Making your own rules... women in country are forging a new path
Hello everyone,
It's been a while since I've written a post, it's been a busy summer with work and it's taken over everything much to my dismay. It's been a stressful time but I've found great strength in listening to music over these last few months. Do you ever feel like you're walking a tight rope? That you have so much on the go and it's a fine juggling act? You need to drop a ball but you're on a momentum that keeps it all going and you're just managing to catch it each time but soon you're going to slip and fall? To get me through this I've been listening to a lot of Maren Morris (Second Wind is great uplifting song), Kacey Musgraves (Rainbow), and the latest from Pistol Annies, Twinnie and Miranda Lambert.
Throughout these moments which seem to be ongoing at the moment, I find a lot of strength from listening to music and in particular female country music artists and songwriters that I can relate to. I've was so excited to read a few months ago that the Nashville independent record label Big Loud has partnered with songwriter Nicolle Galyon to create an all female sub-label called Songs & Daughters. This label will be devoted solely to signing female acts.
Galyon has taken on the role of president and runs the label to help the next generation of artists forge a new path to get their music heard. It shocks me every time I read about how female artists struggle to get played on American radio stations. The first signee is Madison Kozak so listen out for her.
As well as this exciting news, there has been a few exciting collaborations between different female artists over the last couple of months; The Highwomen is a new all female group formed by Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires. The name of the group plays homage to The Highwaymen that consisted of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson.
Their debut album comes out on 6th September and their first single 'Redesigning Women' is out now. Look out for appearances for other female country artists over the next few months as this is a strong group of women for other women. They've already performed with Dolly Parton, Sheryl Crow, Yola Carter and many more at events throughout the summer.
Other female collaborations recently include Miranda Lambert and Maren Morris' new duet 'Way Too Pretty For Prison' and who can forget the epic Miranda Lambert 'Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars' tour featuring Pistol Annies, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townesand a whole host of other artists. I hope there's more of that and it reaches the U.K. as I'd love to see them play together. Look out for Maren Morris' collaboration with Sheryl Crow and Stevie Nicks called 'Prove You Wrong'.
I love the fact that these strong women are sticking together and supporting each other. It's a new path and these women mean business. Let me know your favourites by commenting below, I'd love to hear from you.
Hope you have a great week and check out this new music.
Sammi x