CMA Triple Play Awards Shine Spotlight on Nashville Songwriters
The special event honored 16 songwriters who wrote or co-wrote three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period.
CMA Triple Play Award recipients at CMA’s Triple Play Awards on Monday, April 13, 2026 at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN; Photo by Alyssa Barker/CMA
Members of Nashville’s songwriting community gathered at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Monday for the 2026 CMA Triple Play Awards. The celebratory evening honored 16 songwriters who achieved the remarkable milestone of writing or co-writing three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period.
Those recognized with Triple Play honors included Andy Albert, Louis Bell, John Byron, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ashley Gorley, Riley Green, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Ella Langley, Chase McGill, John Morgan, Blake Pendergrass, Taylor Phillips, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, and Morgan Wallen, although Green, Langley, Post, and Wallen were unable to attend.
Hosted by songwriter and CMA Board Member Jim Beavers, the evening also recognized Bart Herbison with the 2025 CMA Songwriter Advocate Award. In tribute to his legacy, Josh Osborne delivered a performance of “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” with Lee Roy Parnell following with “They Don’t Know You.”
This marked John Morgan’s first CMA Triple Play Award, earned for writing chart-toppers “Friends Like That,” recorded by John Morgan featuring Jason Aldean, “Whiskey Drink,” and “How Far Does A Goodbye Go.”
Moments before the event, Morgan kept things honest and humble, opening up about the surreal feeling of earning a spot among Nashville’s top songwriters.
“I’m just happy to be here, to be honest with you. It’s such a niche category of songwriters that even have the ability to achieve this. And again, I get imposter syndrome sometimes…I’ve been so blessed to be in great rooms and just be there at the right time and contribute however I can. That’s always my goal… I always try to read the room and make sure that I’m adding to what everybody else is feeling and vibing on. It’s a fun job. I know that.”
Meanwhile, Jessie Jo Dillon, a second-time CMA Triple Play winner, took a moment to reflect on what the recognition means for songwriters as a whole and her continued disbelief at earning the honor again.
“I think it means a lot because I feel like I say this probably too much, but there are no songs without songwriters. So when we do get forgotten, that’s a little bit crazy to me because you’re talking about a business that actually wouldn’t work or be there without us. So for CMA to recognize us tonight is amazing,” she shared. “And one number one is definitely hard. Three is absolutely bananas. Last year in my speech for this, it’s honestly something I never thought I would get. I didn’t think I was that kind of a songwriter. And then to get it two years in a row, I almost just can’t even process that, to be honest with you.”
Dillon, who was honored for writing the chart-topping singles “Lies Lies Lies” recorded by Morgan Wallen, “Am I Okay?” recorded by Megan Moroney, and “Happen To Me” recorded by Russell Dickerson, admitted she loves how different each of the three songs is.
“When I was just starting as a writer, I always hoped to be able to be a bit of a chameleon and do different things. And I think each one of these songs resonates because they’re just pretty pure. I mean, ‘Happen To Me’ is a banger of having fun, but it’s pure. ‘Am I Okay?’ is an amazing love song that was very pure when we wrote it. And then ‘Lies, Lies, Lies’ is definitely one you cut yourself open to write and was also very pure. So even though they’re all very different, they come from a really honest place,” she explained.
Throughout the evening, the songwriters took to the stage to express their sincere gratitude to the CMA and the Nashville songwriting community.
“It is not lost on me how cool this is,” ERNEST said from the stage. “There’s a lot of legendary songwriters in this town that have had great careers that somehow haven’t gotten a triple play. I think this is one of the coolest things you can get as a songwriter.”
Chase McGill admitted to feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
“I’m deeply indebted to this town,” he shared.
In addition to the Triple Play honorees, the Country Music Association also recognized 43 songwriters who earned their first No. 1 song since last year’s Triple Play Awards, as well as Paul Overstreet’s upcoming induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the rotating Songwriter category.
The 2026 CMA Triple Play Awards Recipients:
Andy Albert
“Bigger Houses” recorded by Dan + Shay
“Hometown Home” recorded by LOCASH
“Somewhere Over Laredo” recorded by Lainey Wilson
Louis Bell
“I Had Some Help” recorded by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
“Pour Me A Drink” recorded by Post Malone featuring Blake Shelton
“Guy For That” recorded by Post Malone featuring Luke Combs
John Byron
“This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” recorded by Dylan Scott
“What I Want” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Tate McRae
“Just In Case” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Jessie Jo Dillon
“Lies Lies Lies” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Am I Okay?” recorded by Megan Moroney
“Happen To Me” recorded by Russell Dickerson
Ashley Gorley
“Liar” recorded by Jelly Roll
“This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” recorded by Dylan Scott
“Park” recorded by Tyler Hubbard
Riley Green
“you look like you love me” recorded by Ella Langley featuring Riley Green
“Worst Way” recorded by Riley Green
“Don’t Mind If I Do” recorded by Riley Green featuring Ella Langley
Charlie Handsome
“Guy For That” recorded by Post Malone featuring Luke Combs
“This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” recorded by Dylan Scott
“What I Want” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Tate McRae
Jacob Kasher Hindlin
“Beautiful As You” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Love Somebody” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“What I Want” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Tate McRae
Ella Langley
“you look like you love me” recorded by Ella Langley featuring Riley Green
“weren’t for the wind” recorded by Ella Langley
“Choosin’ Texas” recorded by Ella Langley
Chase McGill
“Happen To Me” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“I Got Better” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“20 Cigarettes” recorded by Morgan Wallen
John Morgan
“Friends Like That” recorded by John Morgan featuring Jason Aldean
“Whiskey Drink” recorded by John Morgan
“How Far Does A Goodbye Go” recorded by John Morgan
Blake Pendergrass
“Just In Case” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Heart Of Stone” recorded by Jelly Roll
“I Got Better” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Taylor Phillips
“Liar” recorded by Jelly Roll
“This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” recorded by Dylan Scott
“Fix What You Didn’t Break” recorded by Nate Smith
Austin Post
“I Had Some Help” recorded by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
“Pour Me A Drink” recorded by Post Malone featuring Blake Shelton
“Guy For That” recorded by Post Malone featuring Luke Combs
Ernest Keith Smith
“Guy For That” by Post Malone featuring Luke Combs
“Just In Case” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“I Got Better” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen
“I’m The Problem” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“What I Want” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Tate McRae
“Just In Case” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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