Sammy Kershaw accepts CMA apology after country stars speak out over red carpet access
Sammy Kershaw's CMA Awards red carpet denial ignited a firestorm among country music artists who say the industry sidelines legends for influencers.
Sammy Kershaw and Rodney Atkins spoke out about being denied permission to walk the red carpet at this year’s Country Music Association Awards, prompting criticism over how the organization treats veteran country artists.
Last week, Kershaw, 68, shared a statement on Instagram in which he revealed that the organization rejected his request to walk the carpet at the upcoming ceremony with his wife, Mendy, a decision that he called "extremely hurtful, embarrassing and very disappointing."
Following Kershaw's post, Atkins, 57, announced that he and his wife, Rose Falcon, were also denied red carpet access and would no longer be attending the ceremony, which will be held on Nov. 18 and marks the CMAs' milestone 60th anniversary.
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After facing backlash from other country musicians and fans, the CMA issued a response in which the organization explained that its red carpet criteria helps manage limited space and security needs and apologized to those who "felt excluded by those decisions." The CMA also added that it was speaking with Kershaw's team.
On Tuesday, Kershaw shared a post in which he said that he had accepted an apology from the CMA as well as an invitation for himself and Mendy to walk the red carpet and attend the ceremony.
The controversy sparked an uproar among country artists, who argued that the CMA has welcomed influencers, actors and crossover celebrities onto the red carpet while sidelining veteran performers. In addition, other country musicians raised broader concerns about how the industry as a whole recognizes artists who helped shape the genre.
In his initial post on Nov. 5, Kershaw wrote that the denial of his request to walk the CMAs carpet "really hurts me." He explained that he learned of the rejection just two weeks ahead of the awards show after he and Mendy had already rearranged his touring schedule and booked flights and hotels.
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"My wife, Mendy, and I don't get to attend these events very often, due to touring and schedule conflicts," Kershaw wrote at the time. "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?"
Kershaw pointed to his decades-long career and longstanding relationship with the CMA to question why he was excluded. He cited his more than 50 years in the music business, millions of records sold, over two dozen Billboard hits, a past CMA Horizon Award nomination and his status as a "lifetime CMA member" since 1992.
The musician also noted that he previously "donated" his time to perform at CMA Fest, and that he hoped he had earned the right to walk the carpet alongside his wife just as they had in the past.
"I’m blessed to still be out on tour every year, performing for the greatest fans in the world doing what I love," Kershaw wrote. "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," he concluded.
Two days after Kershaw's post, Atkins shared a video in which he revealed that he and his wife, who is also a longtime CMA member, had also been excluded from the CMAs red carpet and decided to skip the event.
"Well, I found out that Sammy Kershaw and I have something in common this year. Neither one of us got approved to walk the CMA awards red carpet," he began.
"When I heard about Sammy, I thought, 'What a shame. He's a great guy, sweetheart of a dude. Spent his life representing country music.' Then I found out the same thing happened to me," Atkins continued. "And in a way, I get it. I've always been kind of an outsider, maybe a shrub in the landscape of country music."
Atkins went on to emphasize that he was having his strongest touring year, that his album "True South" reached the second round of CMA voting for album of the year and that his latest single could extend his chart presence into a third decade.
In a statement the musician shared alongside the video, Atkins expressed his gratitude to his fans "who made this career possible."
"You've always made me feel welcome in country music, and that's what matters most," he wrote.
"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," Atkins shared. "I also believe the artists who helped build the foundation of country music, like Sammy Kershaw, deserve a place in its celebrations."
The ""She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful" singer‘s post was met with supportive comments from other country stars, including some from the younger generation that paid tribute to Kershaw for his foundational contributions to the industry.
"If you haven’t earned the right to be there then nobody has… disappointing to say the least," Riley Green wrote.
Carly Pearce commented, "Many of us wouldn’t be here without artists like you…"
Jake Owen declared himself "Team Sammy," while Granger Smith added, "So sad for country music. I grieve for the old CMA."
"This is wild! I’ll give you my spot!!," Drew Bainbridge offered. "You paved the way for all of us on that carpet."
Other artists questioned why influencers were invited to walk the carpet while Kershaw was denied.
"Ugh this makes me sad for country music. Can we please bring back the legends and not influencers?" Kylie Morgan wrote.
