Female Representation in Country Music

It is no secret the country music industry is male dominated. This doesn’t mean there is a lack of female artists; there is a lack of female artists represented in the industry.

Country radio is known to play a higher percentage of male artists’ songs. Mickey Guyton, a female country music artist shared an example of this on her Twitter after releasing her single ““Better Than You Left Me” in 2019. Guyton posted this to her Twitter page.

“The sad thing about this is when my song Better than you left me came out and was working and was going up the charts, I was told that country radio didn’t want to play 2 ballads by 2 females at the same time. So they played one girl and quit playing mine. It was heartbreaking.” — Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) December 19, 2019

This example shows radio was not willing to play female artists’ music and was very selective. They were not willing to go out of their way to support female artists and promote their music.

Over the 55 years of having the Country Music Association Awards (CMA’s), only seven female artists won the most influential Entertainer of the Year award. In the 2021 awards show, after promising to include gender equality, the Country Music Association had very few women nominated throughout all categories and none for Entertainer of the Year.

The country music industry is working towards representing women equally in the industry, but have a long way to go.

The Manitoba Country Music awards have multiple female artists nominated in almost every category. This is a great start for female representation in Manitoba, and I hope to see it continue and improve.

I hope that female artists not having equal representation in the industry isn’t a topic we are still talking about very soon. I will continue to watch the steps the industry takes moving forward for equal female representation.

Check out the blog next week, where we will unpack the Manitoba Country Music Awards virtual event.

Emma Peterson- Manitoba Emerging Artist

Local Manitoba country music artist Emma Peterson started playing music at 11 years old. She fell in love with songwriting and the aspect of storytelling through music.

Emma released two new singles earlier this year, “Hurt Like Hell” and “One More Night,” which are both very successful on Canadian country radio stations.

At the end of September, she played her first live show since the pandemic. Emma played a drive-in concert in Brandon, Manitoba. “It felt so good to play music again. As soon as I got up there with my band, everything fell into place.”

The most memorable moment of her career so far was singing at the Manitoba Country Music Awards for the first time. Her whole family was able to come see her perform. “When they are able to see me do what I love, it fills my heart.” You can watch her perform at this year’s MCMA on November 6. This year, Emma is up for two awards, Female Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Hurt Like Hell.”

The country music industry has a history of lacking female representation. As a female in the country music industry, Emma sees that the industry is definitely male dominant. “It’s no secret. People see it on the radio or at shows when a lineup is all males.”

She sees a big change happening where award shows are putting in more effort to include female artists, but there is still more work to be done. Emma has gotten a lot of support from radio, but she knows it isn’t the same case for everyone. She is grateful for the local female artists who took her under their wing at the start of
her career.

Emma’s goal is to do music full-time and record an album in the next few years.

I am looking forward to hearing new music from Emma Peterson soon and watching her performance at the Manitoba Country Music Awards!

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Upcoming Local Events

There are many local country concerts happening in the next few months.
Here is everything you need to know!

David James is performing for the Winnipeg Jet’s home opener afterparty at King’s Head Pub. The show is Oct. 21, 2021 at 10:00pm. Tickets are still available to purchase on eventbrite. General admission tickets start at $16 before tax and the VIP meet and greet package is $38 before tax.

Doc Walker is playing the Club Regent Event Centre on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 at 8:00pm. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster and range from $44-50 before tax.

The Washboard Union is playing the Club Regent Event Centre on Friday Nov. 12, 2021 at 7:00pm. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster and range from $45-50 before tax..

Dean Brody is coming to the Canada Life centre with High Valley and Winnipeg’s own Petric on November 20, 2021 at 7:00pm. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster and range from
$105-$83 before tax.

George Canyon is bringing Winnipeg “A Country Christmas” at the Club Regent Event Centre on Dec. 3, 2021 at 7:00pm. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster and range from $45-$50 before tax.

Tenille Townes is playing The Park Theatre on Sunday, December 12 at 7:00pm with Tim and The Glory Boys.. You can purchase tickets on ticketweb.

Some thing to keep in mind:

  • You need to be fully vaccinated to attend all of these events.
  • Masks are encouraged at all venues but may not be mandatory at all times
  • *For specific information reach out to your venue
  • If you are attending Canada Life Centre they have a new bag policy where only clutch or wallet size bags no larger than 12″x 6″x 3″. Expectations are made for people with medical and childcare needs.
  • Keep hand sanitizer and wipes to be as safe as possible.
  • Most importantly, have so much fun!!

