CMA Awards Respond to Backlash After Charley Pride's Death From Coronavirus, One Month After Attending Indoor Ceremony

The death of country music legend Charley Pride shocked his fans only one month after he was in attendance at the 2020 Country Music Association Awards, which were held indoors in November.

The 86-year-old music star died on Saturday (December 12) in Dallas, Texas of complications from COVID-19, his publicist confirmed.

Shortly after his death, Maren Morris took to Twitter to say that if the indoor award show contributed to his catching Coronavirus, everyone should be outraged.

The CMAs have now responded with a statement.

“Everyone affiliated with the CMA Awards followed strict testing protocols outlined by the city health department and unions. Charley was tested prior to traveling to Nashville. He was tested upon landing in Nashville, and again on show day, with all tests coming back negative,” the statement read. “After returning to Texas following the CMA Awards, Charley again tested negative multiple times. All of us in the country music community are heartbroken by Charley’s passing. Out of respect for his family during their grieving period, we will not be commenting on this further.”