Luke Bryan breaks silence on Beyonce’s country album and explains CMA Awards snub

Luke Bryan has offered an informed look at why Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album hasn’t resonated with country music critics when it comes to the award show’s accolade.

The country singer-songwriter, 48, was asked to make an appearance on Andy Cohen Live SiriusXM Monday about the superstar musical artist, 43, who did not receive a single nomination from the Country Music Association Awards. (She also went winless last week amid twelve nominations at the People’s Choice Country Awards.)

The Leesburg, Georgia native responded, “It’s a tough question because obviously Beyoncé did a country album and Beyoncé has a lot of fans who support her. And if she doesn’t get what they want, man, they’re coming at you, like fans should do.”

Bryan, who is father to two children with wife Caroline, 44 – sons Bo, 16, and Tate, 14 – admitted that “a lot of great music gets overlooked” during the selection process.

The Knockin’ Boots singer said he’s “all things to everyone who comes in and makes country albums and stuff,” adding that venturing into a new genre doesn’t guarantee critical acclaim.

“Just because she made one… just because I made one, I’m not getting any nominations,” Bryan said.

Bryan suggested that Beyoncé may not have networked enough during her foray into the new genre.

“Everyone thought it was great that Beyoncé made a country album – no one’s mad about it – but when things get a little tough – if you’re going to make country albums, come into our world and be a little country with us,” Bryan said.

He added that Beyoncé is “probably the biggest star in music” and can “do exactly what she wants … but come to an awards show and give us a high five and have fun and also become part of the family.”

“And I’m not saying she hasn’t… but country music has a lot to do with family.”

Beyoncé’s history at the CMAs prior to the nominations controversy earlier this month included a 2016 collaboration with The Chicks on the song Daddy Lessons, which drew a number of racist comments online..

Beyoncé signed in on March 19 an Instagram post that her country album was “born from an experience I had years ago where I didn’t feel welcome… and it was very clear that I wasn’t.”

She added, “But because of that experience, I delved deeper into country music history and studied our rich musical archive.

“It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some people who have dedicated so much of their lives to teaching our music history.”

Beyonce’s father Mathew Knowles told TMZ on September 9 that the CMAs said his daughter’s record, which was released on March 29, “speaks for itself.”

He added, “There are more white people in America and unfortunately they don’t vote based on ability and performance; it’s still a white-black thing sometimes.’

Knowles noted that amid the “current state of American culture… there is no responsibility for people who do not accept other cultures.”

Bryan spoke about Beyoncé’s foray into the country, days before news broke that she has submitted her album Cowboy Carter to the Grammy Awards in the country category.sources say The Hollywood Reporter Wednesday.

The Texas Hold ‘Em singer had previously submitted her 2016 song Daddy Lessons from her hit album Lemonade to compete in the country categories, but it was not nominated.

Beyoncé, who won 32 Grammy Awards, more than 88 career nominationshas never received a country nomination. She showed her crossover appeal in 2017, when Lemonade was nominated for awards in four genres: rock, rap, R&B and pop.

The Recording Academy uses the services of approximately “350 volunteer music industry experts” to provide their opinions on how content should be classified, THR reported, with complications arising at times when material reflects multiple genres.

Last year, industry experts were divided over how her album Renaissance would be classified, ultimately placing it in the dance category, where it emerged victorious.

Reaction to Beyoncé’s upcoming awards entry was divided among fans, as some thought the singer had made the best country album of the year, and others did not.

One user stated, “Queen Bey takes Nashville! Beyoncé for the country victory!’ while another predicted: ‘Beyonce will be the winner, mark my words.’

One user said: ‘I actually need her to win this one-off principle. Genre is about bending. Yes, it’s country… but it’s also a testament to the long lineage of inspiration that has enveloped that country. It’s not about Beyoncé, it’s about rewarding artistry without boundaries.”

Another said: ‘Great news! I’m so happy for her! I hope she takes home the win for this great album!’

One user predicted: ‘They will 100% disapprove of her. This will be Beyoncé’s least Grammy award-winning project, if it wins any at all.’

Those who felt the album lacked credit included someone who said Cowboy Carter “wasn’t a country album — it’s just cosplaying as one album.”

Another said, “Jay-Z is buying them prices as usual,” adding, “We all know he can’t buy the REAL CMA.”

Dolly Parton came to the defense of the Country Music Association last month after it was criticized for leaving out Beyoncé as a nominee.

The 78-year-old music legend spoke with Variety in an interview published on September 17 in which she was asked about the surprising development surrounding the superstar artist.

Parton said she thought Cowboy Carter was “a beautiful album” that Beyoncé “can be very, very proud of.”

“Well, you never know,” the Pittman Center, Tennessee-born icon told the outlet. “There are so many great country artists that, I think probably in the country music field, they probably thought, well, we can’t really leave out some of them who have been doing that their whole lives.”

The Jolene artist continued, “But I didn’t even realize that until someone asked me that question.”

The 9 to 5 singer added that she thinks “everyone in country music welcomed her and thought that was a good thing;” and that she did not feel that Beyoncé was deliberately rejected for her foray into the country genre.

“I don’t think it was a matter of being left out, like you were doing that on purpose,” Parton said. “I think it was just more of what the country charts and the country artists did, who do that all the time, and not just a special album.”

Parton continued, “I was lucky enough to be on both albums. Well, Jolene was in Beyoncé’s, and I thought that was a great album.’

The Islands in the Stream artist touched on Beyoncé’s background, saying, “She’s a country girl in Texas and Louisiana, so she grew up with that foundation.” It wasn’t like she just appeared out of nowhere.’

Parton said she was “open to anything” in terms of a possible collaboration with Beyoncé.

The CMAs air on November 20, 2024 at 8/7c.

The Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, February 2, 2025, and will be broadcast on CBS and streamed live on Paramount+. The nominations will be announced on November 8, 2024.