Cody Johnson Shares Why Working With Carrie Underwood 'Challenges You'

Cody Johnson reflected on his experience working with Grammy Award-winning artist Carrie Underwood on “I’m Gonna Love You,” a powerful duet that appeared on Johnson’s deluxe Leather album.

Johnson spoke about the collaboration on Biscuits & Jam, a podcast hosted by Southern Living Editor-in-Chief Sid Evans. Throughout the conversation, the country star spoke about his “Texas artist” label, his previous job working at a maxim security prison, conversations with fellow CMA Award nominee Jelly Roll about their different experiences with prisons, and much more.

“I think people have preconceived notions about what a big star is like, and she's not that,” Johnson said on Biscuits & Jam. “It's like having a friend that you didn't know you had. It's also really fun to sing with someone that challenges you. To know what caliber of vocalist that she is, that helps me step my game up, you know. It's been a real pleasure, and she's gone above and beyond. Even when we did the music video, I mean, we worked in there for 12 hours that day, and she never, never took the smile off her face and never complained.”

Johnson and Underwood met for the first time backstage at the 2022 CMT Music Awards. Underwood previously said in a statement that she “knew Cody had something special,” when she heard his voice for the first time. Johnson said Underwood was a “non-negotiable” duet partner for him.

“From the moment I heard this song, I heard Carrie’s voice on it. It was a non-negotiable for me; either we sing it together, or I wouldn’t sing it at all. It’s that special to me,” Johnson said in a press release last month. “Working with Carrie has been an absolute pleasure. She’s not only one hell of a singer, but she’s a class act all the way around. It warms my heart to work with someone who’s seen so much success in their career and they’re 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’m Gonna Love You” is one of 13 new tracks on Johnson’s deluxe edition of Leather, which originally released last year. Leather followed Human The Double Album (2021) and Ain’t Nothin’ To It (2019). Find Johnson’s full Leather Deluxe Edition on iHeartRadio here.