Morgan Wallen Earns Multiple Billboard Music Awards Nominations, Will Not Be Invited to the Show

Finalists for the Billboard Music Awards were revealed on Thursday (April 29) and Morgan Wallen is included in the mix,…

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Lauren Jo Black

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April 29, 2021

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11:15 am

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Morgan Wallen; Courtesy Big Loud

Finalists for the Billboard Music Awards were revealed on Thursday (April 29) and Morgan Wallen is included in the mix, however, producers say the chart-topping country artist will not be allowed to participate the show. 

Wallen is a finalist in six categories, which are based on chart performance throughout the past year. According to Billboard, dick clark productions, which produces the Billboard Music Awards, released a statement regarding Wallen on Thursday following the final nominee announcement. 

The statement reads: 

“Unique among awards shows, Billboard Music Awards (BBMA) finalists are determined by performance on the Billboard charts, and are not chosen by a voting committee or membership organization. BBMA finalists and winners are based on key fan interactions with music (including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, social engagement), tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data. With our content reaching millions of viewers, dcp and MRC have the privilege and responsibility to effect change by creating a more inclusive dialogue in our productions and across the industry. Morgan Wallen is a finalist this year based on charting. As his recent conduct does not align with our core values, we will not be including him on the show in any capacity (performing, presenting, accepting). It is heartening and encouraging to hear that Morgan is taking steps in his anti-racist journey and starting to do some meaningful work. We plan to evaluate his progress and will consider his participation in future shows.”

Wallen received six nominations, including two nods for Top Country Song for “Chasing You” and “More Than My Hometown,” Top Song Sales Artist, Top Country Male Artist, Top Country Album for Dangerous: The Double Album and Top Country Artist.

This is not the first time Wallen has been excluded from an awards show. The 2021 ACM Awards removed Wallen and deemed him ineligible for the show following his use of a racial slur. 

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.