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Luke Combs hailed Tracy Chapman “a trendsetting, barrier-breaking artist” for penning “Fast Car,” which originally released in the 1980s and surged in the country music genre when Combs released his cover of the classic ballad earlier this year. “Fast Car” earned the Song of the Year and Single of the Year awards at the 57th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday evening (November 8) in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The victories made history, the Country Music Association confirmed: Chapman is the first Black woman to win a CMA award.
Combs delivered his rendition of “Fast Car” on Gettin’ Old, his 18-track follow-up to 2022’s Growin’ Up, making its debut as Combs kicked off his world tour earlier this year. It was the sole cover on the award-winning country star’s latest album.
“It’s been a long journey. That song’s been a huge part of my life for a long time, and all credit to Tracy for writing one of the best songs ever written. It’s insane to be holding this, for sure,” Combs said, holding his CMA Awards backstage at Bridgestone Arena. He continued later: “I’ve never met Tracy…but that’s something that I hope to do one day in the future. I think she was a trendsetting, barrier-breaking artist when she came out, and she continues to be that to this day. I think tonight is point-proven in that, so I’m super, super humbled to just be a super small part of that. …The song that I’ll play for my son, and a song that ultimately will go down in my history, too. It’ll be synonymous with me now, as well, which is insane to think about because it’s meant so much to me. I would just tell her thank you and congratulations.”
Chapman was unable to make it to the 57th annual CMA Awards, but shared in a statement read by Sara Evans — who presented the award alongside country legend Bill Anderson — that it’s “truly an honor for my song to be newly-recognized after 35 years of its debut.”
Combs took the stage to accept the Single of the Year award, spotlighting Chapman “for writing one of the best songs of all time,” during his acceptance speech, and to perform “Where The Wild Things Are,” also included on the Gettin’ Old track list. Combs was one of many artists to perform during the star-studded awards show, hailed Country Music’s Biggest Night. Others included Kelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, HARDY, Alan Jackson, Cody Johnson, Post Malone, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Morgan Wallen, The War And Treaty, Zac Brown Band, Jelly Roll, K. Michelle, Little Big Town, Megan Moroney, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton, Tanya Tucker and Lainey Wilson.
Which performances stood out to Combs?
“Oh, man. War and Treaty was a super standout for me. And the Jimmy Buffett tribute, I was having a real good time when that was going on,” Combs said backstage. “Those would be the two that really stood out, man. War and Treaty (are) just unbelievable talent. Unbelievably amazing human beings, as well. (I) got to spend just a sliver of time with them over the last year or so, and yeah, hopefully tonight was their moment. They deserve it.”
Watch performances by Combs, War and Treaty, and the tribute to Buffett below.