Sammy Kershaw accepts CMA apology, red carpet invitation after public backlash

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (KALB) - Louisiana singer Sammy Kershaw said he will walk the red carpet at the 2026 Country Music Association Awards after a private conversation with CMA leadership.

In a November 10 social media message to fans, Kershaw said the CMA invited him and his wife, Mendy, to attend the awards. The announcement followed a dispute over his credential request, which the CMA rejected about two weeks before the ceremony.

Country singer Sammy Kershaw(Alex Brandon | AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Kershaw said he had been in talks with CMA leadership for several days. He said he was disappointed by how long the organization took to respond publicly and felt its statement did not address the heart of the issue.

He said a subsequent private conversation led to an apology, which he accepted.

“They have acknowledged how this situation was handled and extended a sincere, heartfelt apology, which I have personally accepted,” Kershaw said.

Kershaw said he initially spoke out because he was hurt, not because he wanted to start a controversy. He said the response showed him the issue was about more than his red carpet access.

“This was never about the red carpet,” he said. “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 said he hoped the conversations with the CMA would lead to greater recognition for artists who helped build the genre. He also thanked fans and fellow artists who supported him.

“Every generation of artists deserves its moment to shine, and I believe there’s room to celebrate all of them,” he said.

Here’s the full statement from Kershaw:

“First, I want to sincerely say THANK YOU to the thousands of fans, fellow artists, friends, and people throughout the country music community who have spoken up over the past several days. I am truly humbled beyond words. The outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming, and touched my heart in ways I will never forget.
When I first shared my disappointment about being denied the opportunity to walk the red carpet at this year’s CMA Awards, I wasn’t trying to start a controversy or looking for attention. I simply spoke from my heart because I was hurt. I never imagined the response would reach so many people across America and around the world.
But, something happened that I never expected. As this story continued to unfold, it became clear from many thousands of people that this wasn’t just about me. It was for those who came before me, the men and women who gave us their hearts, their voices, their lives to country music. The ones who rode those highways long before there were tour buses. The ones who played the honky-tonks and sacrificed time away from their families. This is about something much bigger than me or any one artist. Those artists didn’t just give country music its sound. They gave it its soul.
This was never about the red carpet. 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.
Over the past several days, we have been in talks with CMA leadership in hopes of finding a positive resolution.
While I was disappointed with the time it took for the CMA to publicly respond, and felt their statement fell short of addressing the heart of the issue, I also believe in giving people the opportunity to make things right.
I’m pleased to share that we’ve since had a sincere and meaningful private conversation with CMA leadership. They have acknowledged how this situation was handled and extended a sincere, heartfelt apology, which I have personally accepted.
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. I am grateful for that invitation and appreciate their willingness to listen, acknowledge our concerns, and work toward a positive outcome.
But, perhaps the most important thing to come from all of this is the conversation we’ve started about the importance of recognizing the generations of artists who helped make country music what it is today, whether their name is still in the headlines or their songs are simply living on in the hearts of the people who grew up listening to them.
You cannot celebrate 60 years of country music without celebrating the artists who helped build those 60 years.
Country music has always been about honoring where we’ve come from while embracing where we’re going. 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.
My sincere hope is that the conversations we’ve begun with the CMA will lead to lasting change and an even greater appreciation and recognition of our industry’s legacy artists for many years to come.
Because the spotlight may move on, the charts may change, and the years may pass. But the people who built country music should never be forgotten.
To every fan who stood up and made their voices heard, every artist who spoke up, and supported not only me but the many artists who have dedicated their lives to this music, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You were heard, and you reminded me that country music is still more than an industry. It’s a family.
God bless you all."
Sammy Kershaw

Kershaw rose to national fame in the early 1990s, charting dozens of top country hits, including classics such as his No. 1 “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful,” and top 10s like “Cadillac Style,” “Third Rate Romance” and “Queen of My Double Wide Trailer.”

After making his initial announcement about the CMA rejection, many fellow musicians came out in support of Kershaw.

Other musicians began to speak about being rejected as well, such as Rodney Atkins, known for country hits like “Honestly (Write Me a List),” “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)” and “Watching You.”

On November 9, CMA issued a response to the social media backlash, which you can read below:

“In recent days, several artists and their fans have spoken out about this year’s CMA Awards red carpet guidelines. 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. 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. To that point, we are in touch with Sammy Kershaw’s team and look forward to continuing that conversation."
CMA

This response was met with criticism from Tim Rushlow, the former lead singer of the hit 90s band Little Texas, who called the response “as lame as it looks and sounds.”

The 60th Annual CMA Awards is set to air Wednesday, November 18, with Louisiana-native Lainey Wilson returning as host. Another Louisiana native, Tim McGraw, who has remained on the charts since he rose to fame in the 90s, is among the show’s listed performers.