The Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, are one of the most prestigious honors in the country music industry. The 57th edition of the awards show took place on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The show was co-hosted by country superstar Luke Bryan and NFL legend Peyton Manning, and featured performances by some of the biggest names in the genre, as well as some exciting collaborations.
One of the most anticipated categories of the night is the Music Video of the Year award, which recognizes the best visual representation of a country song. This year, the nominees are:
“Light On In The Kitchen” – Ashley McBryde
Director: Reid Long
The story of “Light On In The Kitchen” by Ashley McBryde is a song that pays tribute to the wisdom and comfort that women offer to each other throughout their lives. The song is inspired by McBryde’s own experiences growing up in a small town in Arkansas, where she learned valuable lessons from her mother, grandmother, and other female figures. The song’s title refers to the gesture of leaving a light on in the kitchen for someone who is away from home, as a sign of love and care.
“Memory Lane” – Old Dominion
Directors: Mason Allen, Nicki Fletcher
The story of “Memory Lane” by Old Dominion is a song that pays homage to the past and the memories that shaped the present. The song is about a person who wishes they could buy a house on Memory Lane, where they could relive the happy moments of their life with their former lover. The song describes the scenes and feelings that the person remembers, such as the sunsets, the jean jacket nights, the mornings in paradise, and the feeling of being drunk on love. The song also expresses the regret and longing that the person feels, as they realize that they can never go back to those times, and that their relationship is over. The song is a nostalgic and emotional journey that resonates with anyone who has ever lost someone they loved.
“Need A Favor” – Jelly Roll
Director: Patrick Tohill
This gritty and emotional video depicts the struggles of addiction and recovery, and features powerful acting by Jelly Roll and his co-star. The video has over 100 million views on YouTube and has been praised for its raw and honest portrayal of a difficult topic.
“Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis
Director: Running Bear
The story of “Next Thing You Know” by Jordan Davis is a song that narrates the life of a man who falls in love unexpectedly and experiences the joys and challenges of marriage and parenthood. The song uses the phrase “next thing you know” to describe how quickly and unpredictably things can change in life, from meeting a girl at a bar, to proposing, to having a baby, to growing old together. The song is a celebration of love and family, as well as a reminder to cherish every moment.
“Wait in the Truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Director: Justin Clough
The story of “Wait in the Truck” by HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson) is a song that tells the tale of a man who rescues a woman from her abusive partner and takes justice into his own hands. The song is a dark and gritty country-rock anthem that depicts the violence and courage of the protagonists, as well as the consequences of their actions.
These were five nominees for the Music Video of the Year award at the 2023 CMA Awards – and the Winner is:
Winner
“Wait in the Truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Director: Justin Clough
The song is based on a true story that happened in HARDY’s hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi, where a man named John Hardy (no relation to the singer) shot and killed his girlfriend’s ex-husband after he beat her up.
The song was released on August 26, 2022, as the third single from HARDY’s debut album, The Mockingbird & The Crow. The song features Lainey Wilson, who sings from the perspective of the woman, and also stars in the music video alongside HARDY. The song has been praised for its powerful lyrics and performance, and has been nominated for two CMA Awards, including Music Video of the Year which it won.