Gabby Barrett and Morgan Wallen Lead Country Music Finalists At Billboard Music Awards
Finalists for the 2021 Billboard Music Awards were revealed today (4/30). The ceremony will air live on Sunday, May 23 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
Gabby Barrett is a finalist in a few categories, as is Morgan Wallen, as we reported earlier, because of the popularity of Dangerous: The Double Album which spent ten weeks at the top of the Billboard 200. But the Billboard Music Awards won’t be inviting him to the event, which means he won’t be on hand to perform, present or accept an award.
Dick Clark Productions, which produces the Billboard Music Awards, released a statement, explaining. “Unique among awards shows, Billboard Music Awards (BBMA) finalists are determined by performance on the Billboard charts, and are not chosen by a voting committee or membership organization. BBMA finalists and winners are based on key fan interactions with music (including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, social engagement), tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data.”
“With our content reaching millions of viewers, dcp and MRC have the privilege and responsibility to effect change by creating a more inclusive dialogue in our productions and across the industry.”
“Morgan Wallen is a finalist this year based on charting. As his recent conduct does not align with our core values, we will not be including him on the show in any capacity (performing, presenting, accepting).”
“It is heartening and encouraging to hear that Morgan is taking steps in his anti-racist journey and starting to do some meaningful work. We plan to evaluate his progress and will consider his participation in future shows.”
Here are categories that country artists are in.
Top Duo/Group – ALL GENRE AWARD
AC/DC
AJR
BTS
Dan + Shay
Maroon 5
Top Song Sales Artist – ALL GENRE AWARD
Justin Bieber
BTS
Megan Thee Stallion
Morgan Wallen
The Weeknd
Top Country Artist
Gabby Barrett
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Top Country Male Artist
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Top Country Female Artist
Gabby Barrett
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
Top Country Duo/Group
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Top New Artist – ALL GENRE AWARD
Gabby Barrett
Doja Cat
Jack Harlow
Pop Smoke
Rod Wave
Top Country Album
Gabby Barrett, Goldmine
Sam Hunt, SOUTHSIDE
Chris Stapleton, Starting Over
Carrie Underwood, My Gift
Morgan Wallen, Dangerous: The Double Album
Top Country Song
Jason Aldean — “Got What I Got”
Gabby Barrett — “I Hope”
Lee Brice — “One of Them Girls”
Morgan Wallen — “Chasin’ You”
Morgan Wallen — “More Than My Hometown”
Top Radio Song – ALL GENRE AWARD
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth — “I Hope”
Chris Brown & Young Thug — “Go Crazy”
Dua Lipa — “Don’t Start Now”
Harry Styles — “Adore You”
The Weeknd — “Blinding Lights”
Top Selling Song – ALL GENRE AWARD
Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth — “I Hope”
BTS — “Dynamite”
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion — “WAP”
Megan Thee Stallion — “Savage”
The Weeknd — “Blinding Lights”
Gallery: Morgan Wallen
