Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road” Earns Inaugural CMT Song of the Year

Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road” Earns Inaugural CMT Song of the Year

Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road” has cruised to another award: CMT Song of the Year.

The inaugural award will be presented to Sam and co-writers Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne at the CMT Artists of the Year ceremony on Oct. 18.

Sam’s “Body Like a Back Road” has been “doin’ 15 in a 30” for 31 straight weeks atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, which shattered the 24-week record set by Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” in 2013.

Since its release in February, “Body Like a Back Road” has garnered 335 million on-demand streams and 1.6 million digital track sales, according to Nielsen Music.

“I wrote ‘Body Like a Back Road’ with my producer Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally,” said Sam to Nash Country Daily. “I connect music to the emotions that come from relationships, so most of the songs that I write are inspired by those circumstances, emotions, feelings, all that kind of stuff. ‘Body Like a Back Road’ is a lighthearted song that was a lot of fun to write. It sort of swings, and hopefully it’s easy to listen to and will put a smile on some folks’ faces.”

Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart All-Time Record

1. “Body Like a Back Road” – Sam Hunt — 31 weeks (2017)
2. “Cruise” – Florida Georgia Line – 24 weeks (2012)
3. “Walk On By” – Leroy Van Dyke – 19 weeks (1961)
4. “H.O.L.Y.” – Florida Georgia Line – 18 weeks (2016)
5. “Die a Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett 17 weeks – (2015)

At the upcoming ceremony, CMT will also honor its 2017 Artists of the Year: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Stapleton and Keith Urban.

The artists will be honored on Oct. 18 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center in a televised special, CMT Artists of the Year. In addition to paying tribute to the honorees with live performances from other artists—including those from outside the country genre—the 90-minute TV special will also “honor the unwavering spirit of those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma and champion the many volunteers contributing to the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.”

CMT Artists of the Year airs live from Nashville on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. ET.

photo by Jason Simanek

Blogs

Chase McDaniel Shares Insight Into His Debut Radio Single, “Burned Down Heaven”

Chase McDaniel believes that listening to music in real-time can have a significant impact on listeners, rather than letting an algorithm choose what they hear. The new country artist recalls three life-changing moments he’s had while hearing songs on country radio, and McDaniel hopes his first radio single, "Burned Down Heaven," has a similar effect…

Chase McDaniel Shares Insight Into His Debut Radio Single, “Burned Down Heaven”

Chase McDaniel believes that listening to music in real-time can have a significant impact on listeners, rather than letting an algorithm choose what they hear. The new country artist recalls three life-changing moments he’s had while hearing songs on country radio, and McDaniel hopes his first radio single, “Burned Down Heaven,” has a similar effect…

Lainey Wilson Set To Make Feature Film Debut In Colleen Hoover’s ‘Reminders Of Him’

Lainey Wilson will make her feature film debut in the Universal adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, Reminders of Him. The Grammy-winning country superstar will join a star-studded cast that includes Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, and Lauren Graham, with the film set to be directed by Vanessa Caswill. This won’t be Wilson’s first…

Lainey Wilson Set To Make Feature Film Debut In Colleen Hoover’s ‘Reminders Of Him’

Lainey Wilson will make her feature film debut in the Universal adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, Reminders of Him. The Grammy-winning country superstar will join a star-studded cast that includes Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, and Lauren Graham, with the film set to be directed by Vanessa Caswill. This won’t be Wilson’s first…

Kacey Musgraves Says She Still Smokes Weed, Reveals She’s Working On New Music

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kacey Musgraves clarified her previous comments on her marijuana use, revealing that she still smokes, though not to the extent she did when she was younger. “I never said I don't ever partake,” says the 36-year-old singer. “I just don't wake up and hit a gravity bong…

Kacey Musgraves Says She Still Smokes Weed, Reveals She’s Working On New Music

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kacey Musgraves clarified her previous comments on her marijuana use, revealing that she still smokes, though not to the extent she did when she was younger. “I never said I don’t ever partake,” says the 36-year-old singer. “I just don’t wake up and hit a gravity bong…

Reba McEntire Thanks Her Fans For Her Legendary Music Career

Reba McEntire has been one of the top female country stars since the '80s, but she realizes she wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of her dedicated fans. In the new Variety cover feature on McEntire as part of their Power Of Women Nashville issue, the 70-year-old country music icon says she owes everything to…

Reba McEntire Thanks Her Fans For Her Legendary Music Career

Reba McEntire has been one of the top female country stars since the ’80s, but she realizes she wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of her dedicated fans. In the new Variety cover feature on McEntire as part of their Power Of Women Nashville issue, the 70-year-old country music icon says she owes everything to…

Sheryl Crow Praises Songwriting Of Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, And Phoebe Bridgers

In a new interview with Variety for their Power of Women Nashville issue, Sheryl Crow reflected on the evolving landscape of women in music, while celebrating the rise of young and talented female musicians. “The caliber of writing is just so good with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Phoebe Bridgers, and these women are not…

Sheryl Crow Praises Songwriting Of Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, And Phoebe Bridgers

In a new interview with Variety for their Power of Women Nashville issue, Sheryl Crow reflected on the evolving landscape of women in music, while celebrating the rise of young and talented female musicians. “The caliber of writing is just so good with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Phoebe Bridgers, and these women are not…