6 Country Singers Who Didn’t Attend The CMA Awards
on Nov 20, 2025
The 59th CMA Awards Were Held On November 19
On Wednesday, November 19, country music’s biggest stars flocked to Music City for one of the biggest award shows of the year. The Country Music Association Awards were hosted by Lainey Wilson, making her the third woman in history to host the award show.
The night was filled with incredible performances from Patty Loveless, Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Zach Top, and more.
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Not only were there countless memorable performances that people will be talking about for years on end, ten awards were handed out during the live broadcast, with three being given out before the show even started: Musical Event of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Musician of the Year.
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Despite the epic performances and surprise wins, there were several notable singers who skipped out on the CMA Awards. See the list below.
Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen was up for some of the biggest awards of the night, including Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year for his record-breaking release I’m The Problem, and Male Vocalist of the Year.
While he was up for multiple awards, he did not attend Wallen recently made a surprise appearance at the Ryman Auditorium to perform “Cover Me Up” with Ella Langley.
The pair have been touring together on and off for two years, and Langley told the crowd she’d been bugging him the entire time to perform this particular song together.
“It takes a lot more than an awards show to get me out to Broadway these days, I’ll tell you that.”
Blake Shelton
Shelton was nominated for, and won, Musical Event of the Year this year for his duet “Pour Me A Drink” with Post Malone.
His song “Texas” was also up for Song of the Year, so some fans expected him to be in attendance.
However, a source close to Shelton told E!News that he and Stefani would be watching the broadcast from home.
Gary LeVox
Award-winning trio Rascal Flatts was up for Vocal Group of the Year, but only two of out of the three members attended the show.
Lead singer Gary LeVox took to social media to explain his absence.
“Hey guys,” he wrote. “I wish I could be there at the CMA’s tonight, but I have a family matter that needs my attention. I’m so grateful for the Rascal Flatts nomination and I know that everybody’s gonna have an amazing time and I will see you guys soon. God Bless.”
Luke Bryan
The “Country Song Came On” singer wasn’t up for any awards, but he was the host in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Last year, he hosted the show alongside Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson.
At one point in this year’s show, Wilson – who was hosting solo – revealed she got texts from both her former co-hosts. Payton wished her well, while Luke wrote, “Lainey what time is the show?”
Jelly Roll
In recent years, Jelly Roll has been a fixture at the CMA Awards. In 2023, he took home New Artist of the Year and this year, he was nominated for Musical Event of the Year for his duet “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Christian artist Brandon Lake.
Lake attended the show, even though their category was handed out on Good Morning America earlier on Wednesday morning.
Jelly Roll had been Australia touring and has recently opened up about how isolating it was. We think he was just at home enjoying the show from his living room as he rested for more upcoming performances.
Post Malone
Post Malone was up for two awards at the 2025 CMA Awards. Even though he lost Album of the Year to Lainey Wilson, he took home Musical Event of the Year.
Who else skipped the show this year? Let us know in the comments!
