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Shaboozey has addressed the viral moment from the 2025 American Music Awards, where he appeared to give Megan Moroney a side-eye after she claimed that the Carter Family “essentially invented” country music.
At Monday night’s ceremony, the two artists took the stage to present the award for favorite country duo or group. During this segment, they paid tribute to some past country legends acknowledged by the AMAs, with Shaboozey referencing Charley Pride, who won the first-ever AMA for favorite male country artist. In turn, Moroney read from a teleprompter stating, “this award went to the Carter Family, who basically invented country music.”
Following her statement, the “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” singer seemed to give her a side-eye, after which the duo presented the award to Dan + Shay. The moment quickly circulated online, prompting Shaboozey to respond to the ensuing dialogue on X.
In a now-deleted post, Shaboozey encouraged followers to research figures like Lesley Riddle, Steve Tarter, Harry Gay, and DeFord Bailey to understand their impact on country music and the Carter Family. The Carter Family is famed as “the first family of country music,” according to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Riddle is notably recognized as an influence on the group, assisting A.P. Carter with songs and teaching Maybelle Carter his guitar style. However, as Shaboozey implied, while the Carter Family often receives recognition, the contributions of Black country pioneers are frequently overlooked.
“When you reveal the true history of country music, you discover a story so compelling that it cannot be erased…” he wrote in a subsequent post on Tuesday. Roughly an hour later, Shaboozey added in another post that “the real history of country music revolves around people uniting despite their differences, embracing and celebrating our shared humanity.”
A representative for Moroney has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The impact of Black musicians on the country genre has gained increasing visibility in recent years, highlighted by last year’s Grammy-winning country album, Cowboy Carter, by Beyoncé. She dedicated her Grammy for album of the year to country pioneer Linda Martell, who appeared on the album with tracks like “Spaghettii” and “The Linda Martell Show.” Before the album’s release last March, Beyoncé disclosed her desire to create the project after feeling “unwelcome” when trying to enter the country music sphere.
“It was unmistakably clear that I wasn’t,” the Grammy-winning artist stated in an Instagram post at the time. “However, that experience prompted me to explore the history of country music and delve into our extensive musical heritage. It’s gratifying to witness how music can unite countless people globally while also amplifying the voices of those who’ve dedicated their lives to educating others about our musical roots.”
Shaboozey contributed to “Spaghettii” and “SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN’, ” telling The Hollywood Reporter last year that his involvement in Cowboy Carter “helped amplify my efforts in this arena,” while acknowledging Beyoncé’s contemporary influence on the genre.
He, of course, gained prominence shortly thereafter, as “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” matched Lil Nas X’s country-hip hop hit “Old Town Road” for the most weeks ever at Number One on the Hot 100. The song received three Grammy nominations, including best country song and best country solo performance.
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