The ACM Spirit Award is a testomony to artists who keep true to themselves and their craft. It is an award that acknowledges those that observe their very own path, create nice music, and embody the spirit of the late Merle Haggard by real performances and storytelling. That is precisely the sort of recognition that retains nation music genuine and thriving.
Cody Johnson is an ideal instance of this, and he was honored with the ACM Spirit Award through the 18th ACM Honors in Nashville. His good friend and fellow nation celebrity, Luke Bryan, carried out a tribute to Johnson, singing his hit track “‘Til You Cannot” and incomes a standing ovation. Bryan then offered Johnson with the award, saying “Cody is an unimaginable artist and a singer who at all times brings his A recreation every time he takes the stage.” Bryan additionally praised Johnson’s ardour and dedication to his music, noting that he is at all times prepared to go the additional mile, even in terms of performing for troopers and their households.
As Bryan mentioned, “I’ll go off script as a result of there’s been numerous instances I have been on the highway watching all of the social stuff that we’re watching, watching Cody Uplift America and the troopers and the households and [I] watch his ardour. [I think] he’ll blow his voice out doing that, however he by no means does.” Bryan’s phrases are a testomony to Johnson’s character and dedication to his music.
Johnson’s acceptance speech was heartfelt and honest, thanking his Lord and Savior for the chance to be there. He mirrored on his journey, noting that he is at all times been instructed that he would not make it within the music trade, however he by no means gave up on his goals. He constructed his fan base from the bottom up, turning down file offers that did not really feel proper for him, and staying true to himself and his music.
As Johnson mentioned, “I am very honored to be standing right here just because even in Texas, they name it Texas music. I used to be instructed so many instances… you are not going to fill this bar room up. It isn’t going to occur for you right here.” He additionally famous that he is at all times been dedicated to doing issues his manner, saying “I turned down so many file offers as a result of it wasn’t proper for me. It wasn’t what I wished. It might’ve required me to sacrifice what I thought-about the integrity of my music.”
Johnson’s speech was a reminder that staying true to oneself is the important thing to success within the music trade. He promised that what followers see at his reveals is “actually my coronary heart, that is actually my soul,” and that he at all times provides it his all when he is on stage. He closed his speech with a easy but highly effective assertion: “Lengthy stay nation music, y’all.”
The ACM Spirit Award is a celebration of artists like Johnson who embody the spirit of nation music. Earlier recipients of the award embrace Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Charlie Daniels, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, and Chris Stapleton. This 12 months’s honorees additionally included Lori Badgett, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Ben Vaughn, Mac McAnally, Rissi Palmer, Randy Travis, and “Twisters.”
The Academy of Nation Music has partnered with CMT to air a particular three-hour broadcast of the 18th ACM Honors, which can embrace unique backstage interviews and highlights from the night time’s celebration. The printed will air on Saturday, September 27, and can be hosted by CMT’s Cody Alan and Carissa Culiner, alongside 18th ACM Honors hosts Russell Dickerson and Carly Pearce.
