Country Music Association Awards

• But to me, the most important guest voice is the one least likely to be familiar to Beyoncé’s listeners: Linda Martell, the first commercially successful Black female country music artist.
• Two tracks on “Cowboy Carter,” “Spaghettii” and “The Linda Martell Show,” include spoken word commentary from Martell.
• By giving Martell a platform, Beyoncé simultaneously gives credit to her predecessor while staking her own place in the country music tradition.

‘A true feeling for a country lyric’

• Linda Martell’s rapid ascendancy to prominence as a country musician and her equally precipitous decline offer a lesson about the challenges Black artists faced in the 1970s.
• Born in South Carolina, Martell first began to sing as a child, forming a group with her sisters that performed R&B and gospel songs.

• Having recently released the hit “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me),” Pride was proving that Black country music artists could succeed.
• She went to Nashville, Tennessee, to record a country version of “Color Him Father,” a soul song by The Winstons that had hit No.
• She has a terrific style and a true feeling for a country lyric.” Martell’s success opened doors for her in Nashville.
• She was invited to join a host of country artists on tour, including Waylon Jennings and Hank Snow.

No margin for error

• Martell also faced thinly veiled racism from the people who were supposed to be promoting her career.
• Producer Shelby Singleton, who signed Martell, didn’t release “Color Me Country” on his SSI label, opting instead to record her on a subsidiary label, Plantation Records.
• With her record company promoting what essentially amounted to a one-hit wonder at her expense, Martell tried to switch labels.

Kicking open doors

• Brace yourself.
• But don’t give up.” Martell’s industry exile resonates with one element of “Cowboy Carter,” in particular.
• With “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé has triumphantly returned, kicking the doors open and marching through them with Martell proudly by her side, giving the 82-year-old country star the recognition that has long eluded her.

William Nash does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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• Lainey Wilson partners with Coors Light in 360-program including ad spots, retail, exclusive backstage access and more
  CHICAGO, Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, Coors Light is turning up the volume with an all-new, multi-year music partnership with country superstar Lainey Wilson, who was recently nominated for two 2024 Grammys including Country Album of the Year and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
• In the coming weeks, fans will also be able to shop exclusive limited-edition Coors Light and Wilson merch at LaineyWilson.com .
• "Lainey Wilson puts her own country spin on chill and we're pumped to join her on tour and wherever she is connecting with fans."
• "Hold my beer because I'm going on tour with Coors Light," said Lainey Wilson.

• TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CIRA is proud to announce its Listen to the goose advertising campaign has been awarded silver at the 2023 Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) Awards for Brand/Business Impact in the Business category.
• The annual CMA Awards celebrate the best in Canadian marketing, recognizing the work of top campaigns and marketers from across the country.
• “CIRA is proud to be awarded silver by the Canadian Marketing Association for our Listen to the goose advertising campaign, which was recognized among so many impactful campaigns in the Brand Impact, Business category.
• Bernard the Canada goose honked—and Canadians listened.” – Paul Sarkozy, Marketing Director, .CA by CIRA
  “Bernard the goose would also like to thank the CMA Awards for his silver.