Kershaw’s argument is that he deserves the spot. He cites his million of records sold, dozens of hits, a CMA Horizon Award and CMA membership, “… 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.”<\/p>\n
Related<\/strong><\/em>: 13 Criminally Underrated Country Artists<\/a><\/p>\n Photos from Getty Images show Kershaw and wife\u00a0Mendy last walking in 2016, although it’s possible he has walked since but was not photographed.<\/p>\n Being denied is “extremely hurtful, embarrassing and very disappointing. I guess the next time I attend the CMAs it will be in tribute after I’m gone, if I’m lucky,” he adds in closing<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Country Music Association has never publicly shared what qualifies a person to walk the red carpet. Each year, a diverse group of entertainers strut before photographers and media on their way to their seats. Some talk to various outlets about the show or upcoming projects.<\/p>\n Kershaw does not appear to be promoting anything new at the moment.<\/p>\n Sammy Kershaw’s career includes one No. 1 hit among 11 that reached Top 10. He’s credited with nearly 50 singles to country radio, the bulk of which dropped between 1991 and 1999.<\/p>\n Sonically, he allows his Louisiana roots to show but rarely strays too far from the mainstream target. “Maybe Not Tonight” with then-wife Lorrie Morgan was Kershaw’s final Top 20 single. Here are five more that country music fans may recognize.<\/p>\n “Queen of My Double Wide Trailer” (1993)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n This mid-tempo hit finds the singer working hard to get his girl back from “Earl.” A humorous music video accompanied the song but later it’d gain familiarity for another reason.<\/p>\n Songwriter Dennis Linde would double-down on “Earl” for the Dixie Chicks hit “Goodbye Earl.”<\/p>\n “Cadillac Style” (1991)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Sammy Kershaw first found success with “Cadillac Style,” a twangy country song about a man with no money, very few nice things but a lot of swagger.<\/p>\n “Third Rate Romance” (1994)<\/strong><\/p>\n If someone wanted to make a case that “Third Rate Romance” is Sammy Kershaw’s best song, we’d listen. The easy-going country romancer is about a one-night stand for all the wrong reasons.<\/p>\n “He said, I’ll even tell you I love you if you want me to,”<\/em> is a signature line of this sing-along.<\/p>\n “National Working Woman’s Holiday” (1994)<\/strong><\/p>\n Three Sammy Kershaw songs stopped at No. 2 on the Billboard<\/em> charts. “National Working Woman’s Holiday” is one of them.<\/p>\n This song is a time capsule in every possible way. It just sounds like what ’90s country music should sound like.<\/p>\n “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful” (1992)<\/strong><\/p>\n “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful” is a great, 90s country love song that still gets radio airplay in 2026. The sound and sentiment are timeless. It’s without a doubt Kershaw’s most popular song and his only No. 1.<\/p>\n Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/townsquare.media\/site\/204\/files\/2026\/11\/attachment-kershaw-wife-picture.jpg?w=980&q=75\")
<\/div>Sammy Kershaw’s Best Songs<\/h3>\n
14 Country Stars Who Deserve More Respect<\/h2>\n