Country music living legend Sammy Kershaw has expressed his hurt and disappointment at being disallowed from walking the red carpet this year at the 2026 Country Music Awards, coming up on November 18th in Nashville.

Despite a 50-year career that includes releasing 16 studio albums and enjoying 25 singles in the top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, Kershaw has felt disrespected by the CMAs.

In a post on Facebook on Thursday, 5 November, the Louisiana native called out the awards for not inviting him. In a post that pulled no punches, he called the CMAs out for not paying more respect to older musicians.

“Well, I just found out some disappointing news and it really hurts me. I have to share my disappointment with the CMA as they have denied my request to walk the red carpet for a few minutes at this year’s CMA Awards, and I have to say I’m pretty sad about it,” he wrote.

He explained that he and his wife Mendy don’t often have the time to attend events due to his busy touring schedule.…