The CMA Awards host encourages Beyoncé to engage with the country music community after her critically acclaimed Cowboy Carter album fails to receive nominations
Beyoncé’s foray into country music with her Cowboy Carter album has sparked conversations across the music world, with some fans and critics alike calling its absence from the CMA Award nominations a snub. Amidst the debate, CMA Awards host Luke Bryan has offered his take, suggesting that the multi-genre icon should immerse herself more in the country music world if she continues making country albums.
In a candid conversation with Andy Cohen on Andy Cohen Live, Bryan addressed the topic, acknowledging the buzz surrounding the album’s lack of recognition. “It’s a tricky question,” Bryan said. “Obviously, Beyoncé made a country album, and she has a lot of fans out there that have her back… If she doesn’t get something they want, man, they come at you, as fans should do.”
The sentiment Bryan expressed hints at the power of Beyoncé’s fan base, the Beyhive, and their devotion to the artist, though it also underscores a more complicated reality in the industry: recognition doesn’t always follow talent or commercial success. Bryan pointed out, “A lot of great music is overlooked,” referring to the broader nature of awards shows where deserving artists often go unrecognized.
Yet, while Bryan praised Cowboy Carter and Beyoncé’s contribution to country music, he hinted that a deeper connection with the country community might yield more acceptance in the future. “If you’re gonna make country albums, come into our world and be country with us a little bit,” Bryan suggested. He emphasized the importance of showing up to events like the CMAs and being part of the tight-knit country family, adding, “Come to an award show and high-five us and have fun and get in the family, too.”
Despite Bryan’s encouragement, the road has not always been smooth for Beyoncé in country music spaces. Reflecting on a previous experience when she performed at a country awards show with The Chicks, Beyoncé recalled feeling unwelcome. “It was very clear that I wasn’t,” she shared, using the moment as motivation to dig deeper into the genre’s rich history and to create Cowboy Carter.
The album, which received widespread acclaim and topped the Billboard Country Albums chart, was supported by country star Carlene Carter, daughter of June Carter, who defended Beyoncé’s artistic choice. “She is an incredibly talented and creative woman who obviously wanted to do this because she likes country music,” Carter stated, calling Beyoncé “one of us Carter women.”
Bryan’s comments may suggest a call for Beyoncé to engage more with country music’s institutional side, but they also touch on the reality that awards shows often involve playing an industry “game.” For an artist like Beyoncé, who has made a career of defying expectations and forging her own path, playing by industry rules may not be a priority. “I did a deeper dive into the history of country music,” Beyoncé said, indicating her focus is more on the art itself than the accolades.
While Cowboy Carter’s omission from the CMAs may be disappointing to fans and industry insiders alike, it’s clear that Beyoncé’s influence on country music is already making waves. Whether or not she heeds Luke Bryan’s call to “get in the family” remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Beyoncé will continue to make an impact, on her own terms.
4o