The Country Music Association is again set to honor some of the songwriters behind country music’s biggest hits of the year when the 2026 CMA Triple Play Awards are held Monday, April 13, in Nashville, and hosted by songwriter and CMA board member Jim Beavers.
This year, the CMA Triple Play Awards will honor 16 recipients: 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.
The CMA Triple Play Award recognizes songwriters who earn three No. 1 hits within a 12-month period, as measured by the Country Aircheck and Billboard‘s Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts.
The CMA is also honoring more than 40 songwriters who are celebrating their first No. 1 country hit since the previous year’s ceremony. Albert, Bell, Green, Kasher Hindlin, Langley, Morgan, Pendergrass and Post each celebrate their first CMA Triple Play Award this year. Meanwhile, Gorley remains the most decorated recipient and will receive his 27th CMA Triple Play Award at this year’s ceremony.
As the ceremony is centered on the songwriters who create country music’s biggest hits, the CMA is also honoring a longtime champion and advocate for songwriters. Bart Herbison, executive director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, will be presented with the CMA songwriter advocate award. The honor recognizes individuals who have significantly supported and propelled the art and careers of songwriters, making an enduring impact on the songwriting community. Herbison was instrumental in spearheading industry advancements including the Music Modernization Act, and led efforts that resulted in a historic 44% increase in mechanical royalties, and helped launch the Mechanical Licensing Collective. Making strategic investments in the Music Mill studios and Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe, Herbison has continued strengthening the songwriting community.
“I am humbled at this recognition by the Country Music Association,” Herbison said in a statement. “And I want to use this opportunity to thank the hundreds and hundreds of writers, particularly anyone who served on the Nashville Songwriters Association International Board of Directors during my tenure, who have all been integral to our advocacy efforts.”
“Songwriters are the heartbeat of Country Music, and the CMA Triple Play Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the creativity and hard work it takes to land three No. 1 songs in a single year,” Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement. “It’s just as special to recognize Bart with the CMA Songwriter Advocate Award, as well as honor those celebrating their very first No. 1 — a milestone that is often the start of an extraordinary career. Bringing our songwriting community together to recognize these achievements is one of the most meaningful ways CMA supports the people behind the music and the continued growth of the genre.”
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 feat. Morgan Wallen
“Pour Me A Drink,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Blake Shelton
“Guy For That,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Luke Combs
John Byron
“This Town’s Been Too Good to Us,” recorded by Dylan Scott
“What I Want,” recorded by Morgan Wallen feat. 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 feat. Riley Green
“Worst Way,” recorded by Riley Green
“Don’t Mind If I Do,” recorded by Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
Charlie Handsome
“Guy For That,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Luke Combs
“This Town’s Been Too Good to Us,” recorded by Dylan Scott
“What I Want,” recorded by Morgan Wallen feat. 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 feat. Tate McRae
Ella Langley
“You Look Like You Love Me,” recorded by Ella Langley feat. 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
“Whiskey Drink,” recorded by Jason Aldean
“How Far Does a Goodbye Go,” recorded by Jason Aldean
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 feat. Morgan Wallen
“Pour Me a Drink,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Blake Shelton
“Guy for That,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Luke Combs
Ernest Keith Smith
“Guy for That,” recorded by Post Malone feat. 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 feat. Tate McRae
“Just In Case,” recorded by Morgan Wallen
