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Cody Johnson Credits Wife For Country Music Success: “If It Weren’t For Brandi, I’d Be Dead Or In Jail”
Precious.
Last night, Cody Johnson took home a big award at the CMA Awards, winning Album of the Year for his incredible album Leather.
And while his acceptance speech was a pretty viral moment after his producer seemingly took a shot at Shaboozey, Cody himself was very grateful for the award and seemed pretty surprised to have won.
In the press room after the show, Cody took a moment to thank his wife, Brandi, for helping him get to this point after decades of hard work, saying if it wasn't for her, he'd be "dead or in jail." She smiled as Cody talked about how much she's changed his life, and it was a really sweet moment:
"If it wasn’t for Brandi, I wouldn’t be here. I’m being dead serious when I say that if it weren’t for Brandy, I would probably be dead or in jail.
She’s the woman that encouraged me to be the man I am as a husband, as a father, as a CEO of a company, as a leader, and I owe everything I have to that woman sitting right there. So if you guys wanna give any applause... I know it's probably not proper to do that, but that's the reason."
And speaking of Cody's love for Brandi, his recent hit "The Painter" was also a tribute to his love for her, and even though he didn’t write it, Cody says the lyrics perfectly capture his feelings towards his wife and how he feels about her as she lights up his life with bright, warm shades and gives him a new perspective on love:
“My favorite lyric in ‘The Painter’ is ‘for every wall I built, she saw a canvas.’ If there’s anything that describes my marriage with my wife, Brandi, it’s that line.
And that’s why we’ve been together for 15 years. I hope my fans are encouraged to take the time to appreciate the people they have around them.
The ones who make their life beautiful and bring all the beautiful colors to their world when it could just be black and white and dark. Remember them and tell them you love them.”
Written by Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins, "The Painter" was included on Cody’s 2023 now CMA-winning Leather album, and clearly contributed to his big win.
Cody spotlighting his wife and all the sacrifices she's made in such sweet, genuine way was a beautiful moment, and you can tell how much she means to him just in this short minute-long clip:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sd4VXrsMf1k
Cody also performed his song with Carrie Underwood last night, "I'm Gonna Love You":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnPMpx9VJOI
You can check out the full list of winners below, which includes Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn and more.
Entertainer of the year: Morgan Wallen
Single of the year: “White Horse” by Chris Stapleton
Album of the year: “Leather” by Cody Johnson
Song of the year: “White Horse” by Chris Stapleton
Female vocalist of the year: Lainey Wilson
Male vocalist of the year: Chris Stapleton
Vocal group of the year: Old Dominion
Vocal duo of the year: Brooks & Dunn
Musical event of the year: “you look like you love me” Ella Langley (feat. Riley Green)
Musician of the year: Charlie Worsham
Music video of the year: “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” by Lainey Wilson
New artist of the year: Megan Moroney
"The Painter"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur1cb_OztPQ