Tracy Chapman Earns First Academy Of Country Music Awards Nomination

Tracy Chapman continues to gain recognition for her 1988 track “Fast Car.” The lauded singer/songwriter received the first Academy of Country Music Awards nomination on Tuesday (April 9) as country star Luke Combs’ cover of the record racks up critical acclaim.

Chapman is recognized in the Song Of The Year category for writing “Fast Car” with Combs as the performer.

In total, Combs leads with eight nominations including Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Single of the Year, plus Music Event of the Year alongside Riley Green for their song “Different ‘Round Here.”

Released last year, Combs’ rendition of “Fast Car” reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart and No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart. According to Billboard, as of July 2023, Combs’ cover of “Fast Car” has earned at least $500,000 in international publishing royalties, with most of those profits going to Chapman, who owns the writers’ and publishers’ share of the record. Additionally, streams of the original have increased by 44 percent since the newest cover debuted.

“I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I’m honored to be there,” expressed Chapman of the resurgence.

The song was initially featured on Chapman’s eponymous debut album. The acclaimed work earned Chapman Best Contemporary Folk Album, Best Female Vocal Performance for “Fast Car,” and Best New Artist at the 1989 Grammy Awards. She was also nominated for record, song, and album of the year.

Watch Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs perform “Fast Car” at the 2024 Grammy Awards below.

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