On July 29, Garth Brooks announced he is permanently removing himself from consideration for the CMA Awards‘ Entertainer of the Year Award. Brooks has won the award seven times in the past, most recently in 2019.
It was that 2019 win that resulted in a bit of backlash, as some believed it was time for someone new to take home the trophy.
“You pretty much saw what happened after the CMAs, all the way through the new year. It got a little — it wasn’t fun, let’s put it that way, But there was one tweet that really stuck in my head. It said, ‘Why doesn’t he step down and have the entertainer for the next generation?’” Brooks said in a press conference on Facebook Live.
https://www.facebook.com/727776603968442/videos/2688911014769494
Brooks was praised by many for making this move. But some of his fellow country artists feel he deserves to stay in the running for Entertainer of the Year, and think it’s a shame he felt the need to step down.
Steve Wariner, for example, said, “If you’ve ever seen @garthbrooks live, you know why he consistently wins Entertainer of the Year. There is no one as big as Garth, but more importantly, there is no one as kind.”
Blake Shelton retweeted Wariner’s post and added his own comments.“He is Garth Brooks. GARTH BROOKS!!! I don’t give a s— what anyone says. ANYONE. Entertainer of the century,” he wrote.
Agreed Steve…. He is Garth Brooks. GARTH BROOKS!!! I don’t give a shit what anyone says. ANYONE. Entertainer of the century. https://t.co/42nuB4sVVW
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) July 29, 2020
Now, country music legend Loretta Lynn is offering her opinion of the situation…and she sides with the likes of Wariner and Shelton.
In a post made on Instagram, Lynn wrote, “I’ve thought a lot about @garthbrooks stepping down from being considered for CMA Entertainer of the Year. That’s classic, humble Garth but I think he’s wrong on this one!”
Lynn said she feels Brooks deserved all seven of his Entertainer of the Year trophies, and believes he is deserving of any more the CMA would want to bestow upon him.
“He’s won it 7 times because he earned it!” Lynn said. “In my book, he’s earned it 20 times over and deserves to win it anytime they count the votes up and he’s on top.”
She went on to share her love for Brooks, saying, “I hope CMA ignores his request! Love you, honey.”
Look below to read Lynn’s full thoughts on Brooks’ decision to remove himself from the CMA Awards’ Entertainer of the Year category.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDxE9ORpGXF/
Back in 2010, Brooks accompanied Lynn to the Grammys Salute to Country event. They performed together and Brooks said in an interview he was Lynn’s date for the night.
He said he asked her which vehicle she’d like him to come pick her up in, a limo or a truck? And like a true country girl, Lynn told him to bring his truck!
Watch that sweet interview by tuning in to the clip below.
It’s clear Lynn and Brooks have a mutual respect for each other. That’s why it comes as no surprise that Lynn is advocating for him to keep himself in the running for Entertainer of the Year!