Cody Johnson is having a year he’ll never forget, not to mention the most epic start to his birthday week (he turns 39 on Thursday, May 21). In March, the “‘Til You Can’t” singer broke the all-time Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo attendance record. In April, he headlined the Stagecoach T-Mobile Mane Stage. And just this past Sunday, he reveled in hearing his name called not once, but twice at the 61st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Instead of solely relishing in his own success, though, he, in true Cody form, used his platform to shed light on someone else.
On Sunday, May 17, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Cody took home wins for two of the four categories he was up for. While he lost out on trophies for Single of the Year and Visual Media for “The Fall,” the 38-year-old singer made it even bigger with wins for Male Artist of the Year and the coveted Entertainer of the Year. After using his prepared speech for Male Artist of the Year, thinking that might be his sole win of the night, Cody used his second moment in the 2026 ACM spotlight not to further focus on the hard work that went into winning the award, but to honor a fellow country star and nominee who he thinks exemplifies everything the award stands for.
He started his speech by reflecting on how grateful he is to be in this line of work—to be fulfilling his lifelong dream to be a performer, one he’s had since he was a little kid singing Rick Trevino songs into a microphone duct-taped to his bunk bed. He also showed his gratitude for having the opportunity to connect with fans through raw emotions, while also being able to show up and be present for his wife, kids, and cattle ranch. Then, he took a moment to honor the person whose values and grit inspire him day in and day out.
“I want to dedicate this to somebody who you guys probably didn’t expect me to dedicate this to,” Cody began. “There’s a man who was up for this award that I have personally watched devote his life to country music, and I was there the night in Australia when his wife gave birth to one of their sons. And I watched the anguish, and I watched the defeat on his face for not being there because he was across the world playing music in a sold-out arena. And the next night, right after it, I watched him get on stage and absolutely murder the stage… So tonight, I want to dedicate my first Entertainer of the Year award to my buddy Luke Combs. I love you, brother.”
Fans were touched by Cody’s choice to focus his spotlight on Luke, who was also up for Male Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. “Well deserved and much respect for this man. We need more men like Cody and Luke in the world,” one fan commented on the clip of Cody’s acceptance speech. “Amazing entertainer & human! Class act,” someone else exclaimed. “Not only is [he] super talented, he is down to earth. Dedicating his award to Luke Combs shows what a class act he is. I also like that he said he turns his phone face down when he is home and he is a husband, father, and cattle [rancher] first,” another fan chimed in.
We love to see it!
