Shaboozey Thanks Beyoncé for ‘Opening a Door for Us’ as ‘Cowboy Carter’ Is Snubbed by CMA Awards

As Shaboozey celebrated his first two CMA Awards nominations on Monday (Sept. 9), he took a moment to recognize an artist who didn’t score any nods at the country awards show: Beyoncé.

The country newcomer shared his excitement on social media over scoring two nods at the Nov. 20 show — new artist of the year and single of the year for his breakout hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which spends its ninth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week — but he also couched his excitement with praise for Beyoncé, whose blockbuster first country album, Cowboy Carter, didn’t receive any nods.

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On his Instagram Story sharing the news of his two nominations, Shaboozey used Beyoncé’s Hot 100 No. 1 Cowboy Carter single “Texas Hold ‘Em” to soundtrack the slide. And on the next Story, he wrote: “That goes without saying. Thank you @Beyonce for opening a door for us, starting a conversation, and giving us one of the most innovative country albums of all time!” He shared the same sentiment on X (see his post below).

Before “A Bar Song” took over the Hot 100 this summer, Shaboozey made his chart debut as a featured act on two Cowboy Carter tracks: “Spaghettii” (also featuring country legend Linda Martell) and “Sweet * Honey * Buckiin’.” Then ‘Boozey and Bey made history in April, when “A Bar Song” replaced “Texas Hold ‘Em” atop the Hot Country Songs chart — marking the first time two Black artists had led the ranking back-to-back.

In addition to his Beyoncé spotlight, Shaboozey also shared his heartfelt thanks for the two noms on X. “Wrote a song about winning a CMA in 2016, and now I’m nominated for 2! Thank you @CountryMusic and congrats to the other nominees. What an honor would be an understatement. #CMAawards.”

Morgan Wallen is the leading nominee for the 2024 CMA Awards, picking up seven nods on Monday. Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton follow with five nods apiece, while Post Malone and Lainey Wilson each earned four. Louis Bell, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves each secured three nominations. The 58th annual CMA Awards will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and next day on Hulu.

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