Online Uproar Sammy Kershaw: CMA Responds Before Nov. 18 Awards
Country singer Sammy Kershaw said the Country Music Association denied him red carpet access at the 60th CMA Awards on Nov. 18 in Nashville. Fellow artists backed him online, and the CMA apologized and said it is in touch with his team.
The online uproar over Sammy Kershaw has pushed the Country Music Association (CMA) to apologize after the country singer said the group denied his request to walk the red carpet at the 60th annual CMA Awards, set for Nov. 18 in Nashville.
Kershaw, known for "She Don't Know She's Beautiful," made the claim last week. It set off a debate about whether country's legacy stars belong at the event even without new music.
Artists and hosts pile on
Riley Green and Jake Owen backed Kershaw publicly. Rodney Atkins said he, too, had been "denied red-carpet clearance."
Radio and media personality Bobby Bones criticized the CMA's red carpet policies. He said artists with small followings and entertainers from outside country music are allowed on every year. "If I can walk the red carpet but Sammy Kershaw can't, that's insane!" Bones said on social media.
What the CMA said
The CMA responded in a statement on social media. It said the red carpet has criteria "to help manage limited space and the security needs for both the artists and the media," as any major televised event does.
The group also apologized for any hurt feelings. "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," the statement said. It added that the CMA is in touch with Kershaw's team and looks forward to continuing that conversation.
The statement did not say directly whether Kershaw or any other artist would be invited to walk this year's red carpet.
The reported criteria
Rolling Stone has described what it believes the criteria are. The magazine said it received a document ahead of the 2025 CMA Awards listing six routes to eligibility:
A previous CMA Entertainer of the Year; a Top 20 single on a Billboard or Country Aircheck songs chart in the past three years; a Top 10 album on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart in the past five years; a Country Music Hall of Fame member; a reigning CMA Awards winner from the previous year; or participation in CMA Foundation or CMA Industry Relations and membership initiatives.
It is unclear whether those are guidelines or firm rules. It is also unclear whether Kershaw would meet them. He has not responded to requests for comment since his initial claim.
Awards night details
The 60th annual CMA Awards air live Nov. 18 from 8 to 11 p.m. ET (7 to 10 p.m. CT) on ABC and Disney+. The show will be available the next day on Hulu.
Reigning entertainer of the year Lainey Wilson returns to host for the third consecutive year. Ella Langley leads this year's nominees with nine nominations.
