Carrie Underwood Surprises Nashville Crowd, Joins Cody Johnson on Duet

Cody Johnson surprised the Bridgestone Arena audience with a powerful singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood Wednesday evening (November 20). Johnson took the stage to perform the duo’s soulful duet, “I’m Gonna Love You,” at the 58th CMA Awards in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

Underwood joined Johnson on the romantic ballad, which appears on Johnson’s deluxe edition of Leather. The amazing song – written by Chris Stevens, Kelly Archer and Travis Denning and produced by Trent Willmon — is one of 13 new tracks in the collection. Leather Deluxe released earlier this month.

“From the moment I heard this song, I heard Carrie’s voice on it. It was non-negotiable for me; either we sing it together or I wouldn’t sing it at all. It’s so special to me,” Johnson previously said of his collaboration with Underwood. “Working with Carrie has been an absolute pleasure. Not only is she a hell of a singer, but she is a class act all the way around. It warms my heart to work with someone who has seen so much success in their career and they are still so down to earth I feel like this duet is going to be massive in so many ways and I couldn’t be prouder of it!

“I think people have preconceived notions of what a big star is like, and she’s not,” he added on a recent episode of Biscuits & jama podcast hosted by Southern Living Chief editor Sid Evans. “It’s like having a friend you didn’t know you had. It’s also really fun to sing with someone who challenges you. Knowing the caliber of vocalist she is helps me step up my game, you know. It has been a real pleasure and she has gone above and beyond. Even when we did music videoI mean, we worked in there for 12 hours that day and she never, ever took the smile off her face and never complained.”

The star-studded lineup of artists at the CMA Awards also includes Chris Stapleton and Post Malone, Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan, Brooks & Dunn with Jelly Roll, Eric church, Luke Combs, Ella Langley with Riley Green, Megan Moroney, Kacey Musgraves, Bailey Zimmerman, Dierks Bentley (with Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes), Luke Bryan, Ashley McBryde, Shaboozey, Thomas Rhett and Teddy swimsand Lainey Wilson. Speakers include Simone Biles, Clint black, Jeff Bridges, Mark Collie, Jordan Davis, Freddie Freeman, Don Johnson, Jackson Laux, Small big city, Dustin Lynch, Katharine McPhee, Oak Ridge Boys, Taylor Frankie Paul, Carly Pearce, Caleb Pressley, Nate Smith, Daniel Sunjata, Mitchell Tenpenny and Billy Bob Thornton. The Country Music Association also unveiled the all-star lineup of artists – Jamie Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson — pays tribute to the country legend George Strait. Strait is the recipient of the 2024 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Luke Bryan returned to host the show again with Peyton Manningand this time they teamed up with first-time host and 2023 Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson. Check back with iHeartRadio for a live updated list of winners throughout the evening, a gallery of the most stunning red carpet looks, coverage of can’t-miss performances and more throughout the evening. The 58th CMA Awards airs on ABC Wednesday night and will be available the next day on Hulu.