NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Country singer Morgan Wallen can win multiple awards at this year’s CMA Awards, but not the show’s grand prize, a sign of the lasting impact after being caught on camera with a racist bow.
The Board of Directors of the Country Music Association agreed that Wallen is not eligible for individual artist categories such as Entertainer of the Year and Singer of the Year, according to Catharine McNelly, a CMA spokeswoman.
The board decided that Wallen can continue to be nominated for awards recognizing an artistic work such as album of the year, song of the year, single of the year, music event, and music video, “in order to limit the opportunities for other non-credited employees. “
The voting plan was published on Friday. On July 6, the first nomination vote went to CMA voters.
Wallen was already one of the biggest stars in the genre, with crossover hits like “Whiskey Glasses” when the video was released on TMZ in February. Wallen apologized for using the bow and radio stations, and streaming services removed him from playlists, but his The album sales increased.
His “Dangerous: The Double Album” spent 10 consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 charts of all genres and 12 weeks as a top country album. He’s just one of four country artists to have an album playing # 1 for 10 weeks among singers like Garth Brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus and Taylor Swift.
Wallen, named Best New Artist at the CMA Awards in November, is likely a nominee for “Album of the Year” based on album sales alone. The album has been in the top 5 Billboard albums for 18 consecutive weeks and far outperforms any other country album release. Other country albums falling within the nomination period include records by Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett, Eric Church and Miranda Lambert with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall.
Although his singles haven’t been heavily played or advertised on the radio since February, he still had hits within the nomination period that would also call him into question.
The awards ceremonies were mixed in how they respond to Wallen’s actions and professional successes.
Wallen is among the top nominees at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards, where he has six nominations including top song sales artist, top country artist, and top country album. Despite the nominations, he was not invited to participate or perform.
Other award ceremonies such as the Academy of Country Music Awards and the CMT Music Awards completely disqualified him.
Morgan Wallen fans have vocal support and set up billboards in Nashville and Los Angeles with his mullet.
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