In Nashville, country singers have long been advised to keep their political opinions to themselves so they don't alienate fans. But after the Las Vegas massacre last month, when a gunman shot and killed 58 people and injured hundreds more at a country music festival, the genre became linked with the contentious issue of gun control.
Most country artists have stayed quiet on the topic. However, next week, the industry's biggest stars will attend the Country Music Association Awards (the genre's most prominent televised event) and walk the red carpet and talk to press. So on Thursday, CMA organizers took preventive measures and advised reporters to stay away from sensitive topics, or they could be removed by security.