Cody Johnson wins ACM Entertainer trophy

Cody Johnson added the Academy of Country Music Awards’ top prize to his resume on May 17, when he won Entertainer of the Year at the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas. The Academy of Country Music listed Johnson as the category’s winner in its official post-show announcement, and Country Countdown USA published backstage remarks from Johnson on May 21 in which he called it his first Entertainer of the Year award. The ceremony was held at MGM Grand Garden Arena and streamed on Prime Video, according to the academy. Ella Langley led the night overall with seven awards, the academy said. ### Which award did Cody Johnson win, and when did it happen? The Academy of Country Music said Cody Johnson won Entertainer of the Year at the 61st ACM Awards on Sunday, May 17. The academy’s winners release also said Johnson finished the night with two trophies, including Male Artist of the Year. (acmcountry.com) Las Vegas was the site of the ceremony, with Shania Twain hosting the show at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The event streamed exclusively on Prime Video, according to the academy’s release. ### Why is this being described as a first for Johnson? Country Countdown USA reported on May 21 that Johnson spoke backstage moments after accepting the award and referred to it as his first Entertainer of the Year trophy. (acmcountry.com) The outlet said winners came by after leaving the stage, and it singled out Johnson’s reaction as an example of how stunned some winners still were. Variety and other post-show reports also described the win as Johnson’s first in the category. Variety said Johnson won Entertainer of the Year “for the first time,” while the academy’s official release identified him as the category winner without contradicting that description. ### What did Johnson say after the win? (countrycountdownusa.com) Country Countdown USA quoted Johnson backstage saying, “Looking back at this moment, it’s kind of surreal. I haven’t let it soak in yet.” The outlet said he spoke just after accepting the trophy. Us Weekly reported that Johnson, speaking on the broadcast, said music was “the greatest drug in the world,” and other post-show coverage said he used his acceptance speech to acknowledge fellow nominee Luke Combs. (variety.com) Country Now reported that Johnson said, “There’s a man that was up for this award that I personally watched devote his life to country music,” before naming Combs. (countrycountdownusa.com) ### Who else shaped the night around Johnson’s win? Ella Langley was the ceremony’s biggest overall winner. The academy said Langley took home seven awards, setting a record for most wins in a year by a single artist. The Associated Press and Variety also reported that Langley dominated the show’s competitive field. (usmagazine.com) The Entertainer of the Year result stood out because it came in the show’s marquee category. NBC New York, citing the Associated Press report, said Johnson took the top prize even as Langley collected the most trophies overall. (acmcountry.com) ### Where can readers find the record of the win and Johnson’s reaction? The Academy of Country Music’s winners release lists Johnson as the Entertainer of the Year winner and identifies the event as the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas. Country Countdown USA’s May 21 backstage post carries Johnson’s immediate reaction after the ceremony. (nbcnewyork.com) Prime Video carried the May 17 ceremony, and the academy said show clips and event materials were made available through its post-show coverage. Country Countdown USA’s backstage item was published four days later, on May 21. (acmcountry.com)