NASHVILLE — Country music veteran Sammy Kershaw voiced sharp disappointment with the Country Music Association after the organization denied his request to walk the red carpet at the upcoming CMA Awards.

In a post shared on social media, the 1990s hitmaker revealed that he and his wife, Mendy, had cleared touring dates, booked flights and reserved hotel accommodations expecting to attend the annual ceremony together, only to receive a rejection just two weeks before showtime.

"I have to share my disappointment with the CMA as they have denied my request to walk the red carpet for a few minutes at this year’s CMA Awards, and I have to say I’m pretty sad about it," Kershaw wrote. "Then, to find out I was denied the red carpet two weeks before the show, after being strung along for several months and expecting we would be attending, WTF?"

Kershaw, who notched dozens of Billboard chart entries with classic hits like "She Don't Know She's Beautiful," "Cadillac Style," and "Queen of My Double Wide Trailer," questioned the organization's treatment of genre veterans. A lifetime member of the association since 1992 and a former Horizon Award nominee, he noted his decades-long contributions, record sales and regular appearances donating time to perform at the annual CMA Fest.

"After more than 50 years in this business... I would hope I’ve earned the opportunity to walk the red carpet alongside my wife, as we’ve done before," Kershaw stated. "I believe there should be room to recognize the artists who have spent their lives contributing to this organization’s success."

Calling the decision "extremely hurtful, embarrassing and very disappointing," Kershaw concluded with a stinging assessment of how traditional artists fit into modern award broadcasts: "I guess the next time I attend the CMA’s, it will be in tribute after I’m gone, if I’m lucky."

The Country Music Association has not publicly commented on Kershaw's statement.