Thomas Rhett took the stage at the 2016 CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday night (Nov. 2) to perform his Single of the Year-winning hit, "Die a Happy Man."

The singer-songwriter beat out “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw, “My Church” by Maren Morris, Eric Church's “Record Year" and “Nobody to Blame” from Chris Stapleton for the honor earlier in the evening, marking his first-ever CMA win.

“I have to first thank the Lord for making all this happen for us, for opening the doors for me and making me sing in the first place,” he said. “My lovely wife in the blue dress right there. She was the full inspiration for this song ... This is a dream come true. This is gonna go in a special place."

He gave the assembled industry members, country fans, performers and legends in Nashville a stripped-down rendition of the song that centered around his earnest vocal performance.

The song spent six weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart in 2016, which is especially rewarding since it was inspired by his relationship with his wife, Lauren.

“I’ve written love songs but never to the extent of that personal,” he told Taste of Country in 2015. “We strictly wrote that song about me and my wife’s relationship.”

“I just think this song shows how me and Lauren love each other, and I hope this song is an encouragement to other married couples or people that are dating."

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