Travis Tritt Rips the CMA’s for Booking Beyonce

travis-tritt

While many of today’s country stars and the majority of the performers at the 50th Annual CMA Awards are rallying behind the decision to book Beyonce to perform on the 2016 presentation, one artist is more than happy to share his displeasure. The CMA’s invited a cavalcade of stars from country music’s past to perform on the show, but the 7-time platinum-selling Travis Tritt was not one of them. It’s possibly the outcome of his penchant to speak his mind when it comes to certain subjects, which he did again amid the controversy over Beyonce’s appearance Wednesday night.

“As I see it, country music has appealed to millions for many years. We can stand on our own and don’t need pop artists on our awards shows,” Tritt said in a series of tweets on November 3rd. “I love honest to God country music and feel the need to stand up for it at all costs. We don’t need pop or rap artists to validate us.”

Earlier Tritt had made some other digs at the Beyonce decision. “Thanks to everyone who came out to see us in Bowling Green, KY tonight. Sorry we weren’t able to do any Beyoncé for all the country fans,” he said. “FYI – My band and I are gonna try to work up Beyoncé’s “All The Single Ladies” for all you die hard country fans who love traditional music!”

Subsequently Tritt has been swept up in the whole “If you don’t like Beyonce, you’re racist” furor. “I’ve worked with Charlie Pride, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Patti Labelle, Randy Jackson, Sam Moore, Ray Charles, Isaac Hayes,” Tritt said. “Never thought I would ever be labeled as a racist. What is so wrong with allowing pop/rap/country/R&B/soul/gospel/bluegrass/blues or rock shows celebrating their backgrounds?”

Travis Tritt is releasing a new double CD and DVD on November 15th called A Man and His Guitar that features him on stage at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, TN with just a guitar.

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