Sam Hunt will be awarded the first CMT Artist of the Year award for Song of the Year for his smash hit "Body Like a Back Road." In addition to being the longest running No. 1 by a solo artist in the history of Billboard's Hot Country, the song was 2017's most downloaded country song and also the country song with the most streams for the year.

“‘Body Like a Back Road’ is the clear choice for this inaugural award,” Frank Tanki, general manager of CMT and TVLand says in a press release. “It’s a cross-genre smash that’s bound to become one of Sam Hunt’s signature songs in a growing list of chart-toppers.”

Hunt will be awarded at a special ceremony that airs Oct. 18 at 8PM ET from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The 2017 CMT Artist of the Year special will recognize five honorees. Those selected this year include Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Stapleton and Luke Bryan.

In addition to honoring the Artists of the Year, CMT will use the special to extend recognition to the victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and the support rendered by volunteers from across the country. Country stars will encourage fans to continue in their unwavering support of the relief efforts for both catastrophes.

Sam Hunt's Best Live Shots

6 Sam Hunt Songs About His Wife, Hannah Lee Fowler

More From 106.5 WYRK