Riley Green, Carly Pearce, Jake Owen, & More Rally Behind Sammy Kershaw After CMA Red Carpet Controversy
“If you haven’t earned the right to be there then nobody has…”
Sammy Kershaw, Riley Green, Carly Pearce; Photos Provided
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.”
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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