Billy Ray Cyrus defended Beyonce over her lack of Country Music ᴀssociation Awards nominations – after the Texas born songstress got snubbed by the ᴀssociation – despite her successful foray in country music.

Beyonce however has been nominated for 11 Grammys this year – with five in the country sector. 

Billy Ray, 63, was ‘surprised’ she was overlooked, adding that her album Cowboy Carter was ‘brilliant’ and her ‘single ruled.’

He shared his comments on his Instagram page Wednesday afternoon – ahead of the Country Music ᴀssociation Awards later in the evening. 

‘Congratulations to ALL @cma nominees! I’m so happy and proud to see country music opening their doors and format to be inclusive to all people, all styles. @lilnasx and I won this award in 2019 for Event of the Year… but you wouldn’t have seen it because they didn’t air it in the show,’ he wrote on his Instagram.

‘I was surprised to see Beyonce wasn’t nominated??? Her album was brilliant… her single rules. But she knows that. She doesn’t need a trophy from the CMA… or permission… or approval from any of their judges. “When ya knock em out… ya don’t need no judge.” – Muhammad Ali.’

Billy Ray Cyrus defended Beyonce over her lack of Country Music ᴀssociation Awards nominations – after the Texas born songstress got snubbed by the ᴀssociation – despite her successful foray in country music

He shared his comments on his Instagram page Wednesday afternoon – ahead of the Country Music ᴀssociation Awards later in the evening

Cowboy Carter is her eighth studio album, released via Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records; it was released March 29, 2024.

Texas Hold’ Em reached the number one spot on the Billboard H๏τ 100 chart, after it initially debuted on the charts at the No. 2 position.

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It also reached number 1 on the Billboard H๏τ Country Songs list – making history.

Beyonce – who was born in Texas – is the black female artist to have a number one country song, according to Billboard.

The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 – with Beyonce making history as the first black woman to reach the top of the country albums chart.

Dolly Parton previously shared her thoughts on Beyonce getting snubbed, noting that while the album was ‘wonderful.’ 

The country legend speculated that perhaps the awards show didn’t want to ‘leave out’ any artists who have spent more time in the country music genre.

However, Post Malone also switched genres this year and dropped a country album called F-1 Trillion on August 16, 2024, and is nominated for four CMA Awards. 

‘I was surprised to see Beyonce wasn’t nominated??? Her album was brilliant… her single rules. But she knows that. She doesn’t need a trophy from the CMA… or permission… or approval from any of their judges. “When ya knock em out… ya don’t need no judge.” – Muhammad Ali’

Beyonce however has been nominated for 11 Grammys this year – with five in the country sector

Luke Bryan also had an opinion on Beyonce’s snub.

Luke, who is co-hosting the CMA Awards, had some very interesting insight while being interviewed by Andy Cohen on his SiruiusXM’s Andy Cohen Live.

‘Everybody loved that Beyonce made a country album. Nobody’ mad about it. But where things get a little trick and, and you know – if you’re gonna make country albums, come into out world and be country with us a little bit,’ Luke said.

Adding: ‘Beyonce can do it exactly what she wants to. She’s probably the biggest star in music. But come to an award show and high-five us, and have fun and get in the family too. And I’m not saying she didn’t do that.’ 

]After he was called out for his comments, Luke clarified that his comments or his intentions were not negative: ‘You will hear my tone and intentions which were not negative. I respect Beyonce and I love how loyal her fans are. I spend a lot of time supporting other artists. I want everyone to win. Love y’all,’ he wrote on his X, formerly Twitter, account.