The long-awaited collaboration between Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood is out! The two singers just released “I’m Gonna Love You,” a song written by Chris Stevens, Kelly Archer and Travis Denning, which will be part of Johnson’s next record.

“From the moment I heard this song, I heard Carrie’s voice on it. It was a non-negotiable for me; either we sing it together, or I wouldn’t sing it at all. It’s that special to me,” Johnson said. “Working with Carrie has been an absolute pleasure. She’s not only one hell of a singer, but she’s a class act all the way around. It warms my heart to work with someone who’s seen so much success in their career and they’re still so down to earth. I feel like this duet is going to be massive in so many ways, and I couldn’t be prouder of it!”

Fortunately, the admiration was mutual, with Underwood also a fan of Johnson, long before they had the chance to work together.

“From the time I first heard his voice, I knew Cody had something special,” Underwood. gushed “I’m excited for our fans to hear this special collaboration.”

“I’m Gonna Love You” was recorded a while ago, with Johnson teasing the song last year.

“The issue is, when you’re dealing with an artist of that caliber; you have to be very respectful of their time,” Johnson explained  (via iHeartCountry). “You have to be respectful of their tour when they’re releasing an album when they’re releasing a single … Carrie was so gracious to work with. I respect her so much as a vocalist and an artist. I think a lot of newer artists would have got that [collaborations]. and said, ‘Look, I have a duet with Carrie Underwood! Look, look, look!’

“I’m very thankful she did it, so I don’t care when it comes out,” he added. “I know that it’s done. I know that when the timing is right, it will be beautiful.”

The father of two just won a People’s Choice Country Award, for The Storyteller Song of 2024, for his “Dirt Cheap” single.

 

“I just want to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for everybody who voted for this, Storyteller Song of The Year 2024,” Johnson said of the accolade. “I think it’s very important to mention that Josh Phillips, the songwriter on ‘Dirt Cheap,’ wrote this by himself, so without Josh, I wouldn’t have this award, and without you voting as fans, I wouldn’t have this. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you all very much.”

Johnson is nominated for five CMA Awards,  for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for Leather, Single of the Year for “Dirt Cheap,” and two nominations in Music Video of the Year, for both “The Painter” and “Dirt Cheap.” The video for “Dirt Cheap’ starred music legend Red Steagall, and undoubtedly helped propel the song to becoming Johnson’s third No. 1 hit.

Find all of Johnson’s music and upcoming shows at CodyJohnsonMusic.com.

Photo Credit: Jason Stoltzfus