Tracy Chapman makes country music history

Tracy Chapman’s 35-year-old song Fast Car was named both song and single of the year at the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville.

The awards recognised a cover version by Luke Combs, which reached number two in the US and number 30 in the UK this summer.

But they also mark a long overdue milestone: Chapman is the first black songwriter to win song of the year in the ceremony’s 57-year history.

The singer, who did not attend the awards, said the prize was “truly an honour”.

Combs also thanked Chapman as he accepted the single of the year trophy.

“First and foremost, I want to thank Tracy Chapman for writing one of the best songs of all time,” he said.

“I just recorded it because I loved the song. It’s the first favourite song that I ever had, at 4 years old.”

Fast Car was originally released in 1988 as the lead single from Chapman’s self-titled debut album.

A haunting folk-rock rumination on trying to escape poverty, it became a major hit after the singer performed it at Nelson Mandela’s 70th Birthday Concert at Wembley Stadium.

It has since become a standard, covered by everyone from Black Pumas, external to Justin Bieber, external.

It also re-entered the UK charts in 2015, thanks to two competing tropical house remixes by Jonas Blue and Tobtok.

Earlier this year, Chapman said she was “honoured” to find herself on US country radio, via Combs’ cover.

“I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I’m honoured to be there,” she told Rolling Stone, external.

“I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced Fast Car”.

Combs cover is also expected to pick up a Grammy nomination for Record Of The Year when nominations are revealed on Friday.

The song won Chapman three Grammy Award nominations in 1989, including for song of the year. She won for best female pop vocalist.

At the CMAs, the big winner was Lainey Wilson, who scooped five awards, including the night’s the top prize, entertainer of the year.

“This is all I’ve ever wanted to do. It’s the only thing I know how to do,” the 31-year-old said at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

“I’ve been in this town for 12 and a half years and it finally feels like country music is starting to love me back.”

The star, who has become known for her love of bell-bottom trousers, also won female vocalist of the year and album of the year, for her fourth record Bell Bottom Country.

Her collaboration with country star Hardy – a murder ballad called Wait In The Truck – also picked up music video of the year and music event of the year.

Jelly Roll was named best new artist, while Chris Stapleton took best male artist for the seventh time.

“I’ve won a couple of these,” he said, holding aloft his trophy.

Other highlights of the show included British star Cynthia Erivo singing a few bars of Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You before presenting best vocal group to Old Dominion.

Jelly Roll opened the show with a previously unannounced guest, country legend Wynonna Judd, who joined him for a gospel take on Need a Favor.

And Kelsea Ballerini received a standing ovation for a stripped-down performance of her lovelorn single Leave Me Again.