The CMA’s are flashy and fun (and hilarious!) and always about the amazing music and artists that perform it. But have you wondered who the songwriters were behind the winning tunes?

Here is a comprehensive list of this years CMA winners, and a little bit about the songwriters that were a part of these winning songs.

2018 CMA Award Winning Songwriters

Song of the Year

“Broken Halos,” Chris Stapleton (Writers: Chris Stapleton, Mike Henderson)

“Body Like A Back Road,” Sam Hunt
“Drowns the Whiskey,” Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert
“Drunk Girl,” Chris Janson​
“Tequila,” Dan + Shay

According to an article on TheBoot.com, Broken Halos is a tribute to those who have “passed before their time.” It was written by Chris himself and his long time writing partner, Mike Henderson. Mike is a grammy winning songwriter in his own right, and played with Chris in the band The Steel Drivers for many years. You can learn more about Mike in his incredible bio on his website.

Music Video of the Year

Winner: “Marry Me,” Thomas Rhett

“Babe,” Sugarland feat. Taylor Swift
“Cry Pretty,” Carrie Underwood
“Drunk Girl,” Chris Janson​
“Tequila,” Dan + Shay

“Marry Me” was written by Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorely, Shane McAnally, and of course, Thomas Rhett. It was written to be an alternate look at the lives of Thomas and his gorgeous wife, Lauren, if they had never in fact, gotten married.

Musical Event of the Year

Winner: “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” David Lee Murphy with Kenny Chesney

“Burning Man,” Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne
“Dear Hate,” Maren Morris featuring Vince Gill
“Drowns the Whiskey,” Jason Aldean featuring Miranda Lambert
“Meant to Be,” Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line

You may know David Lee Murphy as the artist who released “Dust on the Bottle” back in 1995, but he’s been writing every since. He’s a writer on tons of todays’ pop country hits – like Jason Aldean’s “Big Great Tractor” and Kenny Chesney’s “Pirate Flag.” So it’s no wonder that Kenny and David got together to release David’s next chart topped, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”. When Kenny heart the song, he immediately thought it was catchy and had a calming, tropical vibe that totally fit his brand. And the musical event of the year was born!

Single of the Year

Winner: “Broken Halos,” Chris Stapleton

“Drinkin’ Problem,” Midland
“Drowns the Whiskey,” Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert
“Meant to Be,” Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
“Tequila,” Dan + Shay

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Other categories

Here are the rest of the night’s winners:

Entertainer of the Year

Winner: Keith Urban

Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
​Kenny Chesney
Chris StapletonFemale Vocalist of the Year

Female Vocalist of the Year

​Winner: Carrie Underwood

Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves

Male Vocalist of the Year

Winner: Chris Stapleton

Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Keith Urban

Vocal Duo of the Year

Winner: Brothers Osborne

Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Sugarland

New Artist of the Year

Winner: Luke Combs

Lauren Alaina
Chris Janson
Midland
Brett Young

Vocal Group of the Year

Winner: Old Dominion

Lady Antebellum
LANCO​
Little Big Town
Midland

Album of the Year

Winner: Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves​

From A Room: Volume 2, Chris Stapleton
Graffiti U, Keith Urban
Life Changes, Thomas Rhett
The Mountain, Dierks Bentley

Musician of the Year

Winner: Mac McAnally, Guitar 

Jerry Douglas, Dobro
Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
Dann Huff, Guitar
Derek Wells, Guitar