Mark Chesnutt Voices Support for Sammy Kershaw
Mark Chesnutt has publicly defended fellow ’90s country music star Sammy Kershaw, following Kershaw’s revelation that the Country Music Association (CMA) rejected his request to walk the red carpet at the forthcoming 60th Annual CMA Awards.
Criticism of CMA’s Treatment of Veteran Artists
In a heartfelt statement on Facebook, Chesnutt expressed his disappointment with the CMA, highlighting the organization’s lack of regard for veteran country artists like himself and Kershaw, who rose to fame in the 1990s. He stated, “Sammy Kershaw won’t be allowed to walk the red carpet at the big CMA Awards. Well that’s about right. The CMA doesn’t care about us old 90s guys anymore. It’s unfortunate that they don’t appreciate the stars who ruled the charts over the past three decades, yet they readily welcome pop, Hollywood, and hip-hop artists onto their platform.”
Comparing Genres
Chesnutt drew a comparison between the country music industry and rock ‘n’ roll, asserting that the latter honors its legacy and its iconic figures. He emphasized that country music should also recognize the contributions of those who helped shape the genre. “Rock ‘n’ roll values its history and the legends who paved the way, while country music executives seem to overlook its rich past and those who built it,” he remarked. He expressed gratitude for the loyal fans who continue to support traditional country music, stating, “They keep coming to our shows and showing their love and respect for the music we’ve made for nearly forty years now, and we will keep working for them—not for those who don’t care about us!”
Support from Fellow Artists
Chesnutt’s support for Kershaw resonated with other country artists. Notable figures like Riley Green, Carly Pearce, Drew Baldridge, and Meghan Patrick voiced their solidarity on Kershaw’s Instagram post. Green expressed his disappointment, saying, “If you haven’t earned the right to be there then nobody has… disappointing to say the least,” while Pearce acknowledged the impact Kershaw has had on many artists, stating, “Many of us wouldn’t be here without artists like you.”
Sammy Kershaw’s Career and Reaction
Sammy Kershaw, who launched his career in 1991 with the album “Don’t Go Near the Water,” has enjoyed significant success, producing hits like “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful” and “National Working Woman’s Holiday.” He is a GRAMMY-nominated artist with multiple Gold and Platinum albums to his name. Kershaw expressed his sadness over the CMA’s decision, stressing that after over fifty years in the industry and numerous accolades, he believed he deserved the chance to walk the red carpet with his wife.
As of now, the CMA has not publicly addressed Kershaw’s claims regarding his exclusion from the awards event.
Source: countrynow.com