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Billy Ray Cyrus on Beyoncé’s CMA Snub: “She Doesn’t Need a Trophy”
Nov
As country music fans prepare for the 58th annual CMA Awards, Billy Ray Cyrus has added his voice to the debate surrounding Beyoncé’s surprising absence from the nominations. The superstar’s groundbreaking country album, Cowboy Carter, was widely acclaimed and achieved historic milestones, but it received no nods from the CMAs.
Cyrus, who won CMA Awards for Achy Breaky Heart in 1992 and his collaboration with Lil Nas X on Old Town Road in 2019, expressed his surprise on Instagram.
Billy Ray Speaks Out
“Congratulations to all CMA nominees!” Cyrus wrote, praising the genre’s increasing inclusivity. However, he added, “I was surprised to see Beyoncé wasn’t nominated???” Calling her album “brilliant” and her single “rule-breaking,” he suggested that Beyoncé doesn’t need validation from awards shows. “She doesn’t need a trophy from the CMA… or permission… or approval from any of their judges,” he wrote, quoting Muhammad Ali: “When ya knock ’em out… Ya don’t need no judge.”
Beyoncé’s Historic Country Moment
Released in March, Cowboy Carter marked a historic achievement as the first album by a Black woman to top Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Its lead single, Texas Hold ’Em, also became the first country song by a Black woman to top the Billboard Hot 100. The album earned 11 Grammy nominations, the second most for any album in history, following Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
Despite its critical and commercial success, the CMA Awards passed on nominating Beyoncé. The omission sparked controversy, especially given that Cowboy Carter was inspired by the chilly reception Beyoncé received after her 2016 CMA Awards performance with The Chicks.
Mixed Reactions from Country Stars
Dolly Parton, who collaborated with Beyoncé on the album and is an honorary member of the BeyHive, downplayed the snub. “There’s so many wonderful country artists that, I guess, the country music field probably thought, ‘Well, we can’t really leave out some of the ones that spend their whole life doing that,’” Parton said in September. Still, she praised the album: “She can be very, very proud of it.”
Kelly Clarkson offered a different perspective, recalling her own struggles breaking into country music. “I was told at a lunch, if I didn’t quit pop music and just go country, I would not be played,” Clarkson said. “I was like, ‘Okay, no offense, but I’m not ever gonna just pick one.’”
CMA host Luke Bryan also weighed in, suggesting that Beyoncé should “be country with us a little bit.” After backlash from the BeyHive, Bryan clarified that his comments were misconstrued.
A Trophyless Trailblazer
Though snubbed by the CMAs, Beyoncé’s impact on country music remains undeniable. Cowboy Carter not only expanded the boundaries of the genre but also solidified her place as a trailblazer unafraid to explore new musical terrain.
As Cyrus pointed out, Beyoncé’s achievements speak louder than awards: “She knows that. She doesn’t need a trophy from the CMA.”
