Old Dominion crossed a threshold with its first win at the 2018 CMA Awards on Nov. 14. The five-member band took home the trophy for Vocal Group of the Year.

After accepting the award, the group shared backstage that they came into the event with a cautious sense of confidence. "I think we felt pretty good coming into this, but you never know, it's a tough category," lead singer Matt Ramsey recalls. "I personally felt pretty good right up until the moment that they opened the envelope, and I thought 'We don't have it.' And then they said our name."

The "Hotel Key" singers were nominated for the same award in 2017, and Ramsey says receiving the honor is of special significance at the end of a year that also saw them attain three consecutive No. 1 hits with "No Such Thing as a Broken Heart," "Written in the Sand" and "Hotel Key."

"It felt really, really good. It's been really a hell of a year for us, so it's very gratifying and validating that we get to finally get one of these," he says.

The group also opened up about new music, revealing that their latest hit is a strong indication of the musical direction they're heading in. All five agree they're in a self-assured place musically, confident in where they're taking their music.

"I think it's the perfect snapshot of where this album is headed," Ramsey describes of "Make It Sweet" a song he calls a "pure and honest moment" that captures who they are as songwriters and musicians. "We're very comfortable and confident. We're just really happy with the music that we're making right now."

"I'm just really excited for this next record," adds guitarist Brad Tursi. "We've had such a great ride so far and I just feel like this next record is going to take us on another ride."

Old Dominion were nominated for Vocal Group of the Year alongside multi-time past winners Little Big Town and Lady Antebellum and newcomers Midland and  Lanco.

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