# Rodney Atkins Skips 2026 CMA Awards

> Country star Rodney Atkins skips 2026 CMA Awards after being denied red carpet access.
- Title: Rodney Atkins Skips 2026 CMA Awards · American Songwriter
- Summary: Country star Rodney Atkins skips 2026 CMA Awards after being denied red carpet access.
- Keywords: country music, rodney atkins, sammy kershaw, red carpet access, music, American Songwriter
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/another-country-star-opts-to-skip-2026-cma-awards-after-being-denied-red-carpet-access-like-sammy-kershaw
- Author: Paige Gawley
- Published: 2026-11-08T23:10:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: country music, rodney atkins, sammy kershaw, red carpet access, music, culture
## Rodney Atkins Skips 2026 CMA Awards
Country star Rodney Atkins skipped the 2026 CMA Awards after being denied red carpet access, citing his 20+ years as a CMA voting member and the same fate as Sammy Kershaw.
## Atkins Denies Red Carpet Access
Atkins revealed he was denied red carpet clearance for the 2026 CMA Awards, same as Sammy Kershaw, after 20+ years as a CMA voting member.
## Atkins' Career Highlights
Atkins has a new single charting in three decades and three songs in the Top 50, including 'Watching You' at No. 11.
## Atkins' CMA Involvement
Atkins and his wife Rose Falcon have been CMA voting members for over 20 years, playing free at CMA Fests.
## Key takeaway

Rodney Atkins skipped the 2026 CMA Awards after being denied red carpet access, citing his 20+ years as a CMA voting member and the same fate as Sammy Kershaw.