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

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