Luke Bryan Salutes Cody Johnson With Powerful Tribute as Johnson Accepts ACM Spirit Award

Cody Johnson was honored with the ACM Spirit Award on Wednesday evening during the 18th ACM Honors in Nashville. Johnson received a tribute performance from his friend, golf buddy, and fellow country superstar, Luke Bryan, before accepting the award. 

Bryan took the stage to perform Johnson’s chart-topping hit, “’Til You Can’t.” After earning a standing ovation from a room full of artists, industry professionals, and fans, Bryan approached the mic to present Johnson with the award.

“I am pretty sure that just took years off my life and I dropped it a half step,” Bryan joked of his performance, referring to the high notes.

“Cody is an incredible artist and a singer who always brings his A game whenever he takes the stage,” Bryan continued. “And I’m going to go off script because there’s been a lot of times I’ve been on the road watching all the social stuff that we’re watching, watching Cody Uplift America and the soldiers and the families and [I] watch his passion. [I think] he’s going to blow his voice out doing that, but he never does. But man, congratulations on this award. So glad that you and I have gotten to connect and know each other over the past couple of years. And it’s my honor to present the ACM Spirit Award to my buddy.”

Johnson took the stage to accept the honor, which is inspired by the late Merle Haggard. The award continues the legacy of the Country Music legend and 20-time ACM Award recipient, recognizing artists who follow their own path, craft great songs, and epitomize Haggard’s spirit through genuine performances and storytelling.

“Thank you, my Lord, to Savior for giving me the opportunity to be here,” Johnson began.

The Texas native reflected on his journey after seeing some of his career highlights displayed on the screens before the award presentation.

“[It] kind of alluded to in the video how the cards have always been kind of stacked against me. When I found out that this award had something to do with Merle Haggard, I automatically was kind of tearing up because Merle has always been one of my heroes. And when I read that this award was based on Merle Haggard, because it was someone that went their own way to country music that could be commended in a lot of ways to say, ‘Man, he did it his way.’”

And Johnson did just that. Before signing to a major label, he built his fan base entirely from the ground up. When it came time to sign a record deal, he passed on several offers until he found a label that would allow him to stay true to himself, never once sacrificing who he was.

“I’m very honored to be standing here simply because even in Texas, they call it Texas music. I was told so many times… you’re not going to fill this bar room up. It’s not going to happen for you here,” he recalled. “I turned down so many record deals because it wasn’t right for me. It wasn’t what I wanted. It would’ve required me to sacrifice what I considered the integrity of my music. And I want you to know that I’m doing this completely unrehearsed, just like my shows. If you see me live…when you’re watching it on social media, that’s really me and I appreciate the fact that I get to do something that I love every night.”

Johnson promised that what fans see at his shows is “really my heart, that’s really my soul.” He said that no matter what else is going on in his life, he steps on stage and gives it everything he has.

He closed his speech with, “Long live country music, y’all.” 

Previous recipients of the ACM Spirit Award include Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Charlie Daniels, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, and Chris Stapleton.

In addition to Cody Johnson,, the other honorees who were celebrated during the 18th Academy of Country Music Honors included Lori Badgett, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Ben Vaughn, Mac McAnally, Rissi Palmer, Randy Travis, and “Twisters.” 

The Academy of Country Music has teamed up with CMT for a special three-hour CMT Hot 20: ACM Honors Edition airing Saturday, Sept. 27. Hosted by CMT’s Cody Alan and Carissa Culiner, alongside 18th ACM Honors hosts Russell Dickerson and Carly Pearce, the broadcast will include exclusive backstage interviews with honorees and performers, along with unforgettable highlights from the night’s celebration.