Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt Go Home as Winners at the 2018 iHeartRadio Awards

Luke Combs also won a trophy for New Country Artist of the Year, representing the genre proudly.

Written by Kelly Brickey
Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt Go Home as Winners at the 2018 iHeartRadio Awards
Dustin Lynch; Photo by Gabriel Olsen/WireImage

Country music carved out its own success in the form of trophies at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Sunday night (3/11).

While the iHeartRadio Music Awards celebrate artists in all genres, country found its own spotlight moment when a few of the favorites earned the 2018 titles. After smashing it both on country and pop radio all throughout last summer, Sam Hunt came out on top in the Country Song of the Year category with “Body Like a Back Road.”

Luke Combs had something to celebrate by triumphing over the competition of New Country Artist of the Year. Unfortunately, he lost out in the overall New Artist of the Year category to rapper Cardi B, but still felt great to find himself in good company.

Even Thomas Rhett took the W for Country Artist of the Year, outdoing Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan among others. Learning the great news just days before the show, Rhett sent his gratitude through a short and sweet video clip.

“Wow, country artist of the year. That is insane. Thank you guys so much for voting for that and voting me in there because there are so many great country artists out there also that just deserve this completely. So I am just blown away that you have given this to me,” Rhett said in his acceptance video, also sending shout-outs to iHeartRadio and his record label for their support.

Dustin Lynch made an appearance at the show and presented alongside actress Isla Fisher, in which the two bantered over who would take home the trophy for Female Artist of the Year. In the end, former country singer Taylor Swift came out victorious and used her winning speech to introduce the world to her brand-new video for her track, “Delicate.”

Dan + Shay received some attention as well during the broadcast, making the list for the 2018 Playlist Must-Haves next to artists like Camila Cabello, CHVRCHES, Bazzi and more.

For a list of all the winners from the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards, head over to the iHeartRadio official website.