Standing up for those who paved the way.
Many in country music were outraged last night after Sammy Kershaw revealed that the CMA Awards had denied his request to walk the red carpet at this years upcoming ceremony.
In a statement shared to his social media, the “Queen of My Double Wide Trailer” singer and ’90s country icon expressed his disappointment at being turned away, especially in a year when the CMAs have announced their intention to honor ’90s country:
“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?”
While Kershaw called the decision from the CMAs “extremely hurtful, embarrassing and very disappointing,” many of his fellow country artists spoke up in his defense.
Riley Green was one of the first to comment and express his disappointment in the decision of the CMAs to keep Sammy from the red carpet:
“If you haven’t earned the right to be there then nobody has… disappointing to say the least.”
Jake Owen also made it clear which side he was on:
“I’m team Sammy.”
And Carly Pearce stated the obvious truth that the CMAs seemed to have missed:
“many of us wouldn’t be here without artists like you…”
Meghan Patrick, meanwhile, said what a lot of us are thinking:
“They’ll let zero talent influencers walk the red carpet but not Sammy Kershaw? I hate it here.”
And Greylan James shared much the same sentiment about who the CMAs decide to let walk the red carpet:
“They’ll let a failed basketball player turned “country artist” and his girlfriend walk the carpet instead of a literal Country Music Legend. Embarrassing and disgraceful to say the least, but not surprising.”
Unfortunately, it sounds like Sammy Kershaw’s fellow ’90s country star Ty Herndon has also had similar frustrations:
“I feel your pain, brother. I feel your pain.”
Trey Lewis said all that needed to be said:
“Outrageous.”
And Drew Baldridge even took to his Instagram story to offer to give up his spot on the red carpet for Sammy:
“I’ll give my spot up for you. If you don’t deserve to be there then I definitely don’t.”
Meanwhile several artists chimed in on our Instagram post about the snub, including Paul Cauthen, who like many others was disappointed but not necessarily surprised:
“Sounds about right. Sammy we love ya.”
Neither was Matt Rogers, an up and coming star out of Nashville:
“Whattttt? That doesn’t sound like Nashville at all”
Tyler Reeve, an artist who’s written hits for names like Luke Combs & Eric Church, Riley Green, Chris Young and many more, couldn’t believe the CMAs would turn away Sammy Kershaw:
“Is this REAL?!? Ain’t no way.”
And Clayton Anderson, an Indiana native who’s opened for artists like Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean, summed it up:
“That’s disappointing indeed.”
There were plenty of others who chimed in as well, but as of right now most of the night’s top nominees haven’t weighed in on the controversy yet.
Of course the whole thing is about more than Sammy Kershaw. It’s easy to say that he’s no longer a mainstream hitmaker, and that they have to limit the number of people on the red carpet and “make difficult decisions” or however they decide to explain it (if they do).
But Sammy Kershaw, along with countless others, have paved the way for the artists who are nominated for these awards. Sammy himself says he doesn’t get to make it to many awards shows, so when he’s willing and wanting to make time to walk the red carpet, to interact with artists who grew up listening to his music and talk to the media to promote country music, why wouldn’t you not only let him but enthusiastically embrace him?
Legends like Sammy Kershaw unfortunately aren’t going to be around forever. And there’s no doubt that when he’s gone the CMAs will rush to honor him and his contributions to country music. It’s just sad they’re not doing it while he’s still here.
But hey, I’m sure they’ll have some great influencers or reality show stars on the red carpet to promote country music instead. Talk about a low rent rendezvous.
