CMA Crowns Triple Play Award Recipients, Honors Jody Williams

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Pictured (L-R, back row) Josh Thompson, Tully Kennedy, Kurt Allison, Charlie Handsome, Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure, Rhett Akins and Ashley Gorley; (L-R, front row) Ben Johnson, Morgan Wallen, Nicolle Gaylon and Ernest Keith Smith were honored at the 13th CMA Triple Play Awards. Not Pictured: Luke Combs, Michael Hardy, Shane McAnally, Chase McGill. Photo: Ford Fairchild/CMA

The Country Music Association hosted their CMA Triple Play Awards ceremony earlier this week at Saint Elle in Nashville. The ceremony was hosted by CMA Board member and composer, Jim Beavers.

Now in its 13th year, the CMA Triple Play Awards honor 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, the 16 songwriters awarded trophies this year account for those who achieved these three No. 1 songs in a 12-month period: Rhett Akins, Kurt Allison, Luke Combs, Jesse Frasure, Nicolle Galyon, Ashley Gorley (x2), Charlie Handsome, Michael Hardy, Ben Johnson, Tully Kennedy, Shane McAnally, Chase McGill, Thomas Rhett, Ernest Keith Smith, Josh Thompson and Morgan Wallen. The award recipients were honored with video packages highlighting their No. 1 songs throughout the night.

Pictured (L-R): Liz Rose, Robert Earl Keen, Eric Church, Jody Williams and Ashley McBryde. Photo: Ford Fairchild/CMA

In addition to presenting the Triple Play Awards, CMA also honored Music Row veteran Jody Williams with the 2022 CMA Songwriter Advocate Award. The award 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 Williams’ legacy in the songwriting community, he was surprised with performances by Eric Church, Robert Earl Keen and Ashley McBryde. McBryde performed her newly released single, “Light On In The Kitchen,” Keen performed “Feelin’ Good Again,” and Church performed a brand-new, unreleased song “My Nebraska.”

Before Williams was presented the award by Liz Rose, a video montage played with interviews and congratulatory messages from artists, songwriters and industry executives who have worked closely with Williams and whose careers have been impacted by his work. Beavers, Kix Brooks, Church, Bob DiPiero, Nina Jenkins Fisher, Vince Gill, Natalie Hemby, Layng Martine, Jr., McBryde, Maren Morris, Mike O’Neil, Peytan Porter, Rose, Troy Tomlinson, Sarah Trahern, Josh Turner, Ben Vaughn, his son Driver Williams and Kyle Young all spoke about Williams’ legacy and shared personal congratulatory messages.

The 13th CMA Triple Play Awards recipients were recognized for the following:
Rhett Akins
“To Be Loved By You,” recorded by Parker McCollum
“Slow Down Summer,” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Half Of Me,” recorded by Thomas Rhett featuring Riley Green

Kurt Allison
“Blame It On You,” recorded by Jason Aldean
“If I Didn’t Love You,” recorded by Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
“Trouble With A Heartbreak,” recorded by Jason Aldean

Luke Combs
“Cold As You,” recorded by Combs
“Doin’ This,” recorded by Combs
“The Kind Of Love We Make,” recorded by Combs

Jesse Frasure
“Whiskey And Rain,” recorded by Michael Ray
“One Mississippi,” recorded by Kane Brown
“Slow Down Summer,” recorded by Thomas Rhett

Nicolle Galyon
“Gone,” recorded by Dierks Bentley
“half of my hometown,” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini
“Thought You Should Know,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

Ashley Gorley
“Sand In My Boots,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Beers On Me,” recorded by Dierks Bentley featuring BRELAND and HARDY
“You Proof,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Slow Down Summer,” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Take My Name,” recorded by Parmalee
“New Truck,” recorded by Dylan Scott

Charlie Handsome
“I Love My Country,” recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“More Than My Hometown,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Wasted On You,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

Michael Hardy
“Single Saturday Night,” recorded by Cole Swindell
“Sand In My Boots,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Beers On Me,” recorded by Dierks Bentley featuring BRELAND and HARDY

Ben Johnson
“Take My Name,” recorded by Parmalee
“Best Thing Since Backroads,” recorded by Jake Owen
“New Truck,” recorded by Dylan Scott

Tully Kennedy
“Blame It On You,” recorded by Jason Aldean
“If I Didn’t Love You,” recorded by Jason Aldean
“Trouble With A Heartbreak,” recorded by Jason Aldean

Shane McAnally
“half of my hometown,” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini
“23,” recorded by Sam Hunt
“Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” recorded by Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce

Chase McGill
“Waves,” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Never Say Never,” recorded by Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson
“Don’t Think Jesus,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

Thomas Rhett
“Country Again,” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Slow Down Summer,” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” recorded by Cole Swindell

Ernest Keith Smith
“Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s,” recorded by Sam Hunt
“One Mississippi,” recorded by Kane Brown
“Wasted On You,” recorded by Morgan Wallen

Josh Thompson
“Whiskey And Rain,” recorded by Michael Ray
“Wasted On You,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Half Of Me,” recorded by Thomas Rhett

Morgan Wallen
“Wasted On You,” recorded by Wallen
“Thought You Should Know,” recorded by Wallen
“You Proof,” recorded by Wallen

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