- Tracy Chapman is an American country star
- She has recently been honored at the CMAs
- THIS is how she made history
This has been a long time coming for one of country music's best voices. The accolade came for her iconic song, "Fast Car," which won Song of the Year, a whopping 35 years after its initial release! Chapman, who was unable to attend the star-studded ceremony, expressed her gratitude through a note read by presenter Sara Evans.
"It is truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut," she wrote, expressing her heartfelt thanks to the CMAs, Luke Combs, and the loyal fans of "Fast Car."
Tracy is finally getting the ultimate recognition
"I’m sorry I couldn’t join you all tonight. It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of it’s debut. Wow. Thank you to the CMAs and a special thanks to Luke (Combs) and to all of the fans of ‘Fast Car,’" Evans said on behalf of Chapman.
"Fast Car," originally released in 1988, was up against stiff competition from other Song of the Year nominees. However, it was Luke Combs' cover of the song that propelled it back into the spotlight, helping it climb the charts earlier this year. Combs' rendition also won him Single of the Year!
"I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I'm honored to be there," Chapman told Billboard. Combs echoed her sentiments, praising Chapman as a "supernatural songwriter" and expressing his awe at the success of his cover.
The song was the first single off Chapman’s self-titled debut album, and it earned her a Grammy in 1989 for best female pop vocal performance as well as record and song of the year nominations. With Combs' country grit and the iconic lyrics, "Fast Car" has taken on a new life, resonating with fans across stadiums and reaching new milestones.
A long time coming
Chapman made her major-stage debut as an opening act for women's music pioneer Linda Tillery at Boston's Strand Theatre on May 3, 1985. Another student, heard her playing and brought her to the attention of his father, Charles Koppelman. Koppelman, who ran SBK Publishing, signed her in 1986.
Since then her career has been a collection of hits and amazing songs that many have tried to copy in the past. In fact, in October 2018, she sued the rapper Nicki Minaj over copyright infringement, alleging that Minaj had sampled her song "Baby Can I Hold You" without permission. Chapman stated that she had "repeatedly denied" permission for "Baby Can I Hold You" to be sampled.
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Australian Country Star
It's 5 o'clock somewhere!
Faithful to country music
The award is a huge milestone for black artist within the country music industry, which has been dominated by primarily white artists. And now, Tracy has opened up new doors. There were other winners in the night too. Luke Combs, winner of entertainer of the year the previous two years, took home single of the year Wednesday night for his cover of "Fast Car" by Chapman, who became the unlikely winner of song of the year for a tune she wrote in 1988.
"I want to thank Tracy Chapman for writing one of the greatest songs of all time," the 33-year-old North Carolina singer said as he accepted award. "It's the first favourite song I ever had."
And with that, a new page is written in country music history!
