Riley Green, Carly Pearce, Jake Owen and several other country stars are coming to Sammy Kershaw’s defense after the singer claimed the Country Music Association (CMA) denied his request to walk the red carpet at the upcoming 60th Annual CMA Awards.
Kershaw took to social media Thursday evening to share his disappointment with the CMA’s decision, admitting that the news “really hurts me.”
Sammy Kershaw Shares Disappointment Over CMA Red Carpet Decision
He wrote, “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.”
Kershaw shared that he and his wife, Mendy, rarely get the chance to attend country music award shows because of his touring schedule and other commitments. This year, however, they were excited to make time for the milestone CMA Awards celebration and enjoy the evening together.
“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,” he continued.
Riley Green, Jake Owen and Carly Pearce Show Their Support
Kershaw’s post quickly caught the attention of fans and fellow artists, including Riley Green, who voiced his support in the comments.
“If you haven’t earned the right to be there then nobody has… disappointing to say the least,” Green wrote.
Jake Owen also chimed in, simply declaring, “I’m team Sammy.”
Carly Pearce, who has often shown her appreciation for the artists who paved the way for her generation, also came to Kershaw’s defense, pointing out that “many of us wouldn’t be here without artists like you.”
Meghan Patrick and Greylan James Question CMA’s Decision
Trey Lewis called the CMA’s alleged decision “outrageous,” while Meghan Patrick and Greylan James questioned why social media influencers have been granted red carpet access in previous years while a longtime country music star like Kershaw was turned away.
“They’ll let zero talent influencers walk the red carpet but not Sammy Kershaw? I hate it here,” Patrick wrote.
James shared a similar sentiment, writing, “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.”
Drew Baldridge Offers to Give Up His Red Carpet Spot
Drew Baldridge took to Instagram Stories to share his frustration, writing, “I’ll give my spot up for you, Sammy Kershaw…If you don’t deserve to be there then I definitely don’t.”
In Kershaw’s original post, expressed gratitude for his fans and the opportunity to continue doing what he loves while reflecting on his decades-long career and history with the organization.
“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.”
He ended his post by expressing just how deeply the decision affected him, saying he never imagined an artist with his decades of experience in country music would be denied the chance to walk the red carpet.
“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.”