CMA Celebrates The Songwriting Community During CMA Triple Play Awards In Nashville

THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES THE SONGWRITING COMMUNITY DURING CMA TRIPLE PLAY AWARDS IN NASHVILLE

David Conrad Honored with 2024 CMA Songwriter Advocate Award, Surprised with Performances by John Anderson and Emmylou Harris

Ben Vaughn Remembered with Powerful Tribute and Writer’s Round Featuring Nicolle Galyon, Thomas Rhett and Chris Stapleton

The Country Music Association brought together some of the biggest names in songwriting on Tuesday, April 29, during the 2025 CMA Triple Play Awards taking place at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University. Celebrating the storytellers behind Country Music’s biggest hits, the event honored 16 exceptional songwriters who have penned three No. 1 songs within a 12-month span, a testament to their creativity and influence in shaping the genre’s sound. Adding to the night’s celebration, CMA also recognized legendary music publisher David Conrad with the 2024 CMA Songwriter Advocate Award for his decades-long dedication to championing songwriters and elevating their careers. The evening, hosted by songwriter and CMA Board member Jim Beavers, was filled with heartfelt moments, unforgettable performances and a deep appreciation for the craft of songwriting.

This year’s CMA Triple Play Award recipients included Rocky Block, John Byron, Zach Crowell, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ashley Gorley (two-time recipient), Charlie Handsome (two-time recipient), Jelly Roll, Ben Johnson, Chase McGill, Jordan Minton, Randy Montana, Hunter Phelps, Taylor Phillips, Ernest Keith Smith, Josh Thompson and Morgan Wallen.

The evening included Conrad being presented with the CMA Songwriter Advocate Award, a recognition of his profound impact on the songwriting community. To honor his lasting legacy, the night featured a series of surprise performances from two Country Music Hall of Fame members whose careers have been shaped by Conrad’s influence. John Anderson took the stage with a moving performance of “Seminole Wind,” followed by Emmylou Harris delivering a stunning rendition of “Red Dirt Girl.”  Before Conrad took the stage to accept his award, a heartfelt video montage played, featuring messages from artists, songwriters, and industry leaders who have worked alongside him and have been impacted by his guidance and passion for the craft.

One of the night’s most touching moments came as a special tribute to the late Ben Vaughn, the beloved President & CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville, whose influence on the songwriting world remains immeasurable. Rhett Akins shared heartfelt words about Vaughn’s unwavering commitment to songwriters after a powerful writer’s round took place, featuring Nicolle Galyon performing “Boy,” Thomas Rhett delivering a heartfelt version of “Beer With Jesus” and Chris Stapleton closing with “Mountains Of My Mind.” The artists reflected on the ways Vaughn had shaped their journeys and how deeply he is missed, underscoring the incredible impact he had on the music industry.

For the first time ever, CMA proudly recognized 72 incredible songwriters who earned their first No. 1 song since the last Triple Play celebration. Many of these rising talents were in the room as they were honored for this career milestone, marking what is sure to be the beginning of many more chart-topping successes.

 

The 2025 CMA Triple Play Awards recipients were recognized for the following:

 

Rocky Block
“Man Made A Bar,” recorded by Morgan Wallen feat. Eric Church
“Cowgirls,” recorded by Morgan Wallen feat. ERNEST
“Pour Me A Drink,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Blake Shelton

 

John Byron
“Thinkin’ Bout Me,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Pour Me A Drink,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Blake Shelton
“Love Somebody,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

 

Zach Crowell
“God Gave Me A Girl,” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“Stars Like Confetti,” recorded by Dustin Lynch
“Outskirts,” recorded by Sam Hunt

 

Jessie Jo Dillon
“Memory Lane,” recorded by Old Dominion
“Back Then Right Now,” recorded by Tyler Hubbard
“Halfway To Hell,” recorded by Jelly Roll

 

Ashley Gorley
“I Had Some Help,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen
“Cowgirls,” recorded by Morgan Wallen feat. ERNEST
“Bulletproof,” recorded by Nate Smith
“Young Love & Saturday Nights,” recorded by Chris Young
“Love Somebody,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“I Am Not Okay,” recorded by Jelly Roll

 

Charlie Handsome
“Thinkin’ Bout Me,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“I Had Some Help,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen
“Cowgirls,” recorded by Morgan Wallen feat. ERNEST

“Pour Me A Drink,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Blake Shelton
“Love Somebody,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

“I’m The Problem,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

 

Jelly Roll
“Halfway To Hell,” recorded by Jelly Roll
“I Am Not Okay,” recorded by Jelly Roll
“Liar,” recorded by Jelly Roll

 

Ben Johnson
“TRUCK BED,” recorded by HARDY
“Bulletproof,” recorded by Nate Smith
“Liar,” recorded by Jelly Roll

 

Chase McGill
“God Gave Me A Girl,” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“Mamaw’s House,” recorded by Thomas Rhett feat. Morgan Wallen
“Chevrolet,” recorded by Dustin Lynch feat. Jelly Roll

 

Jordan Minton
“Save Me The Trouble,” recorded by Dan + Shay
“your place,” recorded by Ashley Cooke
“Love You, Miss You, Mean It,” recorded by Luke Bryan

 

Randy Montana
“Different ’Round Here,” recorded by Riley Green feat. Luke Combs
“Where The Wild Things Are,” recorded by Luke Combs
“This Is My Dirt,” recorded by Justin Moore

 

Hunter Phelps
“TRUCK BED,” recorded by HARDY
“Take Her Home,” recorded by Kenny Chesney
“Bulletproof,” recorded by Nate Smith

 

Taylor Phillips
“Thinkin’ Bout Me,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“World On Fire,” recorded by Nate Smith
“I Am Not Okay,” recorded by Jelly Roll

 

Ernest Keith Smith
“I Had Some Help,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen
“Cowgirls,” recorded by Morgan Wallen feat. ERNEST
“I’m The Problem,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

 

Josh Thompson
“Angels (Don’t Always Have Wings),” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Stars Like Confetti,” recorded by Dustin Lynch
“Young Love & Saturday Nights,” recorded by Chris Young

 

Morgan Wallen
“Mamaw’s House,” recorded by Thomas Rhett feat. Morgan Wallen
“I Had Some Help,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen
“Love Somebody,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

 

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.

For more information about the Country Music Association visit CMAworld.com.