alan jackson cmas© Photo: Getty Images

Why did Alan Jackson walk out of the 2016 CMA Awards?

The country music legend will be honored at the 2022 CMAs

US Lifestyle Editor
November 4, 2022

The 2022 CMA Awards are fast-approaching and many of country music's biggest stars will be heading to Nashville's Bridgestone's Arena on November 9.

RELATED: CMA Awards 2022 - performers, presenters, nominees, how to watch + more

One man who will be making a return to the ceremony is Alan Jackson, who will be honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. However, organizers will no doubt be keeping their fingers crossed that his appearance goes off without a hitch.

WATCH: Keith Urban brings fans to tears with touching tribute at the CMAs

Back in 2016, Alan reportedly walked out of the ceremony when Beyonce joined the Dixie Chicks for a performance to celebrate 50 years of the CMAs.

Prior to the event, Alan had made his feelings about pop stars appearing at country music award shows very clear – he's not a fan.

RELATED: Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson among nominees for 2022 CMA Awards

MORE: Inside country music singers' jaw-dropping homes: Carrie Underwood, Jimmie Allen, Miranda Lambert + more

When asked about his hopes for the CMAs 50th anniversary ceremony, Alan said: "Yeah, they may play some real country music.

"But I understand the dang television station trying to get the ratings with whatever they think is gonna prop it up, with some big event with some other type of artist on there."

© Photo: Getty Images

Beyonce performed with the Dixie Chicks at the CMAs in 2016

He added: "Yeah, hopefully, it'll be a good country music show for a change."

While many praised the performance despite Beyonce not being a country music singer, Alan didn't get his wish so hammered home his stance by seemingly storming out of the ceremony.

According to one Nashville manager, Alan "stood up from the front row and walked out in the middle of the performance", Billboard reported at the time.

© Photo: Getty Images

Alan reportedly walked out during the performance

Alan might not be too happy this year either then, as Hollywood star Jessica Chastain and Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts are slated to present an award.

However, the 2022 ceremony is filled to the brim with country stars who will take to the stage to entertain the star-studded crowd, including Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, and many more.

Read more HELLO! US stories here 

Like this story? Sign up to our What to Watch newsletter and get the heads-up on the shows and films everyone’s talking about.

Sign up to Off Camera for all the gossip and goings-on from the wonderful world of TV and film

Email Address

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More TV and Film

See more