During his CMT Christmas special, Cody Johnson delivered a captivating rendition of the classic Christmas song “Away In A Manger” with his parents
Get into the Holiday Spirit with Cody Johnson
As Christmas approaches, there’s no better way to usher in the festive season than with some enchanting Christmas tunes!
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Having previously showcased his talent with various Christmas songs, Cody Johnson took the spotlight for his own Christmas special. Titled A Cody Johnson Christmas, the special premiered on CMT on Wednesday, December 13.
CMT first shared the news back on Dec. 1 on their Facebook page: Cody Johnson and his family are bringing the Christmas spirit with a special night of music and memories!
Joining Johnson for the show were his wife, Brandi, their daughters Clara and Cori, as well as his parents, Sheila and Carl.
The festive event followed two years after Cody Johnson’s debut Christmas album, also titled A Cody Johnson Christmas.
In 2021, Johnson released his Christmas album, which features ten holiday songs. For the TV special, he performed nine of these tracks, transforming classics like Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper” and Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December” with his modern and personal touch. The album even includes a heartfelt rendition of “Silent Night” featuring Johnson’s wife and their two daughters.
In an interview with CMT’s Hot 20 prior to the special, Johnson provided additional details on what fans could anticipate from it.
“This is the most fun I’ve ever had recording music. Expect to see a lot of fun. We brought in some utility players, some background singers, and a string section for a portion of it. My mom and dad are going to join me and show you kind of how I grew up singing music in church. My little girls are going to sing a song with me. This has been fun. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s amazing what I get to hear in my ears listening to this amazing group of musicians.”
Wanting to give fans a little taste of what to expect on the special, CMT released a “sneak peek” video of Cody singing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” the day before it aired (December 12).
RELATED: Cody Johnson Delivers Captivating Cover Of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” During CMT Special
Every performance during the special was extraordinary, showcasing Johnson’s talent and holiday spirit, including his rendition of “Away In A Manger” with his mom and dad.
Back when it was first released, fans loved Johnson’s take on the traditional song, leaving encouraging comments on YouTube.
During his CMT special, Johnson joined his parents for a sweet, subdued performance of the beloved Christmas tune. His father played piano, while his mother stood by his side.
Johnson said the performance was reminiscent of how they all used to sing together in church. That made it extra touching to witness.
Watch Cody perform “Away In A Manger” with his parents on his CMT special below! Also, click here to see all the ways you can watch the full program.