Representing a major win for the Texas country scene, last night Cody Johnson took home the acclaimed ACM Entertainer of the Year award, adding to his long list of accolades he continues to rack up throughout 2026.
Breaking Lainey Wilson’s two-year streak as the reigning winner, the honor marked Johnson’s second trophy of the night after previously winning Male Vocalist of the Year. In true humble CoJo fashion, when he was called up at the end of the night to receive the biggest award of the show, he was beyond caught off guard.
Nervously laughing at the podium, he admitted, “I had this speech prepared, and I kind of gave it away on my last award. So, I have literally no idea what I’m going to say.” Luckily, the “‘Til You Can’t” singer rolled with the punches, reflecting on accomplishing his childhood dreams of performing in front of a crowd while also getting vulnerable about the double life he lives as Cody Johnson, the country music superstar, and Cody Johnson, the loving husband and father of three.
It takes a certain mental switch (and turning your phone off) as soon as he gets home from traveling on tour or dazzling the stage with his fan favorite cover of “Travelin’ Soldier” at grand award shows, to transition into family-man mode. Recognizing the sacrifices it takes to accomplish this insane career while also being a devoted dad, he took the time to wrap up the speech, shouting out an unexpected friend in country music and fellow nominee.
While, unfortunately, the “Hurricane” singer was not in attendance while juggling his currently massive 2026 My Kinda Saturday Night Tour, Johnson graciously dedicated his metallic trophy to none other than Luke Combs. “I want to dedicate this to somebody that you guys probably didn’t expect me to dedicate this to. There’s a man that was up for this award that I’ve personally watched devote his life to country music.”
He continued reflecting on when he was by the side of Combs during what the North Carolina native has noted as one of the toughest moments in his career back in August 2023, “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 soldout arena.” He continues admiring his grit, saying, “The next night, right after it, I watched him get on stage and absolutely murder the stage and go on the stage and play country music and preach the message of country music to a bunch of Australians across the world.”
He then wrapped things up graciously, telling the MGM Grand Arena Stadium crowd, “I want to dedicate my first entertainer of the year award to my buddy, Luke Combs. I love you, brother.” Now, say what you want about Johnson’s win and whether it was deserved, stacked up against some of the biggest names like Combs, Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, and Wilson, but this speech is just a testament to how genuine a person he is, beyond his almost 20-year career.
Both Johnson and Combs know a thing or two about selling out stadiums, with the latter continuing to shatter attendance records at his stops at Ohio, Neyland, and Allegiant Stadium, along with Johnson recently breaking his own ultimate goal of beating out George Strait’s attendance record at Rodeo Houston. Continuing out on his own Live ’26 tour throughout the rest of the year, Johnson will also follow up this big win with the anticipated release of his upcoming album, Banks of the Trinity, in almost a month on June 26.