"They’ll let zero talent influencers walk the red carpet but not Sammy Kershaw? I hate it here," Meghan Patrick commented.
Veteran country star Mark Chesnutt reacted to Kershaw's snub by the CMA in a lengthy statement on Facebook in which he criticized the organization, arguing that it prioritizes celebrities from outside the genre over longtime country artists.
"So Sammy Kershaw won’t be allowed to walk the red carpet at the big CMA Awards," he wrote. "Well that’s about right. The CMA doesn’t care about us old 90s guys any more."
"It’s a shame they don’t respect the stars that dominated the charts in the past thirty years or before that but they sure roll out the welcome mat for pop stars and Hollywood movie stars and even hip hop artists," he continued. "Anything but country music gets the performance spots on the show."
Chesnutt also contrasted the country music industry's treatment of the genre’s history with the recognition received by rock icons.
"Rock n Roll honors its history and respects its legends while country music industry executives seem to ignore its rich history and its legends," he wrote. "Thank God there’s still a lot of people that love traditional country music. They keep coming to our shows and showing their love and respect for the music we’ve made for nearly forty years now and we’ll keep working for them and not for those who don’t matter to US!"
Country singer Pam Tillis, who also rose to fame in the 1990s, also addressed Kershaw's red carpet denial, though she clarified that her criticism was not solely directed at the CMA.
"So let’s talk about today’s drama in country music: Sammy Kershaw and the CMAs. I’m not going to single out the CMA, because this happens all the time in our business," she wrote in a post on Instagram. "It’s the nature of our industry that the rising stars get the spotlight, just as we did at one point."
Tillis emphasized the importance of preserving a legacy, pointing to her own experience growing up as the daughter of country icon Mel Tillis.
"I learned early that a legacy doesn’t keep itself," she wrote. "Somebody has to stand up and say, ‘This artist mattered. They made a contribution.’ I’ve done that for Daddy most of my life."
She acknowledged that rising stars naturally receive attention, but argued that established performers still connect with generations of fans.
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"And I’ll tell you what I’ve seen: the country audience is a multigenerational audience, and ‘90s country is still very viable, even if it isn’t always visible," she wrote. "A lot of us have three generations of fans showing up to our shows, singing, whooping and hollering for our songs. Many of today’s artists are making it big with their own spin on the ‘90s sound."
"I dare say many of us have felt the sting of being passed over for this, that and the other, in order to create an image that’s only part of the picture," Tillis continued. "I know today’s new artists need all the support they can get in such a crazy, competitive market. But legacy artists who want to show up can be the bridge between where this music came from and where it’s going."
"Many of us never say anything about these slights," she added. "We just keep on doing our thing. As an artist who is a lifetime CMA member, Sammy just spoke out."
On Monday, the CMA released a statement responding to the backlash and citing space and security criteria for red carpet management.
"In recent days, several artists and their fans have spoken out about this year’s CMA Awards red carpet guidelines," the organization wrote. "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 continued. "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."
"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 CMA added. "To that point, we are in touch with Sammy Kershaw’s team and look forward to continuing that conversation."
On Tuesday, Kershaw shared a positive update, revealing that CMA leadership had "extended a sincere, heartfelt apology" which he had accepted following a "sincere and meaningful private conversation."
"The CMA has also extended an invitation for my wife, Mendy, and me to walk the red carpet and attend this year's awards alongside our fellow artists," he wrote. "I am grateful for that invitation and appreciate their willingness to listen, acknowledge our concerns, and work toward a positive outcome."
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Kershaw also thanked fans, fellow artists and the country music community for their support. He explained that he originally spoke publicly because he was hurt, rather than seeking attention or controversy.
The "Cadillac Style" singer emphasized that the controversy was about more than his personal invitation.
"This was never about the red carpet," he wrote. "It was about recognizing and respecting those who dedicated their lives to this music and preserving the history and legacy that makes country music so special."
Kershaw expressed his hopes that the conversations would produce lasting change in how legacy artists are recognized.
"You cannot celebrate 60 years of country music without celebrating the artists who helped build those 60 years," he wrote.
"Country music has always been about honoring where we’ve come from while embracing where we’re going," Kershaw continued. "I have nothing but respect for the incredible talent carrying country music into the future. Every generation of artists deserves its moment to shine, and I believe there’s room to celebrate all of them."
This story was first published by Fox News - Latest. Read the original report