CMT Announces First All-Female Artists of the Year Gala
CMT makes history with an Artists of the Year celebration honoring female country artists.
CMT’s Artists of the Year Gala is an annual concert event that celebrates influential country music artists. This year, for the first time ever, all of those artists are women.
Seven powerhouses comprise the list of the 2018 honorees: Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman (of Sugarland), Hillary Scott (of Lady Antebellum), and Carrie Underwood.
We’re celebrating the women of country music with the first-ever all-female #CMTAOTY! Mark your calendar for Oct 17 > https://t.co/5iy3Wxcovt @carrieunderwood @mirandalambert @KelseaBallerini @MarenMorris @KarenFairchild @ohgussie @HillaryScottLA pic.twitter.com/VM0kb0mGvu
— CMT (@CMT) September 11, 2018
Over the past few years, country music fans have begun to speak out about inequalities in the traditionally male-dominated industry. Though countless talented female artists are producing new music, their songs rarely see any radio play, barring women from appearing on country charts.
Men of Country Music: Where you at? It’s weird not to see your names on the chart. Unfortunately, that’s a feeling female artists know all too well. 4 weeks of top 40 charts, 5 women, only 1 in the top 20. Country music isn’t 88% men. Radio and the charts shouldn’t be either. pic.twitter.com/kTRXByefZT
— WOMAN Nashville (@women_want_more) July 11, 2018
Okay, I think there are a ton of talented male country artists (ex. Dan + Shay) but there are SO many female artists who work their asses off and get little to no recognition. If you look at the charts, there’s typically 0-2 female artists in the top ten.
— xgiacoppox126-Vinnie (@xgiacoppox126) August 14, 2018
Though CMT’s decision to honor all women as their Artists of the Year won’t fix every inequality within country music, it is certainly a step in the right direction. The televised event will ultimately offer talented female artists a major platform through which to reach potential new fans, and showcase just how important women are to the music industry.
CMT’s Artists of the Year Gala will air on October 17th.