Why Alan Jackson left the 2016 CMA Awards
Alan Jackson’s 2016 CMA Awards Walkout
Alan Jackson, set to receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, is returning to the CMA Awards. Event planners hope for a smooth appearance, recalling the incident in 2016 when he left during a performance.
Jackson left the ceremony when Beyoncé and the Dixie Chicks performed for the CMA Awards’ 50th anniversary. Alan had previously expressed his displeasure with pop stars at country music events. “Yeah, they may play some real country music,” he remarked when asked about the anniversary gala. He acknowledged the network’s effort to boost ratings but lamented the inclusion of non-country artists.
During the performance, Jackson “stood up from the front row and walked out in the middle of the performance,” reported Billboard.
This year’s event might not fully align with Jackson’s preferences either, as Hollywood actress Jessica Chastain and LA Dodgers star Mookie Betts are set to present an award. However, the ceremony will feature country stars like Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton, and Luke Combs.
