Shania Twain's Powerful Plea for Inclusion in Country Music: "We're Family"
Country music icon Shania Twain used her acceptance speech at the CMT Awards to highlight a crucial issue facing the genre: equal play and diversity. The singer-songwriter emphasized that she never intended for her hit phrase "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" to become an empowering anthem, but its impact has been profound.
The phrase, which Twain wrote over two decades ago, has transcended its origins to become a unifying force across the globe. For Twain, it's a testament to the genre's power to bring people together. "It's amazing how one statement can empower so many," she said, reflecting on the phrase's enduring impact.
Twain is now using her platform to advocate for an all-inclusive country music scene. She believes that the industry standard of promoting artists based on traditional criteria such as age and race does a disservice to new voices and perspectives. "We're family," Twain emphasized. "This is a genre of music with a rich history that raised and nurtured my own songwriting and performance career from childhood."
As part of her efforts, Twain is spotlighting diverse artists on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and others. By showcasing these talented individuals, Twain hopes to create a more inclusive and equitable music industry.
Twain's message extends beyond the country music scene, with a broader call for artists across genres to prioritize diversity and equal play. As she puts it, "I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer...Together, let's ensure all our fellow artists get equal play regardless of gender, age or race."
Country music icon Shania Twain used her acceptance speech at the CMT Awards to highlight a crucial issue facing the genre: equal play and diversity. The singer-songwriter emphasized that she never intended for her hit phrase "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" to become an empowering anthem, but its impact has been profound.
The phrase, which Twain wrote over two decades ago, has transcended its origins to become a unifying force across the globe. For Twain, it's a testament to the genre's power to bring people together. "It's amazing how one statement can empower so many," she said, reflecting on the phrase's enduring impact.
Twain is now using her platform to advocate for an all-inclusive country music scene. She believes that the industry standard of promoting artists based on traditional criteria such as age and race does a disservice to new voices and perspectives. "We're family," Twain emphasized. "This is a genre of music with a rich history that raised and nurtured my own songwriting and performance career from childhood."
As part of her efforts, Twain is spotlighting diverse artists on her upcoming "Queen of Me" tour, including Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Mickey Guyton, and others. By showcasing these talented individuals, Twain hopes to create a more inclusive and equitable music industry.
Twain's message extends beyond the country music scene, with a broader call for artists across genres to prioritize diversity and equal play. As she puts it, "I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer...Together, let's ensure all our fellow artists get equal play regardless of gender, age or race."