It’s a day that will go down in country music history. Yesterday, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville (Tennessee, United States), 59-year-old singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman was awarded the Country Music Association Awards Song of the Year.
More than thirty years after the release of Fast Car, it was its cover by the artist Luke Combs, reaching second place in the weekly ranking of the most popular songs in the United States (Hot 100), which brought the original back to life. The title was then rewarded in these two versions, on the one hand for the original version by Tracy Chapman which won the best song of the year and on the other hand for the cover by Luke Combs which was awarded the best single of the year.
In 56 years, no black songwriter – man or woman – has won the song of the year award. Tracy Chapman is the first. She was not present during the ceremony but she still sent a message, read by presenter Sara Evans. These words are reported by Rolling Stone magazine: “I’m sorry I couldn’t join you this evening. It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut. Thanks to the CMAs and a special thanks to Luke (Combs) and all the Fast Car fans.”
Hosted by Luke Bryan (American singer) and Peyton Manning (former American football player), the ceremony awarded: Artist of the Year – Album of the Year – Female Voice of the Year – Voice male of the year – group of the year – duo of the year – new artist of the year – single of the year – song of the year – musical event of the year – the music video of the year – the musician of the year.