Four of the five nominees in the New Artist of the Year race have reached #1 at country radio.
The other nominee is the one taking home the trophy.
Chris Stapleton, who has amassed tremendous critical acclaim but no radio success as a performer, just won the New Artist award at Wednesday’s CMA Awards ceremony.
Stapleton beat out Sam Hunt, Kelsea Ballerini, Maddie & Tae, and Thomas Rhett for the honor. All four have enjoyed considerably more radio success. Hunt and Rhett have begun to establish themselves as legitimate country superstars.
— On the heels of his victory, Stapleton took the stage for a duet with Justin Timberlake. To say the duo stole the show is the understatement of the century.