CMA honors 13 songwriters

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 – A lucky 13 songwriters were honored by Country Music Association with an award honoring them for having three chart topping hits in the past year. Among those honored were Taylor Swift, Hillary Scott, Brad Paisley, Zac Brown and Luke Bryan

"This occasion affords CMA the opportunity to honor true creators," said CMA Board President-Elect Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville of giving CMA Triple Play Awards at the Songwriters Luncheon. "These exceptional songwriters begin every song with a blank page. They proceed to create something out of thin air that moves us. That's magical. That's why we love and honor songwriters. They put into words and music what the rest of us feel but can't articulate."

"Any songwriter realizes that to get a song recorded and then have it make it to the top of the charts requires the alignment of every single star in the universe," said Tomlinson. "But to have three songs do that in such a short period of time is truly exceptional. I am grateful to be a part of the CMA honoring these gifted creators of song."

Those honored were:

Rhett Akins: "Honey Bee," "Take a Back Road," "I Don't Want This Night to End"

Casey Beathard: "The Boys of Fall," "Come Back Song," "Just Fishin'"

Zac Brown: "Highway 20 Ride," "Free," "As She's Walking Away," "Colder Weather," "Knee Deep," "Keep Me in Mind"

Luke Bryan: "Rain is a Good Thing," "Someone Else Calling You Baby," "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)"

Dallas Davidson: "All About Tonight," "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away," "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)," "All Over Me," "Just a Kiss," "We Owned the Night"

Chris DuBois: "Water," "Anything Like Me," "Old Alabama"

Wyatt Durrette: "Highway 20 Ride," "As She's Walking Away," "Colder Weather"

Luke Laird: "A Little Bit Stronger," "Take a Back Road," "Drink In My Hand"

Brad Paisley: "Water," "Anything Like Me," "Old Alabama"

Hillary Scott: "Our Kind of Love," "A Little Bit Stronger," "Just a Kiss"

Jason Sellers: "Don't You Wanna Stay," "I Won't Let Go," "I Got You"

Taylor Swift: "Mine," "Back to December," "Mean"

Dave Turnbull: "The Boys of Fall," "Anything Like Me," "Old Alabama"

The writers, of course, were honored to receive the award. "I'm humbled and honored to be here surrounded by my heroes," said Akins.

"I'm blessed to be around all of these writers that have helped me down this path," said Bryan.

"I love music so much and I feel blessed by God to get to make it every day," said Laird.

"This is a lot better than working at Home Depot, I can tell you that," said Turnbull.