Tracy Chapman, the acclaimed singer-songwriter, has secured a historic win at the 57th annual CMA Awards, clinching the prestigious Song of the Year accolade for her 1988 classic “Fast Car.” The triumph is attributed to Luke Combs’ widely embraced cover of the song, marking Chapman as the first Black artist to receive the Song of the Year honor at the CMAs. Although unable to attend the ceremony at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Chapman expressed her gratitude in a pre-written statement read by presenter Sara Evans alongside country legend Bill Anderson.
In her statement, Chapman conveyed her honor for the song’s recognition after 35 years since its debut and extended thanks to the CMAs, as well as a special acknowledgment to Luke Combs and the fans of “Fast Car.” The win adds a significant milestone to Chapman’s illustrious career and contributes to the ongoing diversification of accolades within the country music genre.
Luke Combs, along with collaborators Chip Matthews and Jonathan Singleton, also earned recognition in the Single of the Year category for their rendition of “Fast Car.” During his acceptance speech for Single of the Year, Combs expressed admiration for Tracy Chapman and the enduring impact of her song on his life since childhood. He highlighted the unexpected success of his cover, recorded for his fourth studio album “Gettin’ Old,” which topped charts and resonated widely on streaming platforms and radio.
Chapman, commenting on her unexpected presence on the country charts back in July, expressed gratitude for Luke Combs’ success with the cover, stating, “I’m honored to be there. I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced ‘Fast Car.'”
The 2023 CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and exclusively streamed on Hulu the following day. Tracy Chapman’s historic win signifies a momentous step forward in recognizing diversity within the country music landscape.
