Luke Bryan Says “Nobody’s Mad” About Beyoncé’s CMA Snub, but Invites Her to Join the Country Music Family
Luke Bryan, one of country music’s biggest stars and co-host of the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, recently addressed the controversy surrounding Beyoncé’s lack of nominations for her album Cowboy Carter at this year’s awards. Despite the album’s success on the charts, including hitting No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, Cowboy Carter was entirely overlooked by the CMA voters, leaving many fans disappointed.
In a candid interview on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, Bryan explained that while some Beyoncé fans might be upset, the snub is not unusual in the competitive world of music awards. “A lot of great music gets overlooked,” Bryan said, acknowledging that the superstar’s country album was well-received by many, but awards often don’t reflect all fan expectations.
Bryan made it clear that the country music community is not upset about Beyoncé’s foray into their genre. In fact, he reiterated that people were thrilled by her effort to make a country album. “Everybody loved that Beyoncé made a country album. Nobody’s mad about it,” Bryan said, referring to Cowboy Carter and the excitement it stirred among both fans and industry insiders. However, Bryan pointed out that success in country music isn’t just about making the music—it’s also about becoming part of the community and showing up at events like the CMAs to “be country with us.”
His comments were partly directed at the larger conversation about inclusion within country music, a genre that has traditionally been slow to embrace diversity, especially from outside artists. Bryan implied that Beyoncé’s absence from the awards circuit might have contributed to her lack of nominations, suggesting that participation in the genre’s cultural moments—like attending awards shows and joining the celebrations—can play an important role in being fully embraced by the community. “Come to an award show and high-five us, and have fun and get in the family too,” Bryan added.
This wasn’t the first time Beyoncé has faced challenges in breaking into the country music scene. Back in 2016, her performance of “Daddy Lessons” at the CMAs, alongside The Chicks, sparked a mix of praise and backlash. Many country fans were excited by the collaboration, while others were critical, reflecting the divided opinions about cross-genre projects.
Despite the current snub, Cowboy Carter remains a historic achievement, becoming the first album by a Black woman to top the Billboard country charts. Though her music has faced resistance from some country radio stations—claiming it wasn’t “country enough”—the album’s popularity underscores the shifting boundaries of the genre.
In the end, Luke Bryan expressed optimism about artists like Beyoncé crossing into the country genre. He extended an open invitation to her, emphasizing that she is always welcome at country music’s biggest night. His message was clear: while recognition from awards may be elusive, the country music world is still eager to embrace artists who make genuine efforts to engage with the community.
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