Kip Moore has never held back his opinions, especially when it comes to country music staying true to its roots. While some artists might sidestep the conversation, Moore isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind—especially regarding award shows and the industry’s ongoing push for pop collaborations.
In a recent discussion about the state of country music, Moore made it clear that he’s not against pop artists or their music. But when it comes to country awards shows, he believes they’re making a mistake by constantly seeking validation from outside genres.
Are Country Awards Shows Losing Their Identity?
Suppose you’ve watched a country music awards show in the last decade. In that case, you’ve probably noticed the increasing presence of pop stars. From Nick Jonas and Kelsea Ballerini at the 2016 CMAs to Katy Perry, Dua Lipa, and even Ludacris taking the stage at various events, country award shows have leaned heavily into crossover moments.
For some collaborations, it makes sense—Florida Georgia Line’s “Meant to Be” with Bebe Rexha was a massive hit. Justin Timberlake’s CMA performance with Chris Stapleton remains one of the most talked-about moments in recent memory. However, Moore argues that these moments shouldn’t come at the expense of true country artists who have already built passionate fanbases.
“I feel like we’re desperate in a way, and we don’t need to be,” Moore said. “It’s already such a powerful format, but we’re like, ‘Like us! Like us! Please like us!'”
He points out that other genres don’t feel the need to do this—rock, hip-hop, and pop awards shows don’t bend over backward to include country artists to expand their audience. So why does country music constantly seek outside approval?
The Case for Supporting Real Country Artists
Instead of bringing in pop stars to boost ratings, Moore believes award shows should highlight country artists who have already built something special. He specifically mentioned Cody Johnson, an artist who, even before his mainstream breakthrough, had a devoted following that filled arenas and topped the charts independently.
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“If I’m them, I’m putting Cody up there even before he became (a mainstream name), because Cody already had a killer fanbase,” Moore explained.
That same logic applies to acts like Whiskey Myers, a band that has built a rabidly loyal following through relentless touring and a sound that stays true to country and Southern rock traditions. Moore believes these kinds of artists should be showcased at country’s biggest events—real musicians playing real songs that deeply connect with fans.
“That’s actually an artist, and they’re actually playing these songs that they’re connected to, not just playing some weird collab that makes no sense,” Moore said.
His frustration is clear: award shows have an opportunity to celebrate country music’s most authentic voices, but instead, they chase gimmicks in the hope of broadening their audience.
Bringing Credibility Back to Country Awards
Moore’s message to the industry is simple: country music doesn’t need to beg for attention. It already has millions of devoted fans who appreciate the genre for what it is.
“If you’re listening, pay attention, because that’s how you get the shows to get credibility again,” Moore urged.
His words ring true for fans who have grown tired of award shows straying too far from the genre’s roots. At the end of the day, country music thrives when it honors its own—and according to Kip Moore, that’s exactly what needs to happen to fix country’s biggest nights.
