The CMA Awards audience was enthralled with this unexpected performance.

Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood; Photo by Disney/Frank Micelotta

Carrie Underwood made a surprise appearance during the CMA Awards when she united with Cody Johnson in singing their latest duet, “I’m Gonna Love You.”

Prior to taking the stage, Johnson was one of the only artists who remained tight-lipped about what song he would be showcasing at the star-studded event. But once it was his time to shine, the stage set up made it evident that the new single would be performed live for the very first time. It started out with Johnson singing the first verse solo on stage as the soft melody of the grand piano hummed under his voice.
Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood; Photo Courtesy CMA, ABC
Underwood made her grand entrance alongside Johnson for the second verse while wearing a similar white, flowy ensemble as seen in the official “I’m Gonna Love You” music video. The scenery on the stage also mirrored the video as it captured the same western spirit with snowy mountaintops and a desert terrain.

The country stars came together to sing their hearts out, making for one of the most spectacular and stunning moments of the night. Written by Travis Denning, Chris Stevens and Kelly Archer, the narrative at hand focuses on a couple who promises to always be there for their partner, no matter what ups and downs they may encounter. It’s a classic country love song that couldn’t have been sung by a more perfect set of voices.

During a backstage interview, following his Album of the Year win for Leather, Johnson gushed over his duet partner and thanked her endlessly for joining him on the single and last night’s performance.

“Besides Reba McEntire, that is probably the most professional vocalist I’ve ever worked with,” he told Billboard. “She is so great, she is so gracious and she is so talented and she took the time to come here and do this and it meant the world to me. So Carrie, if you’re watching, thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing that.”

Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood; Photo by Disney/Frank Micelotta
One of the song’s writers, Denning, shared a video of him watching the CMA performance from home. He expressed great pride for seeing a song he had written so many years ago finally get it’s chance to shine, thanks to two of the hottest names in country music right now.

“That was one of the most UNBELIEVABLE moments of my life right there. Wow. I’m speechless,” he wrote on Instagram.

“I’m Gonna Love You” appears on the just-released deluxe edition of Johnson’s Leather album. He went into the awards ceremony a five-time nominee and came out an Album of the Year winner, a feat he is incredibly proud of as it proves that despite any criticisms he may have received early on in his career, hard work does pay off.

“Having five CMA nominations is incredible because for a guy like me that was an independent artist for so long, and for people at the time in the town of Nashville saying, ‘you’re really not what Nashville’s looking for, the cowboy hat’s not going to work. The whole Texas thing ain’t really going to do it.’ In all the years of hard work that went into it, I’m finally invited to the party,” he told the Country Music Association.

While the win was a massive accomplishment to add to his resume, he admits it was the chance to perform that meant the most to him.

“I cut my teeth in the bars and honky tonks playing live music and always enjoy playing all the award shows, or if it’s a morning show or anything like that,” he continued. “To get to perform on the CMAs is probably my favorite part of it, because that’s my wheelhouse. That’s when I get to show everybody why I’m nominated five times.”

Cody Johnson was one of many country stars who got to showcase their latest work last night during The 58th Annual CMA Awards. Hosted by Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, and Peyton Manning, the event aired on ABC.