Luke Bryan Salutes Cody Johnson With Powerful Tribute as Johnson Accepts ACM Spirit Award
The award recognizes artists who follow their own path, craft great songs, and epitomize Haggard’s spirit through genuine performances and storytelling.
ACM Spirit Award winner Cody Johnson, and Luke Bryan; Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM
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.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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