Rodney Atkins and Rose Falcon drop out of CMA Awards after red carpet denial
The duo joins Sammy Kershaw in rejecting the ceremony, citing more than two decades of unpaid service to the organization.
By Meera Fletcher ·
Nashville, Tenn., has seen a surge of dissatisfaction among veteran artists this week as Rodney Atkins and his wife, Rose Falcon, announced they will skip the upcoming 2026 CMA Awards. The decision follows the discovery that the couple, like country legend Sammy Kershaw, was denied entry to the red carpet despite long-standing membership in the organization.
Atkins, whose catalog includes hits like Honestly (Write Me a List) and If You’re Going Through Hell, took to social media on Saturday to detail the situation. He stated that after more than 20 years as a CMA member and numerous unpaid performances at CMA Fest, he and Falcon were snubbed from the event. The news arrived shortly after Kershaw revealed his own exclusion on Thursday, prompting a wave of support from fans and peers.
In a video message to his audience, Atkins described the emotional weight of the rejection. He explained that he initially felt for Kershaw when the story broke, only to realize his own family had faced the same barrier. The pair decided against attending the ceremony in response to the lack of access.
Kershaw’s original post on social media sparked a broad discussion about the relationship between the Country Music Association and the artists who help sustain it. While the CMA has not issued a public statement addressing the concerns raised by either Kershaw or Atkins, the denials have reshaped the narrative surrounding the November awards season.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, with the two couples now confirmed as absentees from the main event.
