Cody Johnson Attributes CMA Awards Success to Wife Brandi, Says He'd 'Be Dead or in Jail' Without Her (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Cody Johnson and Brandi Johnson attend The 58th Annual CMA Awards at Music City Center on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.Photo:Jason Kempin/Getty

Jason Kempin/Getty

Cody Johnsonis giving credit where it’s due.After securing an album of the year win for his ninth studio album,Leather,at the58th Annual Country Music Association Awardson Wednesday, Nov. 20, the country star, 37, took a moment to attribute his success to his wife,Brandi Johnson.“She was the first one out of her seat maybe besides Jelly Roll,” Cody tells PEOPLE at the Bridgestone Arena press room in Nashville, reflecting on the moment his name was called for the win. “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 Brandi, I would probably be dead or in jail.“Cody then raved about Brandi, with whom he shares two daughters, calling her “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 that woman sitting right there,” he adds. “So if you guys want to give any applause … that’s the reason [to].“Cody Johnson.Frank Micelotta/Disney/GettyCody’s latest CMA Awards victory edged out competition that featured the likes ofKacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton andJelly Roll. He also earned a nod in the single of the year category (“Dirt Cheap”), song of the year (“Dirt Cheap,” “The Painter”), male vocalist of the year and music video of the year (“Dirt Cheap,” “The Painter”).Elsewhere during the show, Cody hit the stage alongside collaboratorCarrie Underwoodto perform their duet “I’m Gonna Love You.“Cody previously told PEOPLE in November 2023, shortly after the release of “The Painter,” that heimmediately thoughtof Brandi, his wife of now 15 years, after hearing the song’s demo for the first time. He particularly identified with the line, “For every wall I built, she saw a canvas.”“I have tried unintentionally — and intentionally — to build walls around myself a lot in my life because I’m a stubborn cowboy sometimes,” he said at the time. “And she saw potential. She saw growth. She saw opportunity. She saw me before I saw me. And without her I wouldn’t be here.”Cody added that the song “was a great way for me to pay tribute to the real unsung hero.”Brandi Johnson and Cody Johnson in 2019.Denise Truscello/ACMA2019/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The CMA Awards wasn’t the first time Cody attributed his success to Brandi. Last year, in an interview withCowboys & Indiansmagazine, Cody revealed that he may not have been able to take the financial leap to pursue music full-time if it wasn’t for Brandi, who left college so she could work two jobs and help support them.“I pretty much owe everything I have to her,” he said. “She had all the faith in me. I compensated for my lack of confidence in a lot of bad ways. She recently said, ‘I always knew you would be this man. I knew this man was in that boy.’ ““There are times I’ve wanted to quit music, in the last five years even. I’ve come home and said, ‘I’m done. I can’t do this anymore. It’s eating me up.’ And she’d say, ‘Yes you can. You got to. You’ve got to get back to work, have a better mindset, and push through.’ And I did,” Cody added. “If I had to give it all up for her, I’d do it.”

Cody Johnsonis giving credit where it’s due.

After securing an album of the year win for his ninth studio album,Leather,at the58th Annual Country Music Association Awardson Wednesday, Nov. 20, the country star, 37, took a moment to attribute his success to his wife,Brandi Johnson.

“She was the first one out of her seat maybe besides Jelly Roll,” Cody tells PEOPLE at the Bridgestone Arena press room in Nashville, reflecting on the moment his name was called for the win. “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 Brandi, I would probably be dead or in jail.”

Cody then raved about Brandi, with whom he shares two daughters, calling her “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 that woman sitting right there,” he adds. “So if you guys want to give any applause … that’s the reason [to].”

Cody Johnson.Frank Micelotta/Disney/Getty

Frank Micelotta/Disney/Getty

Cody’s latest CMA Awards victory edged out competition that featured the likes ofKacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton andJelly Roll. He also earned a nod in the single of the year category (“Dirt Cheap”), song of the year (“Dirt Cheap,” “The Painter”), male vocalist of the year and music video of the year (“Dirt Cheap,” “The Painter”).

Elsewhere during the show, Cody hit the stage alongside collaboratorCarrie Underwoodto perform their duet “I’m Gonna Love You.”

Cody previously told PEOPLE in November 2023, shortly after the release of “The Painter,” that heimmediately thoughtof Brandi, his wife of now 15 years, after hearing the song’s demo for the first time. He particularly identified with the line, “For every wall I built, she saw a canvas.”

“I have tried unintentionally — and intentionally — to build walls around myself a lot in my life because I’m a stubborn cowboy sometimes,” he said at the time. “And she saw potential. She saw growth. She saw opportunity. She saw me before I saw me. And without her I wouldn’t be here.”

Cody added that the song “was a great way for me to pay tribute to the real unsung hero.”

Brandi Johnson and Cody Johnson in 2019.Denise Truscello/ACMA2019/Getty

Denise Truscello/ACMA2019/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The CMA Awards wasn’t the first time Cody attributed his success to Brandi. Last year, in an interview withCowboys & Indiansmagazine, Cody revealed that he may not have been able to take the financial leap to pursue music full-time if it wasn’t for Brandi, who left college so she could work two jobs and help support them.

“I pretty much owe everything I have to her,” he said. “She had all the faith in me. I compensated for my lack of confidence in a lot of bad ways. She recently said, ‘I always knew you would be this man. I knew this man was in that boy.’ "

“There are times I’ve wanted to quit music, in the last five years even. I’ve come home and said, ‘I’m done. I can’t do this anymore. It’s eating me up.’ And she’d say, ‘Yes you can. You got to. You’ve got to get back to work, have a better mindset, and push through.’ And I did,” Cody added. “If I had to give it all up for her, I’d do it.”

source: people.com