What a night for Cole Swindell.
Going up against Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Kelsea Ballerini & Kenny Chesney’s “half of my hometown,” as well as “Buy Dirt” from Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell took home the award for Country Song Of The Year at the iHeart Radio Awards for “She Had Me At Heads Carolina.”
Written by Cole, Thomas Rhett, Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Mark Sanders & Tim Nichols, the song is a spin-off of Jo Dee Messina’s 1996 hit, “Heads Carolina, Tails California.”
During his acceptance speech, Cole Swindell started off by acknowledging the victims and families of the Nashville community after the school shooting that took place earlier in the day. He then went on to thank Jo Dee Messina and the original writers of Heads Carolina:
“Thank you for letting me do what I love. Also, thank you to Jo Dee Messina. Without her original song ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California,’ I wouldn’t be standing here. So, as a kid growing up listening to Country radio, I’m living proof that you can achieve your dreams. Love all of ya, thank you so much. Be good to each other.”
The song was the third single from Cole’s fourth studio album, “Stereotype,” and has been certified by the RIAA as a platinum No. 1 single.
The award went to the right person last night. Congrats, Cole.