Cody Johnson: Get to know the award-winning country hitmaker

We are big fans of Cody Johnson here at Absolute Radio Country! Cody, who is well known for his hits 'Til You Can't', 'The Painter' and 'On My Way to You', took home two massive gongs at the ACM Awards 2026, and his fans are absolutely thrilled for him.

Join us as we get to know country singer Cody Johnson a bit better - from his rise to fame, his epic albums and where to catch him live next.

Who is Cody Johnson?

Cody Johnson is an American country music singer-songwriter.

How old is he?

Cody was born on 21st May 1987, making him currently 39-years-old.

Cody Johnson’s early life

Johnson was raised by his parents in Sebastool, Texas in the US, with his passion for music sprouting at a young age. Johnson first began playing music at 12-years-old, having being taught by his father, who also performed in their local church.

Alongside his father he learnt how to sing, play several instruments and how to read music in their church. During this time, he began to perform at school and bars while also partaking in professional bull riding at local rodeos.

At the age of 19, Cody worked with his father within the local prison system and it was one of his colleagues there that convinced him to pursue his music career.

In 2006, Johnson formed a band with his dad and other members where they recorded an album ‘Black and White Label’. They released their first professionally produced album ‘Six Strings One Dream’ in 2009, with three singles reaching the Top 10 of the Texas music charts.

He won the 2011 Texas Regional Music Award for New Male Vocalist of the Year which gave him the confidence to leave his job in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to focus on his music career.

Growing career and success

His fifth album, 'Cowboy Like Me', was released in 2014, selling 8,000 copies in its first week of release. The album debuted at Number 25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and Number 33 on the Billboard 200.

'Gotta Be Me' was then released in August 2016, debuting at Number 11 on the Billboard 200 and Number 2 on the Top Country Albums chart.

His seventh album, 'Ain’t Nothin’ to It', was released in 2019 which included the single ‘On My Way to You’, which was his first Top 40 hit on Country Airplay.

Cody collaborated with Brooks & Dunn on a remastered version of their hit song ‘Red Dirt Road’, which appeared on the duo's 11th studio album 'Reboot'. His most recent album, released in November 2023, was entitled 'Leather' and peaked at Number 5 on the US Billboard Top Country Albums.

He kickstarted 2025 in style, headlining the Country To Country festival alongside Nate Smith, Shaboozey, Avery Anna and The Castellows. Two months later, he performed at the prestigious ACM Awards with Brooks & Dunn in a line-up that also included Lainey Wilson, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert among many others.

Cody also took home a major win at The Country Music Association Awards 2025. He was up for Entertainer of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Musical Event of the Year for 'I'm Gonna Love You' ft. Carrie Underwood AND Male Vocalist of the Year - taking home the latter.

There was yet more success in 2026, as Cody took home two massive wins at the ACM Awards 2026 in May. He not only won the big one, Entertainer of the Year, but also took home Male Artist of the Year!

READ MORE: 16 of the most awarded country artists of all time 🏆

Check out the incredible country tours and festivals coming to the UK: