The CMA has finally spoken — and Sammy Kershaw still isn’t going.

Days after country legend Sammy Kershaw revealed that the Country Music Association denied his request to walk the red carpet at the 60th CMA Awards, the organization has issued its first public response. And while the CMA says it is sorry anyone felt excluded, the damage, for Kershaw at least, appears to be done.

On Nov. 5, Kershaw, 68, took to Instagram to share the news himself, writing that the denial was “extremely hurtful, embarrassing and very disappointing.” He had even adjusted his touring schedule to be there with his wife, Mendy.

“I guess the next time I attend the CMAs it will be in tribute after I’m gone, if I’m lucky,” Kershaw wrote.

Then came the second shoe. On Nov. 8, fellow country star Rodney Atkins revealed that he, too, had been denied red carpet access — and decided not to attend the show at all. Read our original report on Kershaw and Atkins here.

What the CMA said on Monday

On Monday, Nov. 9, the CMA posted a statement on Instagram addressing the controversy. The organization said the red carpet “has criteria that exists to help manage limited space and the security needs for both the artists and the media.”

“We are deeply sorry anyone felt excluded by those decisions,” the CMA added, saying it is in touch with Kershaw’s team and looks forward to continuing the conversation.

For many fans, the apology only raised more questions. If the red carpet is about celebrating country music, how do two of its most recognizable voices end up on the outside looking in?

Tickets — at $800 a pop — were the only option

According to Kershaw’s manager, who spoke to People, the denial came down to an overwhelming number of artist requests and updated criteria Kershaw didn’t meet. The alternative? Buy tickets — at roughly $800 or more apiece — with no guarantee he and Mendy would even be seated with the other artists.

As of now, Kershaw is not planning to attend.

Country music rallies around Kershaw

Kershaw hasn’t been left to fight this one alone. Country stars including Riley Green, Carly Pearce and John Rich have rallied around him, and fans have flooded social media in his defense.

Even Nashville is stepping in. Robert’s Western World, the legendary honky-tonk on Broadway, has invited Kershaw to its own alternative red carpet gala on Nov. 18 — the same night as the awards.

The 60th CMA Awards take place Nov. 18 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, hosted by Lainey Wilson, airing on ABC and Disney+.

Whether the CMA’s statement is enough to mend fences remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: this year’s red carpet story isn’t about who walked it — it’s about who wasn’t allowed to.

Sources: People, Just Jared, The Tennessean

Featured image: Sammy Kershaw in 2018 (Republic Country Club / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0).