Garth Brooks doesn’t want to be Entertainer of the Year anymore. The singer held a press conference yesterday to announce that he’s permanently taken his name out of the running for CMA Entertainer of the Year.
Garth has already won the award seven times, and after last year’s win was shrouded in controversy, because a lot of people thought Carrie Underwood deserved the honor, he decided it was time for him to bow out.
“It’s time for somebody else to hold that award and know what that feels like. That feeling is so great, so wonderful that I want everyone to feel that,” he said. “It’s the coolest nod from the industry that somebody can get. We’ve been lucky enough to carry it home a number of times. It’s somebody else’s turn.”
Garth said he talked to the CMA about creating an “Entertainer of the Year Emeritus” honor, but while they were open to the idea, it never happened, so he decided to do what he could to give someone else a shot.
Speaking of the controversy around last year’s win he noted, “We all witnessed what happened last year, and it made ‘Entertainer of the Year’ not so fun,” adding, “I just want it to be fun for everybody, because that’s what award shows should be.” He added, “with all the love in the world and all the gratefulness because the last thing I want to do is seem ungrateful to the CMAs and everyone who’s voted for us, we’re officially pulling ourselves out of entertainer of the year.”
Interestingly, the CMA says in reality, Garth really can’t take himself out of the running for the award. They say they can’t pull names off the ballot, and if the eligible members vote for Garth he will be on the ballot. The second round of ballots go out tomorrow, and if Garth has made the cut his name will be on it, and it’s up to the voters to choose or not choose Garth, which may have played a part in the timing of his announcement.
Other Garth news from the press conference:
While he’s taken himself out of the running for Entertainer of the Year, he would be more than happy to be nominated in other categories, including recognition for “Dive Bar,” his duet with Blake Shelton.
Garth announced he’s being rescheduling his concert at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium because of the coronavirus. The show, which was supposed to open the venue, was scheduled to take place August 22nd, but has now been moved to February 27th, 2021.
Garth and his team had a COVID-19 scare earlier this month, and it turns out it was his daughter Allie who tested positive. Garth and Trisha Yearwood hadn’t come in contact with Allie, but they did come in contact with her husband, which is why they shut everything down. Luckily, everyone tested negative, and Allie is now feeling okay. “We were back up and running pretty quick,” he said. “She quarantined for another 14 days after her time as well, so she’s feeling great.”
Source: Garth Brooks
