Cody Johnson cancels tour dates, undergoes immediate surgery

A country music star has canceled the rest of his 2025 tour dates to undergo emergency surgery.

“It is with a very heavy heart I have to share the remainder of this year’s concert performances will not be able to happen,” Cody Johnson said Tuesday. “While battling a severe upper respiratory and sinus infection, I burst my ear drum. The severity of the rupture means I must undergo immediate surgery. The healing process will take many weeks, and it is not possible for me to sing during this time… I pray for full healing so I can get well and return to doing what I love.”

Johnson, also known as CoJo, had more than half a dozen arena shows remaining on his schedule, including an Oct. 18 performance with Clint Black at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Ticket holders will receive information about refunds from their point of purchase.

Johnson posted a video later Tuesday with a bandage over his left ear, saying he was “home from surgery and it went well, as best as they could have expected.” He added that if he didn’t get the surgery, it would’ve taken him months to recover.

It’s unclear if Johnson will still be able to attend the CMA Awards on Nov. 19. Johnson is nominated for four Country Music Association Awards this year, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Musical Event of the Year for his collaboration with Carrie Underwood, “I’m Gonna Love You.”

Johnson is currently scheduled to return to performing in February and will headline the Stagecoach Festival in April alongside Post Malone and Lainey Wilson. He’s also booked to play two shows in Columbus, Ohio, that were postponed in September due to health issues.

Johnson, 38, is one of the biggest country stars of the past five years thanks to hits like “Til You Can’t,” “Human,” “Long Live Cowgirls” and the ACM Award-winning “Dirt Cheap.” The Texas native won Best New Country Artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2023, despite beginning his career as an independent artist nearly two decades ago.

He most recently performed in Syracuse at the Upstate Medical University Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial in 2023.