Shaboozey’s Reaction to Megan Moroney Saying the Carter Family Invented Country Music at AMAs Goes Viral
- Shaboozey's reaction to Megan Moroney's statement about the Carter Family inventing country music at the 2025 American Music Awards caused a viral moment.
Fans were quick to clock Shaboozey's reaction to Megan Moroney saying the Carter Family invented country music while presenting at the 2025 American Music Awards Monday night.
The awkward moment happened when the two singers were presenting the award for favorite country duo or group, which ultimately went to Dan + Shay.
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"Country music has been an important part of AMA history. The very first year of this show, the award for favorite male country artist went to the great Charlie Pride," Shaboozey read from the teleprompter first.
Moroney was up next, reading, "That same year, favorite female artist went to Lynn Anderson, and this award [favorite country duo or group] went to the Carter family, who basically invented country music."
It was that last line that seemingly caught the "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" singer by surprise, as he appeared to give her a side eye before pausing to process what she said and letting out a laugh before proceeding to present the nominees in the category.
The Carter Family, considered "the first family of country music," according to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum , was an American folk music group that produced a number of hits throughout the 1920s, '30s and '40s. Some of the songs included "Wildwood Flower," "Wabash Cannonball," "Keep on the Sunny Side" and "Can the Circle Be Unbroken."
He responded to the viral moment in a since-deleted X post on Tuesday, where he Shaboozey first told followers to look up figures like Lesley Riddle, Steve Tarter, Harry Gay and DeFord Bailey, and their influence on country and The Carter Family. Riddle in particular is cited as an influence on the group for helping A.P. Carter with songs and for teaching Maybelle Carter his guitar style. Still, as Shaboozey seems to reference, while The Carter Family are often spotlighted, Black country progenitors haven't been given their due.
"When you uncover the true history of country music, you find a story so powerful that it cannot be erased…" he wrote in another post on Tuesday. Shaboozey followed up his second post roughly an hour later, writing that "the real history of country music is about people coming together despite their differences, and embracing and celebrating the things that make us alike."
The 2025 American Music Awards, hosted by Jennifer Lopez , were held at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Monday night. Billie Eilish, SZA, Beyoncé, Eminem, Post Malone, Becky G and Gracie Abrams were among the night's big winners. Check out the red carpet arrivals and the full winners list .
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Shaboozey's rep for comment.
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