Brandi Carlile and other female country stars praise CMT's new 'equal play' policy: 'Cowgirl up'
After growing complaints from stars like Kelsea Ballerini and Kacey Musgraves that country music is overlooking women, Country Music Television (CMT) has announced on Tuesday that it will promote equal play, vowing to offer “complete parity between male and female artists” on its channels.
Effective immediately all music video hours on CMT and CMT Music channels will have complete parity between male and female artists. That means 50/50. #CMTEqualPlay
— CMT (@CMT) January 21, 2020
“Time is really up,” Leslie Fram, senior vice president of music strategy, tweeted of the move. “All the talk about what can be done to support females in country music needs to transform to action.”
Annnnnnnd @CMT gets to go down in country music history as leading this charge. ? c’mon country radio 📻 cowgirl up! https://t.co/Ifm6MjKWOe
— Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile) January 21, 2020
While some social media users are grumbling about CMT’s stance — with one likening it to “affirmative action in country music” and others complaining that the network is ”pushing agendas” rather than playing “what people want to hear” — women in the business are saying it’s music to their ears.
Singer Brandi Carlile, who last week addressed sexism in country music during an appearance on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, thanked CMT for “leading this charge” and urged country radio stations to “cowgirl up.”
Annnnnnnd @CMT gets to go down in country music history as leading this charge. ? c’mon country radio 📻 cowgirl up! https://t.co/Ifm6MjKWOe
— Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile) January 21, 2020
Other female performers — but in the country music genre and out — also praised CMT for “taking a stand.”
Way to put your money where your mouth is!!!! @CMT @FramLeslie ???? https://t.co/5bBy926tAG
— Brandy Clark (@TheBrandyClark) January 21, 2020
If we do nothing we are part of the problem. Thank you Leslie for taking a stand and fighting for us https://t.co/CVNpqKSyjb
— Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) January 21, 2020
Small changes make small ripples that turn into big waves! Thank you @CMT for supporting us!!! @FramLeslie #CMTequalplay https://t.co/UKoJseiZcD
— Olivia Lane (@olivialanemusic) January 21, 2020
Amen!
— Morgan Myles (@MorganMylesLIVE) January 21, 2020
Maybe we should make a country album... 🥳🌈🤩?? https://t.co/ttD7mtbUDC
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) January 21, 2020
CMT’s push for equal play comes after stars like Jennifer Nettles, Shania Twain and Maren Morris called out gender disparity in their industry.
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