2020 CMA Awards | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

Garth Brooks is pulling his name from consideration in the Entertainer of the Year category at the 2020 CMA Awards.

The 58-year-old country star announced on Wednesday (July 29) during a virtual press conference (via People) that he wants his name to be permanently out of contention, saying “It’s time for somebody else to hold that award.”

Garth has won Entertainer of the Year a record breaking seven times – in 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2016, 2017 and 2019 — but his latest win last year, he says, was “not that fun, to tell you the truth.”

Garth received a lot of backlash from fans last year, who had hoped that Carrie Underwood or Eric Church would win.

Despite wanting the Country Music Association to no longer consider him, the organization released a statement saying that entertainers can not withdraw from consideration.

“The long-standing CMA Awards rules do not allow individuals to remove themselves from the balloting process at any point,” the CMAs shared in a statement.

If he is nominated again, he is asking CMA members not to vote for him.

“I’m very grateful for the time that I’ve got to go [win],” Garth said, but now, “somebody else needs to hold that.”

Carrie Underwood has made a huge announcement – she will not be hosting the 2020 CMA Awards.

The 36-year-old country superstar took to Instagram on Monday (December 30) to reveal that she is stepping down after 12 years of hosting the show.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Carrie Underwood

“One of the highlights of 2019 and of my entire career so far was being on stage with the legends that are Reba and Dolly Parton,” Carrie started her post. “I’m so proud that we could celebrate the incredible female artists that are part of the legacy of country music, past, present and future, and I’m thankful for the huge audiences all over the world that tuned in to see it.”

“It’s hard to believe that it was my 12th year hosting and I will always treasure every show, from the 11 that I was so lucky to do with my partner in crime and friend for life, Brad Paisley, to sharing the stage with two of my all-time heroes,” Carrie continued. “I’m so incredibly grateful to everyone involved with the CMA Awards all these years. It’s hard to imagine topping what we have accomplished together, so I’ve decided that it’s time to pass the hosting torch (at least for now!) to others that will cherish it and honor it as much as I do. I’ve got so many exciting things coming in the new year and beyond, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for all of us. #blessed #MemorableMoments.”

Carrie has been hosting the CMA Awards since 2008. She now ties Vince Gill as the most frequent host of the awards show. He hosted the 12 consecutive years from 1992-2003.