Jelly Roll, Morgan Wallen, ERNEST and more are among the just-announced 2025 CMA Triple Play Award recipients.
CMA Announces 2025 CMA Triple Play Awards Recipients
The Country Music Association (CMA) revealed this year’s recipients of the CMA Triple Play Awards earlier this month on April 2 via a press release.
“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,” Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, shared in a statement. “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.”
Alongside Jelly Roll, Morgan Wallen, and ERNEST (Ernest Keith Smith), Rocky Block, John Byron, Zach Crowell, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ashley Gorley (two-time recipient), Charlie Handsome (two-time recipient), Ben Johnson, Chase McGill, Jordan Minton, Randy Montana, Hunter Phelps, Taylor Phillips and Josh Thompson were also named to receive the prestigious CMA Triple Play Award — rounding out a total of 16 recipients.
What Is A CMA Triple Play Award?
The CMA Triple Play Awards honor the songwriters behind some of the genre’s most notable No. 1 hits.
The CMA Triple Play Award recognizes songwriters who achieve the remarkable feat of writing three No. 1 songs within a 12-month span, as measured by the Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. This prestigious accolade reflects CMA’s ongoing commitment to celebrating excellence throughout the country music industry and highlights the invaluable contributions songwriters make to the genre’s sound and success. 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.
Ashley Gorley Remains Most-Awarded In History of CMA Triple Play Awards
Rocky Block, John Byron, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jordan Minton and Taylor Phillips will mark their first-ever CMA Triple Play Award this year, while Ashley Gorley remains the most-awarded recipient of the honor and is set to receive his landmark 25th and 26th CMA Triple Play Award at this year’s ceremony.
In addition to honoring the 2025 CMA Triple Play Award recipients, CMA will also celebrate 73 songwriters who have achieved their first No. 1 hit in Country music since the previous ceremony.
CMA Songwriter Advocate Award Recipient: David Conrad
Legendary music publisher, David Conrad, will also be honored at the coveted awards show ceremony in Nashville with the 2024 CMA Songwriter Advocate Award, which “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,” according to the official press release.
“Some of my favorite folks in the Nashville song business have been recognized before me, so it’s twice the honor,” Conrad said of the achievement. “This is as good as it gets, and I am privileged to be included.”
Conrad, a seasoned music publishing executive with over 35 years of experience, played a pivotal role in shaping Nashville into a premier hub for songwriting talent. He began his career in 1973 as the general manager of Charley Pride’s PiGem/Chess Music, where he championed award-winning songwriters and helped launch the careers of artists like Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Mandrell, and Steve Wariner. Later, as the head of Almo/Irving Music’s Nashville division, he expanded the company’s reach across various genres, collaborating with iconic figures such as Jimmy Buffett, Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, and Gillian Welch. His visionary leadership has left a lasting legacy on the music industry.
Hosted by composer and CMA Board Member, Jim Beavers, the 2025 CMA Triple Play Awards will take place on Tuesday, April 29, in Nashville, Tennessee.
2025 CMA Triple Play Awards Recipients
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
