THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES CMA TRIPLE PLAY AWARD RECIPIENTS
DURING INDUSTRY CEREMONY IN NASHVILLE

Troy Tomlinson Honored with CMA Songwriter Advocate Award, Surprised with Performances by Kenny Chesney, Tom Douglas, Chase McGill and Jim Beavers

The Country Music Association hosted its 2024 CMA Triple Play Awards ceremony last night, April 15, at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in Nashville. In addition to honoring seven CMA Triple Play Award recipients, CMA also awarded Troy Tomlinson (Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville and CMA Board member) with the CMA Songwriter Advocate Award. The CMA Triple Play Awards ceremony was hosted by composer and CMA Board member, Jim Beavers.

The CMA Triple Play Award is presented to songwriters who pen three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period based on the Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. In total, seven songwriters were honored: Ashley Gorley (four-time recipient this year), Charlie Handsome, Jelly Roll, Chase McGill, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt and Thomas Rhett. Handsome and Rhett were not able to attend and shared video acceptances for their awards.

Each recipient was surprised with a special guest who has played a role in their career to present their award. These special presenters took the stage to share heartfelt words of congratulations before welcoming their recipient to the stage. Presenters included Jesse Frasure for Jelly Roll, Mitchell Tenpenny for Schmidt, HARDY for Phelps, Jordan Davis for McGill, and Chris DuBois presenting a historic four Triple Play Awards to Gorley, the most ever in a single year.

Tomlinson was presented with the CMA Songwriter Advocate Award, which was created to recognize an individual who has dedicated their life to supporting and advancing the art of songwriting and careers of songwriters. In honor of Tomlinson’s lasting impact in the songwriting community, he was surprised with a performance by Kenny Chesney, taking the stage to perform “Old Blue Chair.” Additional surprise performers included a writer’s round featuring songs that Tomlinson helped pioneer. McGill performed “Next Thing You Know,” recorded by Jordan Davis, Beavers performed “Drink A Beer,” recorded by Luke Bryan, and Tom Douglas performed “The House That Built Me,” recorded by Miranda Lambert.

Prior to Tomlinson accepting his award, a video montage showcased interviews and congratulatory messages from artists, songwriters and industry executives who have collaborated closely with Tomlinson and whose careers have been touched by his work. Kelsea Ballerini, Dean Dillon, Douglas, Mike Dungan, Ronnie Dunn, Joe Galante, Jody Gerson, Josh Tomlinson, Sylvia Tomlinson, Sarah Trahern, Ben Vaughn, Jody Williams, Lainey Wilson and narrator Cliff Williamson all spoke about Tomlinson’s legacy in the songwriting community, his commitment and love for songwriters as both people and professionals and the incredible impact he’s had on so many careers.

 

2024 CMA Triple Play Awards recipients were recognized for the following:

 

Ashley Gorley

“She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” recorded by Cole Swindell

“You Proof,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

“Last Night,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

“What He Didn’t Do,” recorded by Carly Pearce

“Gold,” recorded by Dierks Bentley

“Girl In Mine,” recorded by Parmalee

“Thinkin’ Bout Me,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

“God Gave Me A Girl,” recorded by Russell Dickerson

“World on Fire,” recorded by Nate Smith

“Save Me the Trouble,” recorded by Dan + Shay

“All I Need Is You,” recorded by Chris Janson

“TRUCK BED,” recorded by HARDY

 

Charlie Handsome

“Wasted On You,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

“You Proof,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

“Last Night,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

 

Jelly Roll

“Son Of A Sinner,” recorded by Jelly Roll

“Need A Favor,” recorded by Jelly Roll

“Save Me,” recorded by Jelly Roll featuring Lainey Wilson

 

Chase McGill

“With A Woman You Love,” recorded by Justin Moore

“5 Foot 9,” recorded by Tyler Hubbard

“Next Thing You Know,” recorded by Jordan Davis

 

Hunter Phelps

“Best Thing Since Backroads,” recorded by Jake Owen

“New Truck,” recorded by Dylan Scott

“wait in the truck,” recorded by HARDY featuring Lainey Wilson

 

Jordan Schmidt

“wait in the truck,” recorded by HARDY featuring Lainey Wilson

“Bury Me in Georgia,” recorded by Kane Brown

“Watermelon Moonshine,” recorded by Lainey Wilson

 

Thomas Rhett

“Half Of Me,” recorded by Thomas Rhett featuring Riley Green

“Angels (Don’t Always Have Wings),” recorded by Thomas Rhett

“Stars Like Confetti,” recorded by Dustin Lynch

 

About the Country Music Association

Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. Music industry professionals and companies across the U.S. and around the globe are members of CMA. The organization serves as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advances 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; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a three-hour network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on ABC.

(L-R top) Hunter Phelps, Troy Tomlinson (CMA Songwriter Advocate Award recipient), Jelly Roll, Chase McGill, (L-R bottom) Ashley Gorley and Jordan Schmidt at the 2024 CMA Triple Play Awards on Monday, April 15 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN. Not pictured: Charlie Handsome and Thomas Rhett.Photo Credit: Ford Fairchild/CMA

(L-R top) Hunter Phelps, Troy Tomlinson (CMA Songwriter Advocate Award recipient), Jelly Roll, Chase McGill, (L-R bottom) Ashley Gorley and Jordan Schmidt at the 2024 CMA Triple Play Awards on Monday, April 15 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN. Not pictured: Charlie Handsome and Thomas Rhett.
Photo Credit: Ford Fairchild/CMA

Kenny Chesney performs “Old Blue Chair,” to honor Troy Tomlinson at the 2024 CMA Triple Play Awards on Monday, April 15 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN. Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA

Kenny Chesney performs “Old Blue Chair,” to honor Troy Tomlinson at the 2024 CMA Triple Play Awards on Monday, April 15 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA

(L-R) Chase McGill, Jim Beavers and Tom Douglas perform to honor Troy Tomlinson at the 2024 CMA Triple Play Awards on Monday, April 15 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN.Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA

(L-R) Chase McGill, Jim Beavers and Tom Douglas perform to honor Troy Tomlinson at the 2024 CMA Triple Play Awards on Monday, April 15 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA

Troy Tomlinson receives the CMA Songwriter Advocate Award at the 2024 CMA Triple Play Awards on Monday, April 15 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN. Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA

Troy Tomlinson receives the CMA Songwriter Advocate Award at the 2024 CMA Triple Play Awards on Monday, April 15 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA

Related Articles

CMA Events, Professional/Leadership Development

CMA Inspires Emerging Industry Professionals At 11th Annual CMA EDU Leadership Summit

Read More
CMA Events, Current Research & Trends in Country Music

Imposter Syndrome Takes Center Stage At CMA MemberSIPS Event

Read More