A Few Good Moments in 2020

Dolly Parton saves the world
From donating a million dollars to Covid-19 research to supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, creating a successful meme, releasing a Christmas album and movie, and saving her 9-year-old costar from an oncoming car, Dolly Parton has proven she can do it all. The hero of 2020. President Barack Obama admitting, “that was a screw-up. I'm surprised. I think I assumed that she had already got one, and that was incorrect,” when asked about giving Dolly Parton a Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

Black artists receive more recognition, but far from enough 
In response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and all other black citizens taken from the police, the music industry participated in Blackout Tuesday. Dedicated to the education of and reconnecting to the Black community, the industry at large disconnected from work and social media on June 2nd. Listen to BIPOC artists in country music on our Voices of Color Playlist. 

Tanya Tucker wins her first Grammy
Forty-seven years after her first Grammy Awards nomination, Tanya Tucker wins Best Country Album for “While I’m Living” co-produced with Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings and Best Country Song for “Bring My Flowers Now.” Tucker once again proving she’s a legend in country music. 

Mickey Guyton makes history at the ACM Awards
At the 55th ACM Awards, Mickey Guyton made history as the first solo black female country artist to perform. Guyton performed “What Are you Gonna Tell Her?” about the challenges women and girls have to face in a male-dominated world. 

Apple Music announces Apple Music Country Radio
Country music radio has let us down time and time again, but Apple Music hasn’t. Creating a platform for every lane of this increasingly diverse genre, Apple Music Country reaches every target market. With incredible hosts including Rissi Palmer, Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Tiera, and Kelly McCartney, listeners will be able to discover artists they’ve never heard before and hear their stories. 

Carrie Underwood wins Entertainer of the Year at the ACMs, finally
Although ending in a tie with Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood took home the award for Entertainer of the Year at the ACM Awards. Carrie is the first female to win the award since Taylor Swift in 2012. 

Two albums from Taylor Swift and Kelsea Ballerini 
Success in 2020 looks different for everyone. It could mean putting on jeans or in the case of Kelsea Ballerini and Taylor Swift it could be releasing two albums in the same year. Ballerini released her album “kelsea” in March. The album was then re-recorded in September when she released “ballerini.” Commenting, “Kelsea is glitter: bold and effervescent and dreams that are boundless. She’s who I want to be. While Ballerini is emotional, vulnerable, soft: observes her surroundings and chooses her words carefully. She’s who I am.” An even more impressive feat Taylor Swift released two albums in 2020, 31 songs in total noting Swift’s age. Both album’s debuting at number one. 

The Chicks return after fourteen years
After being shutout of the country music industry, The Chicks returned with the release of “Gaslighter.” The album reflects the times and their support of equality. The Chicks also dropped “Dixie” from their name in late June of this year. They did this because they wanted to be conscious of the negative connotations that the word has and the historical meaning that it represents. 
 
Honorable mentions: 

• Jennifer Nettles earns the first-ever Equal Play Award at the CMT Music Awards
• Maren Morris leaves the world “Better Than We Found It” 
• Nashville celebrates 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the opportunity to vote. 
• All the new albums and EPs from the women of country including Ashley McBryde, Caylee Hammack, Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Tenille Townes, Tenille Arts, Carrie Underwood, Kalie Shorr, Mickey Guyton, Cam, Ingrid Andress, Lauren Alaina, Margo Price, Caitlyn Smith and many more! 

 
Author: Nicole Marchesi