How To Watch Cody Johnson’s First-Ever Christmas Special

The Texas native will be joined by his family during ‘CMT Presents: A Cody Johnson Christmas.’

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Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

December 13, 2023

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Cody Johnson with Daughters Clara and Cori; Photo by Daniel Clark for CMT

Cody Johnson is ringing in the holiday season by headlining his first-ever Christmas special, CMT Presents: A Cody Johnson Christmas. 

His Family Will Also Appear

The Platinum-selling star will be joined by his wife, Brandi, daughters Clara and Codi, as well as his mom, Sheila, and dad, Carl for an evening of Christmas fun on Wednesday, December 13. The Texas native will share music, family traditions, and holiday memories throughout the highly anticipated special, which will celebrate an authentic Texas cowboy Christmas. 

Cody Johnson with his wife, Brandi, Daughters, Clara and Codi, mom, Sheila and dad, Carl; Photo by Daniel Clark for CMT
Cody Johnson with his wife, Brandi, Daughters, Clara and Codi, mom, Sheila and dad, Carl; Photo by Daniel Clark for CMT

Additionally, Johnson will be joined by special guests and fellow Texas-born singer/songwriters Kevin Fowler and Roger Creager during the show. 

What Songs Will Cody Johnson Perform?

CMT Presents: A Cody Johnson Christmas will include performances of the following holiday hits:  

“Away in a Manger”

“Christmas All Year Long” 

“Feliz Navidad” 

“Hat Made of Mistletoe”

“If We Make It Through December”

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas”

“Pretty Paper”

“Santa Claus is Back In Town”

“White Christmas”

Cody Johnson; Photo by Daniel Clark for CMT
Cody Johnson; Photo by Daniel Clark for CMT

See A Sneak Peek Of The Show

Ahead of the show, CMT shared a sneak peek performance of Johnson singing “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” Click below to watch. 

YouTube video

The country star’s performance of “If We Make It Through December” will be especially meaningful as the song holds a significant place in his heart. During the Christmas special, he shares the poignant story of how early in his marriage, there was a time when he and Brandi were “very broke” and Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Thought December” came on the radio. The song paralleled their life at the time and they both broke down in tears while driving home in their truck.    

How To Watch

The special will air on Wednesday, December 13th at 9p/8c on CMT.

CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and Taillight TV’s Tom Forrest serve as Executive Producers for CMT Presents: A Cody Johnson Christmas, while Jackie Barba and Heather D. Graffagnino are Executives in Charge of Production. Leslie Fram is the Executive in Charge of Talent.

A Cody Johnson Christmas Album
A Cody Johnson Christmas Album

Cody Johnson’s Christmas Album

Cody Johnson released his first-ever Christmas album, A Cody Johnson Christmas, in 2021. This project includes 10 tracks, nearly all of which will be performed during his Christmas special on CMT. 

Leather Is Out Now

The upcoming Christmas program follows the release of Johnson’s critically acclaimed new album, Leather. The 12-track release was named one of the 10 Best Country Albums of 2023 by Country Now and includes collaborations with Jelly Roll and Brooks & Dunn. 

Leather; Cover photo by Chris Douglas, Brad Henderson
Leather; Cover photo by Chris Douglas, Brad Henderson

The title track came into Johnson’s possession courtesy of fellow singer/songwriter Ian Munsick during their time on the road together.

“I said, ‘not only would I cut it, I would title my new album after it.’ He goes, ‘Man, I didn’t know you were recording a new album.’ I said, ‘I wasn’t,’” Johnson told Country Now while recounting his conversation with Munsick. 

After hearing “Leather,” the 36-year-old began to assemble to album, which he says is just a taste of what’s to come as he plans to release a deluxe edition with 12 additional songs in the coming months. 

“So this is an appetizer,” Johnson teased. 

Leather is available to purchase and stream now.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.