Loretta Lynn: Garth Brooks Is 'Wrong' To Withdraw From CMA EOTY Category

Loretta Lynn is speaking out against Garth Brooks' decision to remove himself from the running for CMA Entertainer of the Year.

In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday (August 12), Lynn said that Brooks shouldn't withdraw from the running for Entertainer of the Year if he is deserving of the title.

"I’ve thought a lot about @garthbrooks stepping down from being considered for CMA Entertainer of the Year. That’s classic, humble Garth but I think he’s wrong on this one!" she wrote in a caption alongside a photo of herself and Brooks on stage at the 2010 Grammy Salute to Country Music event.

"He’s won it 7 times because he earned it! In my book, he’s earned it 20 times over and deserves to win it anytime they count the votes up and he’s on top," she continued. "He’s worked his heart out and you can mark it down that I’m his biggest fan."

She concludes, "I hope CMA ignores his request! Love you, honey."

Brooks announced his decision to permanently remove himself from the running for CMA Entertainer of the Year during a press conference in July 2020. After winning a total of seven times throughout his career, Brooks said, "it's time for somebody else to hold that award."

"You pretty much saw what happened after the CMAs, all the way through the new year. It got a little-- it wasn't fun, let's put it that way," Brooks said at the time. "But there was one tweet that really stuck in my head. It said, 'Hey, man. This guy, why doesn't he just step down (and leave) the entertainer for the next generation?'"

Brooks went on to say that he "100% agreed" with the idea. "The last thing I want to do is seem ungrateful to the CMAs and everybody that has voted for us," he continued. "We are officially pulling ourselves out of entertainer of the year. And my number is seven, you guys know that. And we feel very lucky with seven. And it's time for somebody else to hold that award, know what that entertainer feels like. Because they're all out there busting their butts."

Although Brooks decided to withdraw from the running for CMA Entertainer of the Year, he made it clear he's still like to be considered in all other categories.

Photo: Getty Images