2016 ‘MusicRow’ Awards Continue Tradition of Forecasting CMA Winners

Pictured at the 2016 MusicRow Awards (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, Maren Morris, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace, and Craig Shelburne. Photo: Moments by Moser

This year’s MusicRow Awards continued the tradition of predicting who might take home a CMA trophy. The magazine’s subscriber-voted awards were celebrated June 29 during an event at BMI. MusicRow Song of the Year was presented to Lori McKenna for her solo-penned “Humble and Kind,” and Maren Morris was named Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year for achieving her first Top 10 single as a songwriter with “My Church.” At last night’s CMA Awards, McKenna again won Song of the Year, and Morris was named New Artist of the Year.

Lori McKenna’s “Humble and Kind” wins MusicRow‘s Song of the Year honor. Photo: Moments by Moser

For a decade there has been a connection between the MusicRow Awards, held each summer, and the CMA Awards presented the following November. Almost every year since 2006, MusicRow’s Breakthrough Artist winners also received the CMA New Artist/Horizon Award later the same year, including Sam Hunt (2015), Kacey Musgraves (2013), The Band Perry (2011), Zac Brown Band (2010), Lady Antebellum (2008), Taylor Swift (2007), and Carrie Underwood (2006), and Joe Nichols (2003).

Additionally, the MusicRow Awards are often a key predictor for CMA Song of the Year, with honors at both ceremonies going to “Girl Crush” (2015), “I Drive Your Truck” (2013), “If I Die Young” (2011), “The House That Built Me” (2010), “In Color” (2009), “Whiskey Lullaby” (2005), and “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning” (2002).