One of the most popular topics of discussion in the present day is the eighth studio album of the American singer and songwriter Beyoncé, "Cowboy Carter," released on March 29, 2024. Behind the Queen Midas of contemporary music, there are strong women holding her.
Linda Martell's career soared quickly. Initially performing with family members in the 1950s, she faced setbacks with the band Anglos in the 1960s. Yet, her solo journey began when she was discovered by William “Duke” Rayner and introduced to Shelby Singleton Jr. at Mercury Records. Singleton's persuasion led her to shift from pop to country music in 1969. Despite country music's Black origins, Black artists had limited access in the 1960s. Martell's cover of “Color Him Father” reached No. 22 on the Billboard country charts, marking a historic achievement. This would be the highest a Black woman would chart for more than a half-century until Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” hit No. 1 in March. She debuted at the Grand Ole Opry the same year, becoming its first Black female performer in themost iconic and long-standing institutions in country music, serving as a platform for countless legendary artists and contributing significantly to the genre's growth and popularity over the years.. In 1970, her album "Color Me Country" solidified her as country's first Black superstar. However, Martell faced relentless racism and derogatory remarks during performances. It wasn't long before Martell's rising star faded as fast as she appeared on the country scene. Beyoncé later spotlighted her by covering songs like "Spaghetti" and featuring her on "The Linda Martell Show" in her eighth studio album.
Dolly Parton is established as the “Queen of Country Music” since her debut in 1967 with “Hello, I’m Dolly.” Success after success, decade after decade, the wide range of commercial: with sales, chart peak and streaming, even creating her own label Dolly Records, and genres: country, pop and rock. Not only in the US, but 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time; as well as critical acclaim with a collection of awards. Her public image is slightly controversial, as she navigates a balance between advocacy for feminism, particularly as an elder with ageism causes, but over years she undergoes numerous plastic surgeries. Beyoncé made a cover of Parton’s success “Jolene” her eighth studio album. Behind Parton’s reign, there is a lost Queen, June Carter.
June Carter became the talk of the town after the release of “Walk the Line” (James Mangold, 2005), portraying her as the “wife of Johnny Cash.” However, many years before, she was a pioneer in the country music scene, a comedian, and an actress. Despite being underrated, misunderstood, and underappreciated, she was a vital part of the Carter Family, pioneers of Western country music, alongside her parents and sisters. Her career and divorces were frowned upon in the conservative 1950s Nashville, as well as her meteoric acting career in the 1950s as a solo mother in the Big Apple. Later, Johnny Cash became her partner, both in her career and personal life, and she played a significant role in his success, as the pen behind the hits like “Ring of Fire.” However, a few years before her death in 2003, she released her last solo album, “Wildwood Flower,” in 1998, after 25 years without anything in her solo career. Despite facing many rejections due to her age, 70 years old at the time, she persevered until Vichy Hamilton, who created her own record label, recognized her talent.
Country music has historically been dominated by white males, with male artists often receiving more recognition, opportunities, and airplay compared to their female counterparts. This gender disparity has been particularly pronounced in certain aspects of the industry, such as headlining major festivals, winning awards, and securing top spots on country music charts. However, it's essential to acknowledge the significant contributions of the female artists mentioned to the genre, despite facing systemic challenges and barriers. Over the years, numerous talented women have made significant strides in country music, breaking down barriers and reshaping the industry's landscape. In recent years, there has been increased awareness and advocacy for gender equality in country music, leading to more conversations and initiatives aimed at addressing the gender gap. While challenges persist, there is growing momentum towards creating a more inclusive and equitable industry for all artists, regardless of gender, race, and ethnicity. Now with Beyoncé’s album a discussion on the intersectionality.
A noteworthy mention is Taylor Swift, a major name in the music industry as a popstar but initially gained recognition in the country music genre. Her debut in 2006 with the self-titled album "Taylor Swift" marked her entry into the country music scene. The album featured hits like "Tim McGraw" and "Teardrops on My Guitar," establishing her as a rising star in country music. Following the success of her debut, Swift released her sophomore album, "Fearless," in 2008. This album solidified her status as a country music sensation, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Hits like "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me" became anthems for a generation of fans. Swift's subsequent albums, "Speak Now" (2010) and "Red" (2012), continued to showcase her songwriting prowess and evolving sound, blending elements of country with pop sensibilities.
The genre’s growth is notable not only for its diversity in terms of gender, race, and ethnicity, but also for its influence beyond national borders. Country music has distant relatives across the globe. For instance, in Brazil, three distinct styles—Forró, Baião, and Sertanejo—have strong parallels to country music.
Forró and Baião are traditional music styles originating from northeastern Brazil, which emerged in the 19th century but gained popularity and evolved into their modern forms during the 20th century. They are known for their lively rhythms and danceable beats, often featuring accordion, zabumba (a type of drum), and triangle as primary instruments. The themes of Forró and Baião typically revolve around rural life, love, and folklore, sometimes commenting on the harsh conditions of the region, known for extreme poverty and dryness.
Sertanejo originated in the countryside of Brazil in the 1920s and shares similarities with country music. Both genres often focus on themes of rural life, love, and storytelling, frequently featuring the acoustic guitar as a prominent instrument. Additionally, both Sertanejo and country music have sub-genres ranging from traditional to more contemporary sounds, catering to diverse audiences. Sertanejo's contemporary developments made it the most popular music style in 2000s and 2010s Brazil, particularly throughout the southern/southeastern and center-western countryside regions. Many Sertanejo artists perform as duos, sometimes formed by siblings, typically singing vocal harmonies.
While each genre maintains its own identity, there have been instances of artists blending elements of country music with Forró, Baião, and Sertanejo, creating fusion styles that incorporate aspects of these traditions. This fusion often results in unique and vibrant music and subgenres that bridge cultural boundaries and appeal to diverse audiences, connecting generations and a country, socio-economically and politico-geographically, apart. Over the years, the genres have also evolved, with women achieving mainstream success in the 21st century, challenging the traditional male dominance. Notable names include Marília Mendonça, Paula Fernandes, Simone & Simaria, Elba Ramalho, and Nara Leão.
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