Backlash over 2020 CMA Awards

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) – There is backlash over Wednesday night's CMA awards for overlooking some of the country's lost greats during its awards ceremony.

Jason Isbell is protesting the Country Music Association.

Due to @CountryMusic’s failure to mention John Prine, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Billy Joe Shaver at the CMA’s last night, @amandashires and I have decided to return our membership cards. I doubt anybody will care, but we cared a lot about our heroes. pic.twitter.com/UmplzD0Z7p

— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) November 13, 2020

Isbell, along with his singer-songwriter wife, Amanda Shires, is returning their lifetime membership cards.

Prine, Walker, and Shaver were heavyweights in their field. While the three may not household names, but the foundation and inspiration for so many since the 1970s.

Prine, the revered, multiple Grammy-winning Americana singer, and songwriter, died in April after a battle with coronavirus.

Country Music Association released a statement on Friday. 

The CMA Awards broadcast historically does not include an In Memoriam segment. An In Memoriam did air in 2017 to honor the victims of the tragic shooting at Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas. In order to recognize those we have lost each year, the CMA does include an In Memoriam tribute on our website and in our annual CMA Awards Program Guide, which was mailed to CMA members ahead of this year's broadcast. To note, this year's In Memoriam includes those lives lost prior to the program guide’s printing deadline of October 14, 2020.