Tracy Chapman won song of the year at the Country Music Awards on Wednesday for “Fast Car,” a folk ballad that topped the country charts more than three decades after it was first released thanks to a cover by the singer Luke Combs.
Chapman, 59, is the first Black songwriter to win that award, Rolling Stone Magazine reported.
She did not attend the awards ceremony in Nashville but thanked the crowd in a statement that was read onstage by Sarah Evans, a co-presenter of the award.
“It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut,” Chapman’s statement said.
“Thank you to the C.M.A.s and a special thanks to Luke and all of the fans of ‘Fast Car.’”Combs, an unassuming star known for his irrepressibly catchy and relatable country anthems, also won single of the year for “Fast Car.” He began his acceptance speech on Wednesday by thanking Chapman for writing “one of the best songs of all time.”
Persons:
Tracy Chapman, Luke Combs, Chapman, Sarah Evans, “ It’s, ”, Luke, ’ ” Combs
Organizations:
Country, Stone Magazine, “
Locations:
Nashville