Cody Johnson made his home state of Texas proud with a special tribute to the Lonestar State at the 2024 CMT Music Awards.
Live from Moody Center in Austin, the award-winning country superstar kicked off the show with paying homage to his the state of Texas. Johnson strummed his guitar as he belted out the lyrics to the Leather track.
He made his way around the stage throughout his performance and truly shined as a future country music icon.
“That’s Texas” Serves As A Tribute To His Home State
Co-written by Andy Sheridan, Erik Dylan and Wyatt McCubbin, “That’s Texas” is an authentic tune serves as a dedication to Texas and the country singers who are from The Lonestar State, including George Strait, Robert Earl Keen and more.
“That’s my roots. That’s where I cut my teeth. When I was growing up, I loved country music, but there was a sea in Texas of guys like Robert Earl Keen and Cory Morrow and Roger Creager and Kevin Fowler and Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers and all those guys that, you know, they did play outside the state of Texas, but they were very prideful of the fact that that’s where they came from. That’s where I set my goals to,” Johnson previously told Music Mayhem of the track during an interview in November of 2023.
Johnson added, “One of the first times I ever came to Nashville, they asked me to take my hat off, and I’m like, ‘That’s not me,’ and so I think the independent spirit that comes from that, I will always carry, and I’m finally at a place in my career where nobody’s saying ‘You’re just the guy from Texas’ anymore, so I thought ‘What better time to record a song called ‘That’s Texas.’”
“That’s Texas” appears on Cody Johnson’s latest album, Leather, which arrived on November 3, 2023, via Warner Music Nashville. The 12-track project, which flawlessly showcases the Texas native’s authenticity, also features the chart-topping hit “The Painter,” the fan-favorite tune, “Dirt Cheap,” as well as collaborations with Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll.
Is Cody Johnson Nominated At The CMT Awards?
Cody Johnson was among the most-nominated artists at the 2024 CMT Awards with three nods, including Male Video of The Year (“The Painter”), CMT Performance of The Year (“Human” from 2023 CMT Music Awards) as well as the most coveted award of the evening, Video of The Year (“The Painter”).
2024 CMT Music Awards
The 2024 CMT Music Awards also featured performances by Jelly Roll, Bailey Zimmerman, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt, Dasha, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney, Trisha Yearwood and more.
The fan-voted awards show included a star-studded list of one-of-a-kind collaborations and memorable moments. Parker McCollum teamed up with Brittney Spencer to perform “Burn It Down,” while Old Dominion and Megan Moroney joined forces to deliver a performance of their fan-favorite duet, “Can’t Break Up Now.”
Meanwhile, NEEDTOBREATHE and Jordan Davis gave fans a taste of what’s to come on their episode of CMT Crossroads and Sugarland reunited to premiere a brand-new collaboration with Little Big Town, marking the duo’s return to the CMT Music Awards and their first time performing together on the show since 2011.
The three-hour broadcast also honored late country music icon, Toby Keith, with an emotional tribute performance from Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson, Sammy Hagar, all backed by Toby Keith’s longtime band. Lukas Nelson and Rogers Clemens also made special appearances during the tribute.
Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney, Amber Riley, Billy Bob Thornton (Landman), Carly Pearce, Cody Alan, Cody Johnson, Emily Osment (Young Sheldon), Emma Roberts, Gayle King (CBS Mornings), James Van Der Beek, Jane Seymour, Jelly Roll, Max Theriot (Fire Country), Melissa Etheridge, Mickey Guyton, Minnie Driver, Montana Jordan (Young Sheldon), Parmalee and Paul Walter Hauser served as presenters during the coveted awards show.
Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, the 2024 CMT Music Awards aired live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, April 7 at 8/7c on CBS. The show is also available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
