# 27 Years After Alan Jackson Defended George Jones at the CMA Awards, the Songwriter Behind “Choices” Weighs In on Sammy Kershaw Debate

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/27-years-after-alan-jackson-defended-george-jones-at-the-cma-awards-the-songwriter-behind-choices-weighs-in-on-sammy-kershaw-debate/
- Published: 2026-11-10T16:26:51+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-10T16:39:23+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/27-years-after-alan-jackson-defended-george-jones-at-the-cma-awards-the-songwriter-behind-choices-weighs-in-on-sammy-kershaw-debate/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Billy Yates says the CMA should rethink its red carpet decision.
- Sammy Kershaw wanted to walk with his wife.
- Yates recalls Alan Jackson performing “Choices” for George Jones.

## Summary

Songwriter Billy Yates has criticised the Country Music Association after it denied Sammy Kershaw’s request to walk the CMA Awards red carpet with his wife. Yates compared the decision with the 1990s dispute over George Jones’s performance of “Choices”, urging the organisation to reconsider its approach as artists and fans voice support for Kershaw.

Kershaw cited his decades in country music, chart hits and lifetime CMA membership when explaining why he felt he had earned the opportunity. The CMA said red carpet rules reflect space and security limits, and announced it was in contact with his team. In the earlier dispute, Jones was allotted one minute to sing “Choices” and stayed away; Alan Jackson performed the song in his place, in a moment Yates says made history.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.