CMA honors Triple Play Award winners

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 – The Country Music Association honored seven CMA Triple Play Award recipients last night while also awarding (Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville Troy Tomlinson with the CMA Songwriter Advocate Award.

Ashley Gorley (four-time recipient this year), Charlie Handsome, Jelly Roll, Chase McGill, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt and Thomas Rhett were honored this year.

The CMA Triple Play Award is presented to songwriters who pen three number one songs within a 12-month period based on the Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Each recipient was surprised with a special guest who has played a role in their career to present their award. 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. Handsome and Rhett were unable to attend.

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. 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.

Triple play honorees and their songs were:

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

The CMA Triple Play Awards ceremony was hosted by composer and CMA Board member Jim Beavers at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.