Charley Pride Death: CMAs Address Speculations Country Singer Contracted COVID-19 At Awards Show

The Country Music Association is speaking out after receiving backlash over the death of Charley Pride. The country singer died at the age of 86 Saturday of complications from COVID-19.

Following the announcement of Pride's death, musicians and social media users began speculating that the singer may have contracted the coronavirus during the 2020 CMA Awards, where he received the Lifetime Achievement Award and sang “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” with Jimmy Allen. The awards show was held indoors at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, on Nov. 11.

The organizers behind the CMA Awards have since released a statement, making it clear that the city's COVID-19 protocols were strictly followed.

"Everyone affiliated with the CMA Awards followed strict testing protocols outlined by the city health department and unions," CMA said in a statement on its website. "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. 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," the statement continued. "Out of respect for his family during their grieving period, we will not be commenting on this further."

The CMA Awards also addressed pandemic-related concerns ahead of the show, assuring artists and fans that the organization was working hard to create the "safest environment possible."

"Prior to even stepping onto our footprint at MCC, every single person (including artists and their reps) was required to be tested, with many testing repeatedly throughout the week as an extra measure of precaution," the CMAs told Entertainment Tonight in November.

"Just as with COVID regulations at restaurants, all in attendance are required to wear a mask any time they leave their assigned seat," it continued. "Staff and crew are also required to wear PPE at all times and, of course, practice social and physical distancing. Tables are spaced eight feet apart with no more than four people seated per table."

Following Pride's death, a number of artists, industry professionals and Twitter users, including singer Maren Morris and writers Kaleb Horton and Bonnie Stiernberg, appeared to blame CMAs for the country legend contracting the coronavirus.

"Charley Pride died of COVID one month after performing at the CMAs, which were indoors and full of people not wearing masks," Stiernberg tweeted. "They gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award and promptly killed him. Disgusting."