The CMA had offered the 90s country star seats at about $800 a ticket, with no promise he'd sit near other artists. After a week of backlash, he and his wife, Mendy, are invited to walk the red carpet.
The CMA Awards red carpet fight is over, about a week before the show airs on ABC.
Sammy Kershaw said late Tuesday, Nov. 10, that he had a "sincere and meaningful private conversation" with CMA leadership, and that he accepted their apology, Saving Country Music reported. The CMA invited Kershaw and his wife, Mendy, to walk the red carpet and attend the Nov. 18 show alongside other artists.
"This was never about the red carpet," Kershaw said in his update to fans, American Songwriter reported. He also told supporters, "You were heard."
He didn't let the CMA totally off the hook. Kershaw said the group's earlier public statement "fell short of addressing the heart of the issue," Saving Country Music reported.
Why was Sammy Kershaw denied the CMA red carpet?
Kershaw went public on Nov. 5. He posted that the CMA had denied his request to walk the red carpet with his wife, and called it "extremely hurtful, embarrassing and very disappointing," Taste of Country reported.
The timing made it sting. This year's show plans a tribute to 90s country, which is Kershaw's decade.
According to his camp, the CMA said it got an "overwhelming number" of artist requests and Kershaw didn't meet its updated criteria. He could still buy tickets, at about $800 each, with no guarantee of seats near other artists, Backyard Drunkard reported, citing a management statement shared by Country Rebel.
Rolling Stone later published the criteria. To walk the carpet, you needed at least one of these, Saving Country Music reported:
A past CMA Entertainer of the Year win
A Top 20 single on a Billboard or Country Aircheck chart in the last three years
A Top 10 album on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart in the last five years
Membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame
A reigning CMA Awards win
Work with CMA Foundation or membership programs
Rodney Atkins said he wasn't invited to the carpet either, Taste of Country reported.
What did the CMA say about Sammy Kershaw?
The CMA stayed quiet for about four days, then posted a statement on Nov. 9. It said the carpet has criteria because space and security are limited.
"We are deeply sorry anyone felt excluded by those decisions," the statement said. The CMA added that it was "in touch with Sammy Kershaw's team," American Songwriter reported.
Fans weren't impressed at first, Taste of Country reported. The private talks that followed are what actually settled it.
Which country stars backed Sammy Kershaw?
Plenty. Riley Green commented on Kershaw's post, "If you haven't earned the right to be there then nobody has," Holler reported. Jake Owen kept it simple: "I'm team Sammy."
Mark Chesnutt and Pam Tillis also spoke up for him, American Songwriter reported.
Who is Sammy Kershaw?
A Louisiana country singer whose career goes back to the late 1960s, when he was still a kid. He had more than two dozen Top 40 hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.
His best-known songs include "Cadillac Style," "She Don't Know She's Beautiful," "Queen of My Double Wide Trailer," "Haunted Heart" and "Third Rate Romance." He was nominated for the CMA's Horizon Award, and the CMA made him a lifetime member in 1992, American Songwriter reported.
When are the 2026 CMA Awards and how can you watch?
The 60th CMA Awards air Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET on ABC, with live streaming on Disney+ and next-day streaming on Hulu. The show comes from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Host: Lainey Wilson, for the third year in a row
Most nominations: Ella Langley, with nine
Entertainer of the year nominees: Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson
Also planned: a tribute to Dolly Parton, who died Aug. 25 at 80
Performers so far: Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top and Tucker Wetmore
There's a Disney tie on the ballot, too. Taylor Swift is up for single of the year with "I Knew It, I Knew You," her song from Toy Story 5.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
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Hat Tips:
Saving Country Music (Nov. 10, 2026), the resolution, the red carpet invite, Kershaw's comments, the criteria list and the ticket details
American Songwriter (Nov. 11, 2026), Kershaw's "never about the red carpet" update
American Songwriter (Nov. 6 and Nov. 9, 2026), Kershaw's original post, career facts and the CMA statement
Taste of Country (Nov. 5 and Nov. 9, 2026), Kershaw's first post, the 90s tribute, Rodney Atkins and fan reaction
Backyard Drunkard (Nov. 6, 2026), the management statement and ticket price
Holler (Nov. 6, 2026), Riley Green's and Jake Owen's comments
Rolling Stone (Nov. 2026), the red carpet criteria, via Saving Country Music
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