Rodney Atkins to skip 2026 CMA Awards after red carpet denial
The veteran singer joins Sammy Kershaw in publicly protesting access issues with the Country Music Association.
By Chinedu Schneider ·
Rodney Atkins will not attend the 2026 CMA Awards on December 12. The decision follows a public dispute over red carpet access that has drawn attention from other established figures in the genre.
Atkins announced the news on Saturday. He stated that he and his wife, country artist Rose Falcon, were denied clearance for the event. This marks the second prominent musician to report similar access issues in recent days. Sammy Kershaw first raised the concern on Thursday.
Atkins cited his long-standing relationship with the organization in a social media post. He noted that he has been a member of the Country Music Association for more than 20 years. He also mentioned performing at CMA Fests for free during that time.
In a video message to fans, Atkins explained the sequence of events. He said he felt sympathy for Kershaw when the initial reports emerged. He later learned that his own access had also been blocked for this year's ceremony. Atkins is known for hits such as "Honestly (Write Me a List)" and "Watching You."
Kershaw's initial post on Thursday generated widespread support from fans and other musicians. The Country Music Association has not issued a public response to the comments from either Atkins or Kershaw.
