Luke Bryan covered one of Cody Johnson’s most iconic hits when he took the stage at the 18th ACM Honors on Wednesday evening (August 20). The event, hailed the “Country Music Industry’s favorite night” took place for the first time at a new “cutting-edge” venue, The Pinnacle, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Bryan paid tribute to Johnson with a cover of “'Til You Can’t,” the award-winning single the Texas-born country star released on his 2021 record. It was written by Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers. Johnson was honored with the ACM Spirit Award. The Academy of Country Music previously explained that “this award is inspired by Merle Haggard and is presented to a singer-songwriter who is continuing the legacy of Country Music legend and 20-time ACM Award recipient Merle Haggard by following his/her own path, crafting great songs and epitomizing Merle’s spirit through genuine performances and great storytelling.

“Before signing to a major label, Cody Johnson built his fan base entirely from the ground up,” the Academy of Country Music continued. “His unwavering commitment to traditional Country values and his Texas roots have set him apart in a time when the genre often trends toward pop. With nearly 10 billion global streams, Johnson’s sound resonates deeply with heartland America and pays homage to the spirit of Merle Haggard’s timeless storytelling. Staying true to his traditional Country sound, Johnson is not just a success story—he is.”

Johnson is the latest country star to receive the ACM Spirit Award, following previous recipients Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Charlie Daniels, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, and Chris Stapleton.

Bryan was one of several artists to take the stage on Wednesday, along with hosting duo Carly Pearce and Russell Dickerson, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild, Amy Grant, special guest HARDY and more. Honorees included Johnson, Lori Badgett, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jelly Roll, Mac McAnally, Rissi Palmer, Randy Travis, “Twisters,” Ben Vaughn, and Lainey Wilson.

The Academy of Country Music announced this week that viewers can catch a three-hour special episode of CMT Hot 20: ACM Honors Edition, hosted by Pearce and Dickerson, plus CMT’s Cody Alan and Carissa Culiner. The special will feature “exclusive backstage conversations with honorees and performers, memorable moments from throughout the night, and exclusive performances,” according to the Academy of Country Music. CMT Hot 20: ACM Honors Edition will make its debut on Saturday, September 27.

Denise Plante