Sammy Kershaw Says CMA Denied His Red Carpet Request for Nov. 18 Awards

Country star Sammy Kershaw says the Country Music Association denied his request to walk the red carpet at the 60th annual CMA Awards on Nov. 18 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena — a night the show plans to honor ’90s country, the era that made him a chart regular.

Kershaw called the decision “extremely hurtful, embarrassing and very disappointing” in a social media post covered by Taste of Country, Country Rebel and Wide Open Country. His manager told Country Rebel he is not planning to attend.

What Kershaw said

Kershaw wrote that he and his wife, Mendy, had adjusted his touring schedule and booked flights and hotels after months of expecting to go. He said he learned of the denial about two weeks before the show.

“Well, I just found out some disappointing news, and it really hurts me,” he wrote, according to Taste of Country. “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.”

He cited more than 50 years in the business, more than two dozen Billboard-charted hits, millions of records sold and streamed, a 1993 CMA Horizon Award nomination, lifelong CMA membership presented in 1992, and past unpaid appearances at CMA Fest. “I would hope I’ve earned the opportunity to walk the red carpet alongside my wife, as we’ve done before,” Wide Open Country quoted him saying.

He closed by saying the next time he might attend the CMAs would be “in tribute after I’m gone, if I’m lucky.”

What his manager said about the CMA’s reason

In a statement to Country Rebel, Kershaw’s manager said the CMA cited an “overwhelming number of artist requests” for the red carpet and awards show and that Kershaw “didn’t meet their updated criteria.” The manager said he could still buy tickets — “roughly $800+ apiece” — but seating with other artists could not be guaranteed. “As of right now, Sammy is now not planning to attend,” the manager said.

As of the reports published Nov. 5–6, the CMA had not issued a public response quoted in those outlets.

Riley Green and fan reaction

Riley Green commented on Kershaw’s post: “If you haven’t earned the right to be there, then nobody has… disappointing to say the least,” Taste of Country and Country Rebel reported. Fans piled on in support across social platforms, according to those outlets.

The snub lands in a year when CMA CEO Sarah Trahern has previewed a ’90s tribute in set design and performances, Country Rebel reported — heightening the contrast for artists of that decade who feel left off the carpet.

Kershaw’s ’90s résumé

Kershaw broke through with the 1991 debut album Don’t Go Near the Water, which went platinum. Country Rebel noted 25 Top 40 hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, including No. 1 “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful” and Top 10 singles “Cadillac Style,” “Queen of My Double-Wide Trailer,” “Third Rate Romance” and “Love of My Life.” He remains an active touring act.

Whether the CMA revises its red-carpet policy before Nov. 18 is unclear. For now, one of the decade’s signature voices says he will sit this awards night out.

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