did my part; I did my vocal part, and we had it done,” Johnson shared with Everything Nash and other outlets at a recent media event. “When she came into the studio, she did her part, and we’re listening back to it. We both kind of had this look like it just didn’t hit you. It didn’t slap you in the face like I thought it would.”
“She’s like, ‘I think we should sing it live. Let’s just go in and sing it live together,'” he recalled. “So, glass between the two microphones. Well now, we’re singing in church.”
Johnson won Album of the Year at the CMA Awards, for Leather, released last year. The Texan says he never would have won the award, or had a career in country music, if not for his wife, Brandi.
“She was the first one out of her seat,” Johnson said backstage after his big win. “Maybe besides Jelly Roll. If it wasn’t for Brandi, I wouldn’t be here. I’m being dead serious when I say that. If it weren’t for Brandi, I would probably be dead or in jail. She’s the woman that encouraged me to be the man I am as a husband, as a father, as a CEO of a company, as a leader, and outlaw. Everything, I owe that woman sitting right there.”
With trophy in hand, Johnson admitted he originally hoped he wasn’t one of the winners in the Album of the Year category.
“We really didn’t want to get Album of the Year until we had the main course delivered,” Johnson revealed. “But I will take Album of the Year no matter whether it’s the appetizer or the main course, so I’m very happy to be here for it … I think that what it comes down to is good songs. And when you’re an artist that aspired to be a songwriter first, I appreciate good songs, good songs that men and women on Music Row get up every day at 7:00 in the morning — they go to work, they put in the time and they write.”
The 37-year-old has built a successful career for himself by writing and performing pure country music. For Johnson, it’s the only way he knows how to make music.
“Country songs are what I live for,” Johnson said. “Besides Brandi, besides our two beautiful daughters, it’s the only thing in life for me that’s a constant. “It’s in my blood. It’s in my DNA. I wake up with it every day in the forefront of my mind, trying to make country music that means something. And to be a guy that comes along and says, ‘I want to change country music for the better.’”
See all of the winners at the 2024 CMA Awards here.
Johnson will wrap up his Leather Tour in December, and kick off his Leather Deluxe Tour in early 2025. Find Leather Deluxe Edition and all of Johnson’s music and upcoming shows at CodyJohnsonMusic.com.
Photo Credits: Courtesy of the CMA