Cody Johnson is giving a new update after suffering a ruptured eardrum. Johnson canceled the remainder of his 2025 tour dates to have emergency surgery. And while the operation was a success, the recovery has been a bit grueling.
“Everything kind of sounds a little funny right now,” Johnson tells Taste of Country. “It has pissed me off, for lack of a better way of saying it.”
While the father of three knew his recovery would take some time, Johnson acknowledges he is still having a hard time with the process.
“I’ve been so irritated because I know I wanna hear these things and I wanna be better,” Johnson says. “But it’s taught me a lot of patience.”
“Sit back, wait, and let it heal,” he adds. “It’s taught me a lot of patience.”
At the recent CMA Awards, Johnson won the trophy for Male Vocalist of the Year. Backstage after his win, Johnson opened up about his unexpected health crisis.
“That wasn’t planned,” Johnson said. “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.”
Cody Johnson Takes Home His First Male Vocalist of the Year Trophy At the CMA Awards
@everythingnash @Cody Johnson talks about his career after winning the Male Vocalist of the Year at the #cmaawards. #countrymusic #codyjohnson ♬ original sound – EverythingNash
While at the CMA Awards, Johnson also shared his thoughts on winning Male Vocalist of the Year. He was also nominated for Entertainer of the Year, with that award going to Lainey Wilson. The Male Vocalist of the Year category included Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, and Zach Top.
“After ten years as an independent artist, I was never at the point that I wanted to be,” Johnson said backstage after his win. “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.”
Even though he didn’t win the trophy for Entertainer of the Year, Johnson said it felt like validation just to be nominated.
“That is the stamp of approval. … I have said this all day long. Close your eyes, throw a dart at the board, whoever hits, you can come up with a million reasons why they deserve it as much as I do or anybody else,” Johnson tells Country Now, speaking of being nominated for the night’s highest honor. “So that stamp of approval is already there. It’s just up to who voted, and see whether I get it or not.”
Photo Credit: CMA / Josh Brasted