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One day\u00a0after\u00a0Sammy Kershaw<\/a>\u00a0said that he’d been\u00a0denied access<\/a> to\u00a0the\u00a02026 CMA Awards red carpet,\u00a0Rodney Atkins<\/a>\u00a0revealed that he, too, did not make the cut to walk the carpet.<\/p>\n Read More<\/em>: Sammy Kershaw “Hurt” After Being Denied Red Carpet Access at the 2026 CMA Awards<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n As a result,\u00a0Atkins says that he and his wife \u2014 singer-songwriter Rose Falcon \u2014 have decided not to attend\u00a0the CMAs this year..<\/p>\n “When I heard about Sammy, man, I thought, ‘What a shame. He’s a great guy. Sweetheart of a dude. Singing dude, spent his life representing country music,'” Atkins said in a video shared to his social media on Saturday (Nov. 7.)<\/p>\n “Then I found out, the same thing happened to me,” he revealed.<\/p>\n Atkins acknowledged that he’s always been a bit of an “outsider” in the genre \u2014 “maybe a shrub in the landscape of country music,” he joked \u2014 but pointed out that he’s a longstanding CMA member with a significant history of attending the awards show and performing at CMA Fest.<\/p>\n “I also believe the artists who helped build the foundation of country music, like Sammy Kershaw, deserve a place in its celebrations,” Atkins added.<\/p>\n “Country music should never get above its raisin’.”<\/p>\n Rodney Atkins has\u00a0been nominated for CMA Awards twice, in 2007 and 2008.<\/p>\n Especially surprising about Atkins’ news is that, according to him, he’s been having one of the best touring years of his career \u2014 but that success isn’t translating to a spot on the red carpet for Country Music’s Biggest Night.<\/p>\n “I’ve got a new single called ‘The Years Are Short’ making its way onto the charts, which could give me charting songs in three different decades,” the singer added.<\/p>\n “And\u00a0Country Aircheck<\/em> just released the 100 most-played songs of the last 20 years,” Atkins continued. “Thanks to you, I had three songs in the Top 50, ‘Watching You’ being at No. 11.”<\/p>\n Read More<\/em>: Do Country Artists Owe It To Us to Attend Awards Shows?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The singer said that he’ll never take the success he’s had for granted, and especially highlighted the fans who’ve made his career possible.<\/p>\n “You’ve always made me feel welcome in country music,” Atkins said, “and that’s what matters most.”<\/p>\n Lainey Wilson<\/a> will host this year’s CMA Awards, and top-nominated artists<\/a> include Ella Langley<\/a>, Miranda Lambert<\/a>, Kacey Musgraves<\/a>, Luke Combs<\/a> and more. A tribute to Dolly Parton<\/a>, who died in August, is being planned.<\/p>\n Read More<\/em>: 2026 CMA Awards Performers Announced<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Performances from Langley, Lambert, Cody Johnson<\/a>, Tim McGraw<\/a>, Zach Top<\/a> and more stars have been announced, and more are expected to follow.<\/p>\n This year also marks the 60th CMA Awards ceremony, and the CMA’s CEO Sarah Trahern told\u00a0Billboard<\/a><\/em> last month that this year’s event will honor the show’s history. Trahern teased plans to honor ’90s country as a way to celebrate modern country music history.<\/p>\n Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRodney Atkins Says He Wasn’t Invited to Walk the 2026 CMA Awards Red Carpet<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Rodney Atkins Says He Was Denied CMA Red Carpet Access During “The Best Touring Year of My Career”<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Who’s Being Honored at the 2026 CMA Awards?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2026 CMA Awards Nominations – Snubs + Surprises Reveal a Dangerous Trend<\/h2>\n