THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES THE SONGWRITING COMMUNITY DURING CMA TRIPLE PLAY AWARDS IN NASHVILLE
Bart Herbison Honored with 2025 CMA Songwriter Advocate Award, Surprised with Performances by Josh Osborne and Lee Roy Parnell
Paul Overstreet Celebrated with Powerful Surprise Tribute Featuring His Children
The Country Music Association brought together some of the biggest names in songwriting on Monday, April 13, during the 2026 CMA Triple Play Awards, hosted by songwriter and CMA Board Member Jim Beavers taking place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum™ in Nashville. 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. In addition to the night’s celebrations, Bart Herbison was honored with the 2025 CMA Songwriter Advocate Award.
This year’s CMA Triple Play Award recipients include Andy Albert, Louis Bell, John Byron, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ashley Gorley, Riley Green, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Ella Langley, Chase McGill, John Morgan, Blake Pendergrass, Taylor Phillips, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith and Morgan Wallen.
CMA also recognized 43 songwriters who earned their first No. 1 song since the last Triple Play celebration – highlighting the next generation of hitmakers shaping the format. Many were in attendance to mark the milestone and received a commemorative medallion, an early career achievement that underscores the continued evolution and future of the songwriting community.
Additionally, the evening included the presentation of the 2025 CMA Songwriter Advocate Award to Herbison, recognizing his decades of impact on the songwriting community. To honor his legacy, Josh Osborne performed “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” followed by Lee Roy Parnell with “They Don’t Know You.” Before accepting the award, a video tribute highlighted Herbison’s role in advancing protections for songwriters, including his work on copyright infringement insurance, along with messages from several artists, writers and industry leaders he’s influenced.
A standout moment of the night was an in-memoriam performance of “The Parting Glass” by Hillary Lindsey, joined by Cary Barlowe and Gordie Sampson, honoring members of the Music Row community who have passed whose impact will be felt for years to come.
The evening also recognized Paul Overstreet’s upcoming induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the rotating Songwriter category. His catalog, recorded by artists including Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Kenny Chesney, The Judds and Blake Shelton, has generated more than 50 million U.S. broadcast performances. A member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and a five-time BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, Overstreet’s influence extends well beyond his songs. His children – Summer, Chord, Harmony and Nash – closed out the evening with a surprise medley of his hits.
The 2026 CMA Triple Play Awards recipients were recognized for the following:
Andy Albert
“Bigger Houses” recorded by Dan + Shay
“Hometown Home” recorded by LOCASH
“Somewhere Over Laredo” recorded by Lainey Wilson
Louis Bell
“I Had Some Help” recorded by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
“Pour Me A Drink” recorded by Post Malone featuring Blake Shelton
“Guy For That” recorded by Post Malone featuring Luke Combs
John Byron
“This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” recorded by Dylan Scott
“What I Want” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Tate McRae
“Just In Case” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Jessie Jo Dillon
“Lies Lies Lies” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Am I Okay?” recorded by Megan Moroney
“Happen To Me” recorded by Russell Dickerson
Ashley Gorley
“Liar” recorded by Jelly Roll
“This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” recorded by Dylan Scott
“Park” recorded by Tyler Hubbard
Riley Green
“you look like you love me” recorded by Ella Langley featuring Riley Green
“Worst Way” recorded by Riley Green
“Don’t Mind If I Do” recorded by Riley Green featuring Ella Langley
Charlie Handsome
“Guy For That” recorded by Post Malone featuring Luke Combs
“This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” recorded by Dylan Scott
“What I Want” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Tate McRae
Jacob Kasher Hindlin
“Beautiful As You” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Love Somebody” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“What I Want” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Tate McRae
Ella Langley
“you look like you love me” recorded by Ella Langley featuring Riley Green
“weren’t for the wind” recorded by Ella Langley
“Choosin’ Texas” recorded by Ella Langley
Chase McGill
“Happen To Me” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“I Got Better” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“20 Cigarettes” recorded by Morgan Wallen
John Morgan
“Friends Like That” recorded by John Morgan featuring Jason Aldean
“Whiskey Drink” recorded by John Morgan
“How Far Does A Goodbye Go” recorded by John Morgan
Blake Pendergrass
“Just In Case” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Heart Of Stone” recorded by Jelly Roll
“I Got Better” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Taylor Phillips
“Liar” recorded by Jelly Roll
“This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” recorded by Dylan Scott
“Fix What You Didn’t Break” recorded by Nate Smith
Austin Post
“I Had Some Help” recorded by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
“Pour Me A Drink” recorded by Post Malone featuring Blake Shelton
“Guy For That” recorded by Post Malone featuring Luke Combs
Ernest Keith Smith
“Guy For That” by Post Malone featuring Luke Combs
“Just In Case” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“I Got Better” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen
“I’m The Problem” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“What I Want” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Tate McRae
“Just In Case” 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.
Photo Credit: Alyssa Barker/CMA
Photo Credit: Alyssa Barker/CMA
Photo Credit: Nathan Zucker/CMA
Photo Credit: Nathan Zucker/CMA
Photo Credit: Nathan Zucker/CMA
Photo Credit: Nathan Zucker/CMA
For more information about the Country Music Association visit CMAworld.com.
