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Country music artists are outraged after the CMA Awards failed to include a tribute to late music legend John Prine this week.
Grammy-winning singer-songwriters Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires have gone so far as to return their lifetime membership cards to the Country Music Association, while other artists have said the music on the show was “fearful”.
Critics’ darling Sturgill Simpson reportedly said of Prine’s diss in a post that was later deleted: “Make no mistake … I wouldn’t be surprised at this sticky glitter and botox show … pony even though my chair had morphine drop. I just wanted to see if they would say his name but no.
Singer Margo Price criticized the show’s lack of diversity and posted: “Anyone who still participates is a socially oblivious pawn… The pander artists have awakened authenticity when it benefits them, then sit in silence as they collect their plastic trophies. Also, the music sucks.
A music business insider told Page Six: “Managers and artists are going crazy… John Prine dies of COVID, without any mention. [Outlaw-country pioneer] Billy Joe Shaver dies, no mention. “
Isbell and Shires, who are married, also said they stepped down due to further retaliation, including from Jerry Jeff Walker. The show honored four mainstream stars who died in 2020: Charlie Daniels, Kenny Rogers, Joe Diffie and Mac Davis.
The source added, “Country music is deaf. Was that another audience disaster and a show beyond reach – a tribute to “Urban Cowboy”? (The Old Dominion country actor celebrated the 40th anniversary of the John Travolta film.)
Revolutionary black artist Charley Pride was honored at 86 with the Lifetime Achievement Award, but our source said: “It was too late.
Prior to his death, Prine received a Lifetime Achievement Honor at the Grammys, as well as a TV Tribute. His family label said he was disappointed not to be included in the CMA Awards.
A CMA spokesperson said in a statement Friday evening: “The CMA Awards broadcast historically does not include an In Memoriam segment. An In Memoriam aired in 2017 to pay tribute to the victims of the tragic shooting at Route 91 Harvest in Las Vegas.
The rep said the awards included an In Memoriam tribute in his membership program guide, but did not mention if it included Prine and the others.
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