CMA PRESENTS TRIPLE PLAY AWARDS AT ANNUAL SONGWRITERS LUNCHEON

Three was the lucky number at the annual CMA Songwriters Luncheon with the presentation of the CMA Triple Play Awards, which honor songwriters who pen three chart-topping hits in a 12 month period.

"This occasion affords CMA the opportunity to honor true creators," said CMA Board President-Elect Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville. "These exceptional songwriters begin every song with a blank page. They proceed to create something out of thin air that moves us. That's magical. That's why we love and honor songwriters. They put into words and music what the rest of us feel but can't articulate."

"Nashville is legendary for its songwriters and their ability to convey the triumphs and tragedies of everyday life," said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "CMA is honored to award some of these songwriters for this amazing accomplishment and their contributions to our format."

Recognizing excellence in the format is the foundation of CMA's mission and there were several songwriters on hand at the Country Music Hall of Fame to receive their Triple Play Awards including Rhett Akins, Casey Beathard, Luke Bryan, Dallas Davidson, Chris DuBois, Luke Laird, Jason Sellers, and Dave Turnbull. Also in attendance were hit tunesmiths from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, as well as songwriter members of CMA, NSAI, and representatives of some of the most successful publishers in Music City.

"Any songwriter realizes that to get a song recorded and then have it make it to the top of the charts requires the alignment of every single star in the universe," said Tomlinson. "But to have three songs do that in such a short period of time is truly exceptional. I am grateful to be a part of the CMA honoring these gifted creators of song."

Garnering an unbelievable two Triple Play Awards this year were Zac Brown and Davidson. "I'm blessed to be able to do this for a living and I'll never take it for granted," said Davidson after receiving his trophies.

In alphabetical order, the recipients of CMA's Triple Play Award included:

• Rhett Akins: "Honey Bee," "Take a Back Road," "I Don't Want This Night to End"
• Casey Beathard: "The Boys of Fall," "Come Back Song," "Just Fishin'"
• Zac Brown: "Highway 20 Ride," "Free," "As She's Walking Away," "Colder Weather," "Knee Deep," "Keep Me in Mind"
• Luke Bryan: "Rain is a Good Thing," "Someone Else Calling You Baby," "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)"
• Dallas Davidson: "All About Tonight," "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away," "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)," "All Over Me," "Just a Kiss," "We Owned the Night"
• Chris DuBois: "Water," "Anything Like Me," "Old Alabama"
• Wyatt Durrette: "Highway 20 Ride," "As She's Walking Away," "Colder Weather"
• Luke Laird: "A Little Bit Stronger," "Take a Back Road," "Drink In My Hand"
• Brad Paisley: "Water," "Anything Like Me," "Old Alabama"
• Hillary Scott: "Our Kind of Love," "A Little Bit Stronger," "Just a Kiss"
• Jason Sellers: "Don't You Wanna Stay," "I Won't Let Go," "I Got You"
• Taylor Swift: "Mine," "Back to December," "Mean"
• Dave Turnbull: "The Boys of Fall," "Anything Like Me," "Old Alabama"

Humbled by their success, here's what some of the writers had to say:

"I'm humbled and honored to be here surrounded by my heroes," said Akins.

"I'm blessed to be around all of these writers that have helped me down this path," said Bryan.

"I love music so much and I feel blessed by God to get to make it every day," said Laird.

"This is a lot better than working at Home Depot, I can tell you that," said Turnbull.