Sammy Kershaw accepts CMA apology after country stars speak out over red carpet access

Sammy Kershaw and Rodney Atkins spoke out about being denied permission to walk the red carpet at this year’s Country Music Association Awards, prompting criticism over how the organization treats veteran country artists.Last week, Kershaw, 68, shared a statement on Instagram in which he revealed that the organization rejected his request to walk the carpet at the upcoming ceremony with his wife, Mendy, a decision that he called "extremely hurtful, embarrassing and very disappointing."Following Kershaw's post, Atkins, 57, announced that he and his wife, Rose Falcon, were also denied red carpet access and would no longer be attending the ceremony, which will be held on Nov.18 and marks the CMAs' milestone 60th anniversary.COUNTRY STAR CODY JOHNSON SAYS NASHVILLE WANTED TO CHANGE HIM BEFORE SUCCESSCountry musician Sammy Kershaw spoke out after being denied access to the 2026 CMAs red carpet.

(Getty Images)After facing backlash from other country musicians and fans, the CMA issued a response in which the organization explained that its red carpet criteria helps manage limited space and security needs and apologized to those who "felt excluded by those decisions." The CMA also added that it was speaking with Kershaw's team.On Tuesday, Kershaw shared a post in which he said that he had accepted an apology from the CMA as well as an invitation for himself and Mendy to walk the red carpet and attend the ceremony.The controversy sparked an uproar among country artists, who argued that the CMA has welcomed influencers, actors and crossover celebrities onto the red carpet while sidelining veteran performers.In addition, other country musicians raised broader concerns about how the industry as a whole recognizes artists who helped shape the genre.In his initial post on Nov.

5, Kershaw wrote that the denial of his request to walk the CMAs carpet "really hurts me." He explained that he learned of the rejection just two weeks ahead of the awards show after he and Mendy had al...