Sammy Kershaw has accepted the Country Music Associaton's apology after he was denied the opportunity to walk this year's red carpet.

Sammy said in a new statement that CMA leadership apologized for how the situation was handled, and he accepted the apology.

They also invited him and his wife, Mendy, to attend the 60th annual CMA Awards and walk the red carpet alongside their fellow artists.

But for Sammy, this has become about something bigger than one invitation. He hopes the conversations with the CMA will lead to greater recognition for the legacy artists who helped build country music.