Cody Johnson’s biggest cheerleader, and strongest inspiration, is his wife, Brandi. The father of two reflected on her influence backstage, after winning the CMA Award for Album of the Year, for his 2023 Leather record.
“She was the first one out of her seat,” Johnson said. “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.”
Johnson, who also performed “I’m Gonna Love You” with Carrie Underwood during the live broadcast, admitted that he originally didn’t want to win the award for Leather, especially with the recent release of Leather Deluxe Edition.
“We tried not to get votes for Album of the Year, because at the time the entire industry didn’t know that we had a deluxe
album on the cusp of coming out,” Johnson revealed. “And most people think of a deluxe album being three or four
more songs. We had 13 more songs in the works. And the way that happened was because Human: The Double Album I don’t feel like got enough attention. I don’t feel like the consumption rates. I don’t feel like the attention span of the audience was good enough. We got two singles out of 24 songs.”
It was Cris Lacy, Co-President at Warner Music Nashville, Johnson’s record label, who had the idea to create both Leather and Leather Deluxe Edition.
“We really didn’t want to get Album of the Year until we had the main course delivered,” Johnson conceded. “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 Album of the Year trophy is nice, but the 37-year-old would still make country music, even without the accolades.
“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