CMA Awards Respond To Backlash Over Red Carpet Exclusions

The 60th annual CMA Awards are happening on Nov. 18 at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, and they're facing backlash after Sammy Kershaw and Rodney Atkins lamented that their request to walk the red carpet was denied. Now, the Country Music Association has issued a statement on the matter."In recent days, several artists and their fans have spoken out about this year’s CMA Awards red carpet guidelines," the statement begins. "Like any major televised event, the red carpet has criteria that exists to help manage limited space and the security needs for both the artists and the media. We are deeply sorry anyone felt excluded by those decisions.""Our organization’s mission is to honor the history and celebrate the excellence of Country Music," it continues. "With this 60th anniversary year, we are working extra hard to simultaneously spotlight the last six decades, while also celebrating what has been a tremendous year in 2026. It’s not easy to do all of that in just one night, but we are up for the challenge."It concludes, "We also know this is about more than a red carpet, and we are committed to keep listening and keep finding ways to make sure all artists feel welcome and at home here. To that point, we are in touch with Sammy Kershaw’s team and look forward to continuing that conversation."In Kershaw's initial statement, he wrote:Well, I just found out some disappointing news and it really hurts me. I have to share my disappointment with the CMA as they have denied my request to walk the red carpet for a few minutes at this year's CMA Awards, and I have to say I'm pretty sad about it.My wife, Mendy, and I don't get to attend these events very often, due to touring and schedule conflicts. After adjusting my touring schedule, booking our flights and hotels, she was really looking forward to us sharing a special evening together celebrating country music. Then, to find out I was denied the red carpet two weeks before the show, after being strung along for several months and expecting we would be attending, WTF?After more than 50 years in this business, many millions of records and singles streamed and sold, more than two dozen Billboard charted hits, a CMA Horizon Award nomination, being a lifetime CMA member, that they presented to me in 1992, and being asked to donate my time to play CMA Fest, I would hope I've earned the opportunity to walk the red carpet alongside my wife, as we've done before.I'm blessed to still be out on tour every year, performing for the greatest fans in the world and doing what I love.I believe there should be room to recognize the artists who have spent their lives contributing to this organization's success.I love country music, but never in a million years would I think that a successful country music entertainer (and I'm not the only one) would not be able to walk the red carpet. It's extremely hurtful, embarrassing and very disappointing. I guess the next time I attend the CMA's, it will be in tribute after I'm gone, if I'm lucky.Then, Atkins chimed in:I'm incredibly grateful to the fans who've made this career possible. You've always made me feel welcome in country music, and that's what matters most.I'm having the best touring year of my career. My latest album, True South, made it to the second round of CMA voting for Album of the Year, and my new single, "Years Are Short," could give me charting songs in three different decades.After more than 20 years as a CMA member and countless CMA Fests I've played for free, Rose and I were denied red-carpet clearance, just like Sammy Kershaw. So we've decided not to attend this year's CMA Awards.I also believe the artists who helped build the foundation of country music, like Sammy Kershaw, deserve a place in its celebrations.Country music should never get above its raisin'.