Tape Room Music is celebrating a company-wide standout afternoon at the 2025 Country Music Association Triple Play Awards, where five of its writers were honored with six awards at the April 29 ceremony, which recognizes the songwriters behind some of the genre’s most notable No. 1 hits.
Tape Room Music founder and most decorated recipient Ashley Gorley received his 25th and 26th CMA Triple Play Awards for six No. 1 hits within a 12-month period: “I Had Some Help,” recorded by Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen; “Cowgirls,” recorded by Morgan Wallen ft. ERNEST; “Bulletproof,” recorded by Nate Smith; “Young Love & Saturday Nights,” recorded by Chris Young; “Love Somebody,” recorded by Morgan Wallen; and “I Am Not Okay,” recorded by Jelly Roll.
“I consider it a great privilege to be here,” Gorley remarked in his acceptance speech. “Our crew of writers had an amazing year. I’m super lucky to have these songs, but more than that, to get to publish these guys and be a part of their lives.”
Tape Room Music celebrated writers Zach Crowell (“God Gave Me A Girl,” recorded by Russell Dickerson; “Stars Like Confetti,” recorded by Dustin Lynch; “Outskirts,” recorded by Sam Hunt); Ben Johnson (“TRUCK BED,” recorded by HARDY; “Bulletproof,” recorded by Nate Smith; “Liar,” recorded by Jelly Roll); and Hunter Phelps (“TRUCK BED,” recorded by HARDY; “Take Her Home,” recorded by Kenny Chesney; “Bulletproof,” recorded by Nate Smith) were also honored, along with Taylor Phillips (“Thinkin' Bout Me,” recorded by Morgan Wallen; “World On Fire,” recorded by Nate Smith; “I Am Not Okay,” recorded by Jelly Roll), who received his first CMA Triple Play Award.
“It feels impossible to get a cut, then a single, then a No. 1, much less three in a year,” imparted Johnson. “I don’t really understand how that happens, but I am really grateful to my collaborators for writing these songs with me.”
“I didn’t realize how cool it was the first time I received one of these, but now I do. It seems like they are impossible to get, but it happens by being surrounded by awesome people and learning from the best,” acknowledged Phelps. “Thank you to everyone who has believed in me over the years, this is just a crazy thing. So thankful to be a part of the country music family, and thankful to be receiving this award.”
“I am so glad to be here tonight. This is something I always dreamed of since I started writing songs. I once didn’t believe this dream was reachable,” Phillips revealed while accepting his first CMA Triple Play Award. “Thank you to all my songwriters for writing songs with me, without you I wouldn’t be here.”
The CMA Triple Play Award is presented to songwriters who pen three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period based on the Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. As part of CMA’s broader mission to honor excellence across the industry, the award underscores the vital role songwriters play in shaping the sound and success of Country Music. Through the Triple Play Awards and other awards and industry honors, CMA celebrates the individuals whose creativity and commitment continue to drive the genre forward.
Leading up to tonight’s awards, Tape Room Music had a landmark year as its writers dominated the Country Aircheck and Billboard Most-Heard Songs of 2024. With contributions from Casey Brown, Brad Clawson, Crowell, Gorley, Johnson, Wyatt McCubbin, Phelps and Phillips, Tape Room’s team continues to shape the sound of modern country music.
Tape Room Music celebrates six CMA Triple Play Awards.
Standing L to R: Tape Room Music President Blain Rhodes, Andy Sheridan, Taylor Phillips & Hunter Phelps
Sitting L to R: Tape Room Music Director, A&R Caroline Hodson, Ben Johnson, Tape Room Music Founder Ashley Gorley & Tape Room Music Manager, A&R Katherine Godwin
Tape Room Music 2025 CMA Triple Play Awards Recipients:
Ashley Gorley
“I Had Some Help,” recorded by Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen (July 2024)
“Cowgirls,” recorded by Morgan Wallen feat. ERNEST (July 2024)
“Bulletproof,” recorded by Nate Smith (August 2024)
“Young Love & Saturday Nights,” recorded by Chris Young (September 2024)
“Love Somebody,” recorded by Morgan Wallen (October 2024)
“I Am Not Okay,” recorded by Jelly Roll (November 2024)
Zach Crowell
“God Gave Me A Girl,” recorded by Russell Dickerson (November 2023)
“Stars Like Confetti,” recorded by Dustin Lynch (November 2023)
“Outskirts,” recorded by Sam Hunt (April 2024)
Ben Johnson
“TRUCK BED,” recorded by HARDY (March 2024)
“Bulletproof,” recorded by Nate Smith (August 2024)
“Liar,” recorded by Jelly Roll (February 2025)
Hunter Phelps
“TRUCK BED,” recorded by HARDY (March 2024)
“Take Her Home,” recorded by Kenny Chesney (June 2024)
“Bulletproof,” recorded by Nate Smith (August 2024)
Taylor Phillips
“Thinkin' Bout Me,” recorded by Morgan Wallen (October 2023)
“World On Fire,” recorded by Nate Smith (December 2023)
“I Am Not Okay,” recorded by Jelly Roll (November 2024)
About Tape Room Music
Tape Room Music is an independent music publishing company founded by hit songwriter Ashley Gorley, where writers have celebrated 50 No. 1 songs, including 2021 ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC Country Song, “One Of Them Girls.” In 2022, Tape Room celebrated 8 weeks topping radio charts, with two year-end No. 1 songs. Ben Johnson’s “Take My Name” topped the year-end Billboard Country Airplay chart, while Hunter Phelps and Will Weatherly’s “Thinking ‘Bout You” led the Mediabase Year-End Country Airplay chart. Recent number-one hits include Nate Smith's 10-week smash “World On Fire,” HARDY's boundary-defying “TRUCK BED,” Morgan Wallen's 6-week chart topper “Thinkin’ Bout Me” and more. Tape Room Music writers continue to stretch the bounds of their abilities, spreading their talents across writing, producing and performing. Visit TapeRoom.com for additional information.
