Cody Johnson on His 5 CMA Awards Nominations: ‘I’m So Thankful’

Photo byCourtesy of the CMA

Cody Johnson is heading into the 2024 CMA Awards with an impressive five nominations. Johnson is nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, for Leather, Single of the Year for “Dirt Cheap,” and two nominations in Music Video of the Year for both “The Painter” and “Dirt Cheap.”

Both “Dirt Cheap” and “The Painter” are also nominated for Song of the Year, with those nominations going to songwriters Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, and Ryan Larkins for “The Painter” and Josh Phillips for “Dirt Cheap.”

“I’m honored that so many great songwriters have entrusted me with the success of their songs; that’s not something I take lightly,” Johnson says of his nominations. “Having two songs that I’ve recorded in the category for ‘Song of the Year’ makes me so happy for them. However, being nominated for five CMA awards as an artist that has worked his entire life to get to this point is an incredible feeling that I honestly can’t put into words right now. I’m so thankful that I never gave up, and I’m so thankful that I get to record and sing country music! I love my job.”

The video for “Dirt Cheap’ starred music legend Red Steagall, and undoubtedly helped propel the song to becoming Johnson’s third No. 1 hit.

“I personally relate to this song because I have a ranch at home that I have memories with my daughters growing up with, memories with my wife and my horses and my dogs and my cows and things that mean a lot to a guy like me,” the Texan tells his record label. “So, when you hear that, know that that one comes from the bottom of my heart.”

Photo byCourtesy of the CMA

The five CMA Awards nominations are just part of the validation for Johnson that his hard work, which for years went barely noticed, is paying off.

“This year has been incredible,” he tells the Country Music Association. “I think every time you have a big year, the ripples from the big year cause another big year, if you stay at it. If you stay on the ground, if you stay with your work ethic at its peak, and you stay driven, then the ripples of a big year always go into the next big year. For me, this year I’ve had so many moments with people singing the words to songs, and showing up almost by the 100,000, all over the place.

“They’re singing the songs, and I’m going, ‘Wow,’” he continues. “I was the guy that was told I wasn’t going to be on radio, but radio has done such a good job of playing it. Look at all these new fans. After 18 years of hard work, look at these new fans. I think that’s the biggest takeaway.”

Ashley McBryde is joining Johnson for the fall dates on his Leather Tour. Find all of his music and upcoming shows at CodyJohnsonMusic.com.

The 2024 CMA Awards will air live on Wednesday, November 20, on ABC, and be available the next day on Hulu.