Cody Johnson is the reigning CMA Awards Male Vocalist of the Year. Johnson, who was nominated for a total of four CMA Awards, won one trophy, for Male Vocalist of the Year. The win is his first in the category, beating out Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, and Zach Top.
Johnson was also nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year for the last three years in a row, with Stapleton winning every year from 2021 to 2024. Last year, Johnson won the CMA Award for Album of the Year, for Leather, revealing the big omission he made during that acceptance speech.
“My wife said, ‘You didn’t even thank Jesus. So, thank you, Lord,” Johnson said. “Thank you so much for the guidance You’ve given me. Without His hand or grace on my life, I wouldn’t be here tonight.”
Johnson went on to thank his wife and three little children at home. He also shared his thoughts on winning in a category that includes Stapleton.
“When I was a little kid, I taped a little microphone on the side of my bunk bed, and I would sing everything from Boyz II Men to Merle Haggard, and I tried to imitate everybody in between,” Johnson said. “And to get this award, I just have to say, to be in a vocalist category with Chris Stapleton, who’s one of the greatest vocalists of all time in any genre. Thank you for paving the way. I appreciate you, brother. God bless country music. Thank you, CMAs. I appreciate you so much.”
Cody Johnson Reflects On His Male Vocalist of the Year Win
@everythingnash @Cody Johnson talks about his career after winning the Male Vocalist of the Year at the #cmaawards. #countrymusic #codyjohnson ♬ original sound – EverythingNash
Backstage, Johnson opened up about winning his first CMA Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, and the hard work it took to get him to take home the trophy.
“After ten years as an independent artist, I was never at the point that I wanted to be,” Johnson shared. “I got told no so much. No to the cowboy hat, no to the fiddle. No to the steel guitar. There were a lot of cowboy hats and fiddles and steel guitars here at the CMAs tonight. I think that, at this point in my career, I don’t know where I’m supposed to be. I’m really trying my best to trust God, trust His path for me.”
Johnson was nominated for Music Event of the Year and Video of the Year, both for his “I’m Gonna Love You” collaboration with Carrie Underwood. Johnson was also nominated for the first time for Entertainer of the Year, with that trophy going to Lainey Wilson. The Texan did not get to perform as he had hoped, after canceling the remainder of his 2025 tour to have emergency surgery, following a ruptured eardrum.
“That wasn’t planned,” Johnson said, speaking of his recent health struggles. “And I’m gonna come back stronger. There are things that you go through in life, the ride is worth the fall, that make you stronger, and make you better. I don’t know what’s next. Maybe it is one day Entertainer of the Year. But tonight, we’re gonna dang sure celebrate this Male Vocalist of the Year. To have this in my hand is something that I never really thought was possible, because of all of the nos … No is never the answer. It may be the answer right now, but maybe not for the long run.”
Photo Credit: CMA / Robby Klein