Mercury Nashville's sudden star, Chris Stapleton, received the Vanguard Award at Nashville's Ryman during last night's ASCAP Country Music Awards.

May we remind you that Stapleton was rocketed into the limelight following his performance with Justin Timberlake on last year's CMA Awards, which are set to return tonight. At the 2016 CMAs, Stapleton is up for the esteemed Entertainer of the Year, as well as Single of the Year ("Nobody to Blame"), Male Vocalist, Musical Event ("You Are My Sunshine" with wife Morgane) and Music Video ("Fire Away"). He's also walked away with two Grammys since last year's show.

"I don't know what to say about everything that has happened in the last year and half," he shared.

Ricky Skaggs, who Stapleton made sure to verbally tip his hat to, was presented with the ASCAP Founders Award.

And Ashley Gorley, who's recently worked a lot with the likes of Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, walked away with the Country Songwriter of the Year trophy for her third consecutive year.

Speaking of consistency, Warner/Chappell was dubbed the top country publisher for the fourth straight year.

Meanwhile, for the fourth straight year, we at HITS have forgotten to wear pants to work the day after Halloween.