What The Heck Is Going On Between The CMAs And Sammy Kershaw

After Sammy Kershaw shared his CMA Awards red carpet request was denied, country music stars have rallied around in support.

Sammy Kershaw is a country music legend, prolific in the 90s but still touring and picking up nearly 2 million monthly listeners across streaming platforms.

On November 5th, 2026, Kershaw posted his statement, sharing his disappointment and embarrassment in the rejection. Here’s everything we know that’s happened since then.

Rodney Atkins, a country star from the early 2000s, who is still releasing music and touring today, was also denied a place on the red carpet.

“After more than 20 years as a CMA member and countless CMA Fests I’ve played for free,” Atkins told his social media followers, “Rose and I were denied red-carpet clearance just like Sammy Kershaw. So we’ve decided not to attend this year’s CMA Awards.”

Other artists like Riley Green, Drew Baldridge, Carly Pearce and Jake Owen publicly posted their dismay in the organisation and their support of Kershaw.

“If you haven’t earned the right to be there then nobody has,” Green said, echoed by Baldridge's “if you don’t deserve to be there, then I definitely don’t,” while Pearce said, “Many of us wouldn’t be here without artists like you”.

Kershaw’s manager gave a statement to Country Rebel which detailed Kershaw’s current plans surrounding the evening.

“Sammy was denied red carpet access because they received an overwhelming number of artist requests for the red carpet and awards show,” he said. “He didn’t meet their updated criteria, BUT he could purchase tickets for the CMA Awards. However, they couldn’t guarantee that he and his wife would be seated with the other artists if he purchased the tickets, which are roughly $800+ a piece. As of right now, Sammy is now not planning to attend.”

In light of the red carpet snub, iconic Nashville Broadway bar Robert’s Western World reached out to Kershaw via social media, extending an invite to their own alternative Red Carpet gala on November 18th for Kershaw and anyone else who he thinks should be there.

“Hey @sammykershaw we saw your post and wanted to send you some of our custom @robertswesternworld merch.. We have been saying we feel the people in charge of “Country Music” sold their souls a long time ago…”

“Wednesday evening 11/18/2026, we would like to host a red carpet gala right here at RWW, for you, your bride and any other guests you would like. At Robert’s we will properly celebrate REAL Country music the night of the CMA’s..”

“We would like to celebrate you, your accomplishments , and the road you helped pave for so many newer artists.. Also we would like to extend the invitation for any other artists you feel need to be on the Red Carpet but weren’t invited or approved to walk it! Just message us here and we will get it taken care of! Thank you for speaking out!”

Bobby Bones posted an excellent take on the matter, stating that the CMA needs to fix the mess or else this year’s Awards celebration focus will be on this and not on Dolly and in the year of her death, the Annual CMA Awards should be all about Dolly Parton.

Stella Parton, Dolly’s younger sister, spoke about her feelings on the red carpet rejection and stated that “Sometimes you have to realize you’ve had your turn in the spotlight and accept it’s not personal it’s only business”. She also said, “as newer artists appear on the scene, older artists are relegated to the back of the line. It’s about selling tickets and insuring views and ratings for the award show and the sponsors.”

An apology. Of sorts. Four days later.

On Monday November 9th, the CMA team posted their statement on social media saying that “their organization’s mission is to honour the history and celebrate the excellence of country music” and were “deeply sorry” to anyone who “felt excluded” by their decisions.

The comments section was rife with fans still very much unhappy with the sentiment. Fellow artists like Jake Owen took to their own social media to express their exacerbation.

“This is a lot of words saying nothing,” Owen shared. “How about, sorry Sammy, we messed up…our words don’t match our actions. Instead, you waited 4 days to craft this?!”

Whatever happens on November 18th, The CMAs will be under huge scrutiny over who walks that red carpet and if they're deemed 'worthy of it' or not. This writer echoes Bobby Bones' statement in that it would be a tragic shame to detract away from what should be a beautiful night to celebrate Dolly and this year's music, rather than if the boots on the carpet are country enough.

That being said, for an organisation that supposedly honours the history of the genre, The CMAs seem to be falling short.

What are your thoughts on it all? Drop a comment below and let us know.

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