Blake Shelton reacted to Garth Brooks’ announcement that he had given up his consideration in the “Artist of the Year” category for the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards.
The fact that Brooks won the category for the seventh time in his career last year, beating Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, had received much criticism.
The singer’s contributor to “Longneck Bottle” Steve Wariner reacted to the news on Wednesday and tweeted, “If you’ve ever seen @garthbrooks live, you know why he consistently wins ‘Artist of the Year.'”
GARTH BROOKS WITHDRAWS FROM THE CMA CATEGORY “ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR”: “IT’S TIME FOR SOMEONE ELSE”
He continued: “There is no one as great as Garth, but more importantly, there is no one as friendly.”
Shelton, 44, retweeted Wariner, 65, adding: “Steve agreed … This is Garth Brooks. GARTH BROOKS!
The “God’s Country” singer continued: “I don’t care what they say. NO ONE. Artist of the century.
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Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton
(AP / Getty Images)
Brooks’ wife, Trisha Yearwood, later thanked Shelton and Wariner for their support of Brooks amid the controversy.
“I love you guys! @Blakeshelton @stevewariner Thanks for always having my cowboy back!” Yearwood, 55, wrote.
Brooks, 58, announced during a press conference Wednesday that he was withdrawing from the category, according to The Tennessean.
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“You almost saw what happened after the CMAs, all through the new year. It got a little bit, it wasn’t fun, let’s say it that way,” he said.
Brooks continued: “But there was a tweet that really stuck in my head. He said, ‘Hey man. Why isn’t this guy retiring (and leaving) the artist for the next generation?’ 100% agree. “
The “Friends in Low Places” singer added that he didn’t want to “appear ungrateful” but that “it’s time for someone else to win that award … because everyone is breaking their butts.”
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The 54th. Annual CMA Awards will be held in November in Nashville. Voting started last month.
Fox News’ Jessica Napoli contributed to this report.
