After the Country Music Association (CMA) published its 58th annual awards nominations, social media was ablaze with complaints that Beyoncé's “Cowboy Carter” was unfairly overlooked.
Social media fans raged. Country artists backed Beyoncé. A racial justice nonprofit demanded change.
Many news sites produced think pieces criticizing country music for erasing Black women and Black artists.
But several fans thought the musician and her label may never have submitted “Cowboy Carter” for consideration.
The Washington Post asked the CMA and Beyoncé's Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records reps if “Cowboy Carter” had been considered.
Billboard says CMA qualifying does not require submission. The 6,600 voters receive a write-in ballot to specify their selections.
One nomination per award category per member, Billboard wrote.
CMA allows a list of the top 10 country chart singles to be used for the single of the year category.