The 2025 CMA Awards drew 6.04 million viewers on ABC, marking a slight drop of about 40,000 viewers compared to last year’s broadcast. The decline comes despite an impressive lineup featuring country music legends such as Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, and others.

This downward trend mirrors what has been happening across the entertainment industry. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, award show ratings have fallen significantly across nearly all genres and networks.

The CMAs also faced another challenge this year: the absence of major stars like Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll, two of the most-streamed and talked-about country artists today. Their non-appearance was widely noted by fans online and may have contributed to the softer viewership.

While a few performances drew criticism and several artists battled audio issues, critics and fans largely praised the ceremony for shifting back to a music-focused broadcast, avoiding the overdone comedy skits and filler segments that have previously pulled attention away from the artistry.

However, the ratings slump has already had real consequences. Country fans have lost two awards shows in the past year due to low viewership:

• The CMT Music Awards on CBS are on an indefinite pause.

• NBC did not bring back the People’s Choice Country Awards for 2025.

Despite these concerns, there is currently no indication that the CMA Awards or ACM Awards are at risk. Both remain the most established and influential celebrations in country music — even as the industry adjusts to shifting audience habits and viewing platforms.

Several of country music’s biggest stars missed the CMA Awards and they had very good reasons to do so. Others just didn’t want to be there.

Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson and Brooks & Dunn were all spotted on the CMA stage. Vince Gill was celebrated and Kenny Chesney performed a stirring medley.

In fact every single artist nominee was in attendance, except for one.

Morgan Wallen is the most obvious face missing in the CMA crowd. He’s made it clear that awards shows are not a priority, so it seems unlikely fans will see him on ABC anytime soon. The same may be true about Jason Aldean.

On Instagram, Brittany Aldean revealed that she and her hubs were in Miami for a date night. The reason, “Not much love from that one.”

A couple artists who skipped the CMA Awards might be in a dark place. Both Jelly Roll and Kane Brown said as much during interviews on social media. Between them, only Jelly Roll is nominated in 2025.
This list of artists who skipped the CMA Awards is not complete. Included are nine artists who country fans expected to see there. Former hosts, recent performers and chart-toppers are all included. Country music’s biggest night seems a little bit smaller with their absence, and that’s no good for anyone.

9 Country Stars Who Skipped the 2025 CMA Awards

We knew Blake Shelton would miss the CMA Awards, and weren’t surprised to not see Morgan Wallen. However, the list of stars who skipped in 2025 is much longer than anyone expected.

Jason Kempin, Getty Images

Morgan Wallen

If Morgan Wallen didn’t make his feelings about the CMA Awards known, his buddy Ernest sure did when he told Taste of Country that Wallen, “don’t give a s–t.”

Jelly Roll

Earlier this month Jelly Roll canceled a show in New Zealand and since then he’s opened up about being in a bad place mentally. With just one nomination, he had reason to skip but one wonders if his fragile condition played a factor.

Post Malone

Post Malone is in between albums and — since his world tour — he’s been laying low. At last check he’s traveling in Europe but he also has a tour stop planned for India next month.

Blake Shelton

Just before the 2025 CMA Awards, Blake Shelton shared that he and his wife Gwen Stefani wouldn’t be attending. Instead they were going to watch at home. No reason was provided.

Reba McEntire

There was really no reason for Reba McEntire to attend the CMAs other than she seems to be at every award show, usually to host or perform. Her TV show Happy’s Place is no doubt keeping her busy in 2025.

Jason Aldean

A couple hours before the start of the 2025 CMAs, Jason Aldean’s wife Brittany shared a photo of the couple on a date night in Miami. He was not nominated this year.

Carrie Undrewood

Carrie Underwood was once a CMA Awards staple, but this is actually the second time in three years she’s skipped this show. Last year she performed with Cody Johnson but with American Idol to focus on and no nominations, she’s likely at home with her boys.

Kane Brown

Kane Brown attended the BMI Awards on Tuesday night (Nov. 18) but skipped the CMAs. On Instagram, he indicated he too was having a bad mental health day.

“Today’s just another day I’m beating my self up and I’m feeling down but I will never let it beat me,” he writes. “All my under dogs out there keep fighting.”

Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan has hosted the last few CMA Awards, so it seems possible that he skipped to give host Lainey Wilson some space. He too was not nominated.