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Garth Brooks withdraws from CMA top prize because of tweet
Garth Brooks has removed himself from the running for Entertainer of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards this year and it’s all because of a tweet. The country music superstar announced via a virtual press conference Wednesday that a tweet made him come to the magnanimous decision. “There’s one tweet in there that …
Garth Brooks has removed himself from the running for Entertainer of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards this year and it’s all because of a tweet.
The country music superstar announced via a virtual press conference Wednesday that a tweet made him come to the magnanimous decision.
“There’s one tweet in there that really stuck in my head,” Brooks explained, according to the Tennessean. ”It said, ‘Hey, man. This guy, why doesn’t he just step down (and leave) the entertainer for the next generation?’ 100% agree.”
He continued, “With all the love in the world, we are officially pulling ourselves out of Entertainer of the Year.”
So the “Friends in Low Places” warbler, who has picked up the prestigious honor seven times — more than any other performer — is out of the running indefinitely. Brooks, 58, first won the CMA honor in 1991 and most recently in 2019.
Brooks would like to begin an “Entertainer of the Year Emeritus” award and even proposed the idea to the CMA, but noted that the association “can’t just create a title and give it to somebody because they want to treat everybody fairly.”
His decision clears the way for Carrie Underwood or Eric Church to possibly become first-time recipients of the award.
The ceremony is slated to air in September.
