THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS FOR
THE 2025 CMA TRIPLE PLAY AWARDS
David Conrad to Receive 2024 CMA Songwriter Advocate Award
The Country Music Association, the premier trade organization supporting professionals within the Country Music industry, today announced recipients of the 2025 CMA Triple Play Awards, which honor the songwriters behind some of the genre’s most notable No. 1 hits. This year’s 16 CMA Triple Play Award recipients are 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. In addition, legendary music publisher David Conrad will receive the CMA Songwriter Advocate Award. This year, CMA will also proudly honor 73 songwriters who have achieved their first No.1 Country hit since the previous ceremony. The CMA Triple Play Awards ceremony will be hosted by composer and CMA Board member, Jim Beavers, on Tuesday, April 29 in Nashville.
“Songwriters are the heartbeat of Country Music, and the CMA Triple Play Awards allow us to recognize the incredible talent and dedication it takes to write not just one, but three No. 1 songs in a year,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We’re also proud to celebrate those reaching their first No. 1—a milestone that marks the beginning of many great stories. We look forward to uniting our songwriting community later this month to honor these achievements and the creative contributions that continue to shape the genre.”
“Some of my favorite folks in the Nashville song business have been recognized before me so it’s twice the honor,” says Conrad. “This is as good as it gets, and I am privileged to be included.”
The CMA Songwriter Advocate Award honors individuals who have significantly supported and advanced the art and careers of songwriters, leaving a lasting impact on Country Music and the songwriting community. Conrad, a music publishing veteran with over 35 years of experience, is a pioneer in establishing Nashville as a leading songwriting hub. Starting as general manager for Charley Pride’s PiGem/Chess Music in 1973, he nurtured award-winning songwriters and influenced the careers of artists such as Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Mandrell and Steve Wariner. Later, as head of Almo/Irving Music’s Nashville office, Conrad broadened the company’s influence across multiple genres, working with renowned artists and songwriters such as Jimmy Buffett, Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch. His contributions have had a profound and enduring impact on the music industry.
The CMA Triple Play Award is presented to 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. As part of CMA’s broader mission to honor excellence across the industry, the award underscores the vital role songwriters play in shaping the sound and success of Country Music. Through the Triple Play Awards and other awards and industry honors, CMA celebrates the individuals whose creativity and commitment continue to drive the genre forward.
Celebrating their first CMA Triple Play Award this year are Block, Byron, Dillon, Minton and Phillips. Gorley remains the most decorated recipient and is set to receive his 25th and 26th CMA Triple Play Awards at this year’s ceremony.
The 2025 CMA Triple Play Awards recipients are being 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.
Photo Credit: John Chiasson
For more information about the Country Music Association visit CMAworld.com.
