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For its annual Artists of the Year Award, Country Music Television is focused solely on women this year, and the performances of the seven recipients on Wednesday night – including Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris and Kelsea Ballerini – have left no doubt about the level of talent today among women in country music.
In fact, after a night full of breathtaking performances, there was only one question left: why are not there more women on the radio?
There is no doubt that there is a "woman problem" on the radio and CMT has chosen to daringly present this antidote in its live broadcast broadcast from the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville.
As Underwood said when she accepted her award at the end of the evening, "I absolutely want to tell all the incredible, unbelievable and talented women who have been on this stage tonight, you do not want to say". are not here because you are women. You are here because you are dang good. "
But as moving as the performances are, the show proves to be as much a protest and an impatient call for parity as a celebration of talent.
"I just want to say to CMT, thank you for being the one who turned the conversation into action tonight," said Ballerini in his acceptance.
When Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town, the recipient of her girlfriend Kimberly Schlapman, accepted her award, she took out her mobile phone. "It looks rude," she told the audience, "but it will not be."
She then read the names of more than 30 young female artists, most of whom have not yet made the league in their country. They were all there, sitting in silent testimony on either side of the stage. Some wiped tears as Fairchild and Schlapman stopped to shake their hands as they left the stage.
Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman from Little Big Town.
Rick Diamond / Getty Image
The statements videotaped by the recipients, presented during an interlude during the evening, were aimed directly at the broadcasters.
"I do not know why they do not play women on country radio," Lambert said.
"They say women do not want to hear women," added Morris. "I will have to call BS about this because I grew up listening to women. That's why I'm here today.
"It's the moment," said Ballerini, waving an imaginary wand. "Trend change."
Even the performances were sometimes subversive. In her mix of successful big women, Underwood has undeniably turned around the phrase "Stand By Your Man" by Tammy Wynette, highlighting the word "fair" in the lyrics: "After all, it's just that. A man. "
Morris and the folk rocker Brandi Carlile burst into the "Natural Woman" tribute to the late Aretha Franklin, but singing her, they transformed Carole King's sensual words into a testimony of the power of fraternity.
Brandi Carlile and Maren Morris.
Rick Diamond / Getty Image
Do not think that the message of the evening did not hit the house, especially to the men who honored the stage. All were there to support women in praise or singing.
Lady A's Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood remained amazed in front of their group mate, Hillary Scott, with pop artist Tori Kelly, starring Lady A's success, "American Honey," and the blockbuster. Never Alone "Kelly. Franklin, joined the two women at the end to embark on a euphoric "Oh Happy Day".
"I really hope that Hillary will not create a band called Lady and Lady because it's phenomenal," said Charles Kelley before he and Haywood hand over his award to Scott. "We are so lucky to be in this group with you. We love you so much. I mean, it was just the evidence there. You are a bad ass. "
Tori Kelly and Hillary Scott.
Al Wagner / Invision / AP / REX / Shutterstock
Jimi Westbrook and Philip Sweet of Little Big Town expressed the same wonder after Fairchild and Schlapman multiplied their vocal power with Gladys Knight, Motown's great power. Together, the three women found resilience in two classic songs of despair, "I can not make you love" and "Help me spend the night."
"Thanks to these two incredible women, Kimberly and Jimi's wife, Karen, we were able to make a living together by making music," Sweet said in his introduction, acknowledging that Schlapman and Fairchild were the group's founders.
"I consider it a blessing to be able to share the stage every night and make music with these two smart, strong and beautiful women," added Westbrook.
Ballerini and his duet partner, Alison Krauss, 27-time Grammy Award winner, have exercised their own power over Ghost's classic Ghost in This House, whose voices blend into a haunting harmony.
ASSOCIATED VIDEO: Kelsea Ballerini unveils her new single "Sassy" "Miss Me More"
In her award, Ballerini acknowledged the support she received from other women at the launch of her career, from Shania Twain and Taylor Swift to Reba McEntire and "Alison-freaking-Krauss".
"I think what I've learned from this is how important it is to stand up, support each other and share our stage, regardless of its size," Ballerini said.
Kelsea Ballerini.
Al Wagner / Invision / AP / REX / Shutterstock
Unfortunately, the only disappointment of the evening was the absence of the country legend Loretta Lynn, recipient of the CMT Artist of a Lifetime Award. 86-year-old remains in poor health after a stroke and fractured hip in the past 18 months, but her career strength has continued of the evening.
LIAISON: Loretta Lynn, 86, talks about her stroke and her fall: "I did not leave to let her stop"
"She paved the way and showed us all how that went," said Miranda Lambert, a fan of always, in her introduction to Lynn's musical tribute, starring Martina McBride, Sheryl Crow and Dierks Bentley. "She showed us how to pursue our dreams and express our spirit."
So it was natural that Sissy Spacek, who won an Academy Award for best actress in which she played Lynn in "Coal Miner's Daughter", replaced her friend and idol with the trophy.
"I loved playing Loretta in Coal miner's daughterSaid Spacek. "I just loved being her. I had the group. I had the bus. I had the clothes. But I think we can all agree that there is only one Loretta Lynn.
Sissy Spacek.
Al Wagner / Invision / AP / REX / Shutterstock
Spacek said that she had visited Lynn earlier in the day "and that she was so excited about this award."
"From the moment we met, she was my cheerleader" – an emotional Spacek stopped to recollect – "my sister, my best friend, and it's still like that almost 40 years more later. It is an honor for me to accept his award. "
These words have raised the public for a sustained ovation, but Spacek has not finished yet.
"Well done, Loretta, well done," she added before going back to the theme of the evening: "I think Loretta said it best:" It's about the time when we have recognized women. "
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