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
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