Another country star says he was denied CMA Awards red carpet access

NASHVILLE (KALB/Gray News) - Days after Sammy Kershaw made waves across the country music world, a fellow alum of the 90s and 2000s country scene announced Saturday that he, too, was snubbed by the Country Music Association after requesting red carpet access to the upcoming 2026 CMA Awards.

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,” expressed his frustration with CMA on social media, writing:

“After more than 20 years as a CMA member and countless CMA Fests I’ve played for free, Rose and I were denied red-carpet clearance just like Sammy Kershaw. So we’ve decided not to attend this year’s CMA Awards.”

Atkins also posted a video message to fans, explaining that he felt sympathetic toward Kershaw after news began to spread, only to find out later that he and his wife, fellow country artist Rose Falcon, had also been denied access to this year’s awards.

Nineties hitmaker Kershaw says he was delisted from the red carpet in a post to social media Thursday, which drew an outpouring of support from fans and fellow musicians.

The Country Music Association has not yet publicly responded to either Kershaw’s or Atkins’ comments.