Cody Johnson performs during the final NFR weekend
Cody Johnson closed his year of touring with two sold-out shows in Las Vegas on December 12th and 13th. The Texas native performed at the MGM Garden Arena during the second weekend of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) Weekend.
The NFR draws more than 150,000 visitors during the 10-day event. Concerts, tradeshows, and other events occur all over the city to appeal to the rodeo crowd.
Johnson is no stranger to the rodeo. In his early adult years, he competed professionally as a bull rider before quitting to focus on his music career. He still competes in team roping to this day and won the World Series Team Roping qualifier in Texas in February.
View this post on Instagram
Johnson honors the military, shares an inspirational message of unity
Cody Johnson took time during his Vegas show to thank and honor those serving our nation. Any current or former military members, law enforcement, first responders, and nurses were asked to raise their hands and be applauded for their sacrifice. He followed with a poignant reminder:
“Before most of us were born, an American soldier died for our right to disagree in this country.”
Johnson added enthusiastically:
“No matter how differently we believe in this country, at the end of the day, there’s three things that make us all the same… Are you ready? It’s like this… Red. White. Blue!”
The Las Vegas crowd sings “God Bless America” with Cody Johnson
Cody Johnson asked the gentlemen to remove their hats and led the sold-out Vegas crowd to sing “God Bless America.”
“Tonight, out of unity – not division, one nation under God… we’re gonna sing a song together as Americans tonight.”
Irving Berlin wrote the patriotic tune in 1918 during World War I. It has become one of the most widely known and recorded songs of its kind.
It was a special moment when more than 15,000 voices joined Cody Johnson in singing “God Bless America.” Witness it in the video below!