Neil Pond It all begins with a song. That’s the time-honored country music mantra, an acknowledgment that all hit tunes start with words and music steeped in the blood, sweat and tears of songwriters. And it was ringing out loud and clear at the Country Music Association’s Triple Play Awards Wednesday night at Saint Elle in Nashville. The Triple Play Awards recognize songwriters who’ve notched three No. 1 hits in a 12-month period based on Billboard and Country Aircheck charts tracking radio play, streaming services and album sales. Sixteen winners were announced at this year’s ceremony, for a total of 17 awards, since the famously prolific Ashley Gorley got two Triple Plays for his six No. 1 songs for the year. Additionally, song publisher and former BMI Nashville chief Jody Williams was feted with the CMA’s 2023 Songwriter Advocate Award for his four decades as a Nashville publishing executive whose dedication to music made him a mentor and a friend to hundreds of aspiring writers and artists. (See below for a full list of winners and songs.)
