Reclusive singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman was noticeably absent from the 57th annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday. Even so, her signature song, “Fast Car,” which became a breakout hit for Luke Combs over the summer, received Song and Single of the Year awards, 35 years after she originally recorded and released it.
The first announced category of the CMAs ceremony was Single of the Year, and Chapman was the primary person Combs thanked in his heartfelt acceptance speech. “I want to thank Tracy Chapman for writing one of the greatest songs of all time,” he gushed. “It’s meant so much to me throughout my entire life. It’s the first favorite song that I ever had, since I was 4 years old.”
Combs returned to the podium shortly after to accept the Song of the Year award, with the audience erupting in cheers and a standing ovation when Chapman’s name was announced. Country legend Bill Anderson announced Chapman’s name, with Sara Evans reading Chapman’s brief acceptance speech.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t join you all tonight. It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut. Wow. Thank you to the CMAs, and a special thanks to Luke and to all of the fans of ‘Fast Car,’” the absent Chapman’s statement read.
Combs’s “Fast Car” remake was a massive crossover hit in 2023, receiving airplay not just at country radio, but on top 40 and adult-contemporary stations. Despite not releasing new music since 2008, Chapman introduced her music to a whole new audience, earning an estimated $500,000 in royalties, according to Billboard. When Combs’s version topped Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, Chapman became the first Black woman to ever score a country No. 1 hit with a solo composition. With her CMA victory, she made history as the first Black songwriter, of any gender, to win Song of the Year in the 56-year history of the CMA Awards.
Additional highlights of the 2023 CMAs included a fiery opening performance of “Need a Favor” by Best New Artist winner Jelly Roll and surprise performer Wynonna Judd; an all-star tribute to Jimmy Buffett with various country music superstars; recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Tanya Tucker performing “Delta Dawn” with Little Big Town; Hardy, Morgan Wallen, and Post Malone paying tribute to Joe Diffie; emotional duets by Carly Pearce with Chris Stapleton, Old Dominion with Megan Moroney, and the War and Treaty; and nine-time nominee Lainey Wilson singing “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.” Jelly Roll returned at the end of the night to perform a Judds song, “Love Can Build a Bridge,” with R&B star K. Michelle.
The 57th annual Country Music Association Awards took place on Nov. 8 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and was hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. The night’s biggest winner was Wilson, who collected honors for Entertainer, Album, Female Vocalist, Musical Event, and Music Video of the Year. To see a full list of CMAs winners, click here.
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