The Country Music Association has announced the recipients of the 2025 CMA Triple Play Awards, recognizing songwriters who have penned three No. 1 hits within a 12-month period. This year, 16 songwriters will receive the honour, including Rocky Block, John Byron, Zach Crowell, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Jelly Roll, Ben Johnson, Chase McGill, Jordan Minton, Randy Montana, Hunter Phelps, Taylor Phillips, Ernest Keith Smith, Josh Thompson, and Morgan Wallen. Gorley and Handsome will be recognised as two-time recipients.
In addition to the Triple Play Awards, legendary music publisher David Conrad will be honored with the CMA Songwriter Advocate Award for his lifelong contributions to the songwriting community. CMA will also celebrate 73 songwriters who have achieved their first No. 1 country hit since the previous ceremony. The awards event will take place on Tuesday, April 29, in Nashville, hosted by composer and CMA Board member Jim Beavers.
CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern emphasized the significance of the award, highlighting the dedication and talent required to achieve multiple chart-topping hits in a year. She also acknowledged the importance of honoring songwriters reaching their first No. 1, recognizing their breakthrough moments in the industry.
Conrad, who has spent over 35 years shaping Nashville’s songwriting landscape, expressed gratitude for the recognition, calling it an honor to be included among past recipients. His career began in the early 1970s, and he played a pivotal role in supporting the careers of artists such as Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Mandrell, and Steve Wariner. Later, as head of Almo/Irving Music’s Nashville office, he worked with artists across genres, including Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, and Gillian Welch. His impact on the industry has been both profound and enduring.
The CMA Triple Play Award underscores the essential role of songwriters in country music, honoring those whose work defines and drives the genre forward. Among this year’s honorees, Block, Byron, Dillon, Minton, and Phillips will receive their first Triple Play Awards, while Gorley continues to set records as the most decorated recipient, earning his 25th and 26th awards this year.
The 2025 CMA Triple Play Awards ceremony will bring together songwriters, industry leaders, and artists to celebrate the creativity and hard work behind country music’s biggest hits.
