CMT Artists of the Year Celebrates Women

The Country Music Television Artists of the Year special was dedicated to and honored women country music singers. Modern women country artists like Carrie Underwood and Sheryl Crow honored country women pioneers singing songs by artists like Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn. This country music special is a sharp change from many other awards shows and specials which typically exclusively focus on men country singers and only honor their achievements in the music industry. Women country music artists have faced challenges succeeding and getting their music played in the industry which was particularly obvious after a music executive compared women country artists to tomatoes showing the sexism and misogyny in the industry. Women’s voices are frequently silenced in country music and specials like CMT Artists of the Year helps shine the spotlight and give representation to a group that is otherwise sidelined in the industry. It is an example of how other forms of media and entertainment should give groups that are traditionally absent platforms so that their voices can be heard.