The jury is out.
If Morgan Wallen ends up winning Album Of The Year at the CMA Awards this year, he won’t be able to get up on stage and accept his trophy.
Why?
Because he isn’t allowed to come.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Morgan Wallen will not be able to attend the ceremony this coming November, the first time in history that an artist has been banned from the awards. That includes walking the red carpet, attending the ceremony, performing, or accepting an award.
The CEO of the Country Music Association, Sarah Trahern, explained the logic behind the decision:
“This was something we looked at from so many angles.
The decision, ultimately, was the man would not be allowed, but the music and the people who were part of it [songwriters and producers] could be eligible.
That made his music eligible in five categories, and ultimately, he was nominated in one.”
Morgan is also the reigning New Artist of the Year.
“This is the first time in the history of the CMA, to my knowledge, anyone has ever been disqualified for conduct.
Honoring him as an individual this year is not right, and he will not be allowed on the red carpet, on our stage, or be celebrated in any way.”
Of course, the conduct she is referring to is the highly-publicized racial slur incident from February.
Earlier this year it was announced that he would be eligible to be nominated in Best Single, Song, Album, Musical Event, and Music Video of the Year categories, in an effort not to limit the opportunity for other collaborators within his music.
However, he will not be eligible for individual artist categories, such as Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year.
He ended up earning the nomination for Best Album for Dangerous: The Double Album, which might end up being the highest selling album of the year, in any genre.
The 55th Annual CMA Awards are set to are live from Nashville on Wednesday, November 10th.
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