NASHVILLE – Songwriters were the focus of attention as CMA Triple Play Awards were handed out at the Sixth Annual CMA Songwriters Luncheon. Fourteen of Nashville’s top tunesmiths received the Award, which is presented to songwriters who pen three chart-topping hits in a 12-month period.
“It’s an honor to host this event that shines the light on songwriters,” said Troy Tomlinson, former CMA Chairman of the Board and President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Nashville. “Songwriters are the foundation of Country Music and today we get to honor their creative contributions.”
“Songwriters touch lives with their craft,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “It is their words and melodies and stories that connect with the millions of fans of Country Music. I want to congratulate all of the Triple Play Award winners for their amazing accomplishments.”
Attending today’s luncheon were Rhett Akins, Michael Carter, Rodney Clawson, Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley, Luke Laird, Jon Nite, Josh Osborne, Cole Swindell, Chris Tompkins, Brad Warren, and Brett Warren. Also in attendance were hit tunesmiths from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, as well as songwriter members of CMA and representatives of some of the most successful publishers in Music City.
Clawson was awarded two Triple Play Awards during the ceremony as he had six songs make it to the top spot on the charts bringing his Triple Play Awards total to five. Davidson also received his fifth Triple Play Award at the CMA Songwriters Luncheon. Akins, Gorley, and Laird now each have four Triple Play Awards. Receiving their first Triple Play Awards today were Carter, Nite, Osborne, Swindell, Brad Warren, and Brett Warren.
Recognizing excellence is central to CMA’s mission and the Association recognizes songwriters throughout the year with the CMA Award for Song of the Year, which is presented on the annual broadcast to the winning songwriters, and the creation of a rotating category for songwriters in the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame. Throughout the year CMA also proudly opens its door for No. 1 parties and celebrations honoring songwriters.
In addition, the CMA Board of Directors created and launched the CMA Songwriter Series in 2005 at Joe’s Pub in New York City, which has grown to include shows in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Washington D.C. at the Library of Congress, and at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2012, the series expanded to the U.K. and Ireland. The CMA Songwriters Series will return to the U.K. this year as part of the C2C (Country to Country) festival, which is presented at The O2 in Dublin and London in partnership with CMA.
The CMA Songwriters Series also reaches audiences nationwide though a partnership with CMA and Public Television’s acclaimed series “Front and Center,” the first two concert specials aired in the fall of 2014 and featured Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, and their songwriter collaborators. Four more songwriter specials have been taped to air this spring featuring numerous hit songwriters alongside artists such as Brandy Clark, Sara Evans, Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, and Charlie Worsham.
CMA also offers its songwriter members access to affordable health insurance. CMA Instrumental Healthcare offers exceptional benefits with more options to better fit the needs of its membership.
In alphabetical order, the recipients of CMA’s Triple Play Award included:
Rhett Akins: “It Goes Like This,” “When She Says Baby,” “Get Me Some Of That”
Michael Carter: “Get Me Some Of That,” Hope You Get Lonely Tonight,” “Roller Coaster”
Rodney Clawson: “American Kids,” “Dirt,” “Burnin’ It Down,” “Helluva Life,” “Lettin’ The Night Roll,” “Bartender”
Dallas Davidson: “That’s My Kind Of Night,” “Play It Again,” “I Don’t Dance”
Ashley Gorley: “Hey Girl,” “That’s My Kind Of Night,” “Rewind”
Josh Kear: “Helluva Life,” “Drunk On A Plane,” “Neon Light”
Luke Laird: “Downtown,” “Beat This Summer,” “Give Me Back My Hometown”
Jon Nite: “We Were Us,” “Whatever She’s Got,” “Beachin’”
Josh Osborne: “Drunk Last night,” “My Eyes,” “We Are Tonight”
Jason Sellers: “If I Didn’t Have You,” “Sunny And 75,” “Goodnight Kiss”
Cole Swindell: “Chillin’ It,” “Get Me Some Of That,” “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight”
Chris Tompkins: “Redneck Crazy,” “Helluva Life,” “Drunk On A Plane”
Brad Warren: “Highway Don’t Care,” “Little Bit Of Everything,” “Drink To That All Night”
Brett Warren: “Highway Don’t Care,” “Little Bit Of Everything,” “Drink To That All Night”
For more information, visit CMAworld.com.
About CMA: Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. More than 7,450 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; the CMA Music Festival, which benefits music education and is taped for a three-hour TV special; and “CMA Country Christmas,” featuring Country artists performing original music and Christmas classics. All of CMA’s television properties will air on the ABC Television network through 2021.
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