For more information and clarity you can email juliannachubenko@countryslocal.ca.

New Song Alert- Kendra Kay

Kendra Kay- Homegrown Heart is out today.

An unexpected hockey injury became a trip down to Nashville and the start of a country music career.

Kendra Kay fell in love with the country music industry and opened her eyes to the possibilities of what she could do with music. “It was an exciting trip that sparked a passion,” said Kay.

With many Manitoba Country Music Awards to her name and a large discography of hit singles, Kendra has made a very successful career for herself.

Kendra Kay released her brand-new single Homegrown Heart today!

Kendra always gets asked, are you ever going to move to Nashville or Toronto, or the city, because you live in the middle of nowhere? Her new song Homegrown Heart is her answer to those questions.

Kendra grew up on a farm in Elkhorn, Manitoba. This song tells people why she wants to live out there and why Elkhorn, Manitoba is so special. The music video will be out in a few weeks, and was filmed on her farm with her horse, riding around the farm. “I am such a true farm girl at heart. I ride horses every day, I love being in the middle of nowhere, and it truly keeps me sane and grounded.”

The local aspect of her career is very important to her. In 2018 she played the halftime show for Banjo Bowl at the IG Field stadium. “If I never play a stadium show again, or if I play a thousand of them before my career is done, that will always be my favourite because it will always be my first stadium show.”

Photographed by Joey Senft

Her main goal for her music career was to hear herself on the radio, and everything else she has gotten to do is a bonus. “I think back to that 16-year-old girl who just wanted to hear herself on the country radio, and I have that,” said Kay.

Check out Kendra’s new song, Homegrown Heart, today!

What Country Music is to Me

Since I was young I have always gravitated towards the vulnerability of country music songwriting. I think vulnerability attracts me to songs because it takes you into an artist’s life and makes music easily relatable. The idea of an artist performing with just an acoustic guitar and their story is really what country music is to me.

Taylor Swift was the first country artist that left a lasting impact on me. Her songwriting is so descriptive and paints clear pictures, where each song feels like its own story. I have grown to appreciate the art of music and songwriting through her.

A local county music song that’s songwriting stands out to me is, You Can’t Always Be 21 by Don Amero. This song is about growing up and appreciating living in the moment. Everyone has those days where they are trying to figure life out, and this song celebrates those moments. This song really stands out to me because it is so relatable. Everyone can or will relate to this feeling at some point in their life, which makes a song so special.

I love a variety of country music and artists, but I find it is so important to support local artists. I can’t wait to be able to go to local concerts and events and feel the sense of community that is so strong. Through this blog, we will appreciate and celebrate local country music, artists, songwriting and events together as the country music community of Manitoba.

Check out my post next weekend about the release of a brand new single!

Local Country Music Awards

Manitoba Country Music Association Recognizes Local Talent

Manitoba has so much talent in the country music industry that deserves to be recognized.

The Manitoba Association of Country Arts was established in 1976 and in 2004 was renamed, The Manitoba Country Music Association (MCMA).

They have hosted the Manitoba Country Music Awards for five years with the goal to highlight Manitoba talent and recognize their work.

Without having the awards show last year, the anticipation for this year’s is high. Manitoba artists and fans cannot wait for the night that celebrates and honours local country music.

It will be a virtual event with live recordings of the artists performances, “it will be different, but will look the same,” said Miles Trach, president of the Manitoba Country Music Awards Board.

Ever wonder how your favourite artists get nominated and win awards? For the Manitoba Country Music Awards, fan and industry members can nominate artists they believe deserve an award. Once all the nominations are received, they pick the top six artists, that are later voted on by industry members. A category entirely voted by fans is the fan’s choice award.

Miles Trach says supporting local country music ” is vitally important for the health of the country music community in Manitoba and for the artists who are trying to make it a goal here in the province.”

The organization’s goal is to help the artists get recognition, support their careers and recognize their achievements.

You can watch this year’s Manitoba Country Music Awards on their Facebook and YouTube on November 6th and support all your favourite local country music artists.

Winnipeg’s Own Local Country Band- Petric

A flashback to where it all began

Transcona band Petric grew up surrounded by music with a passion for performing. The band of two brothers Jason and Tom Petric, and long-time friend Jordan Day made a name for themselves in 2014 with the single Here Goes Everything. Since then, they have had great success with their EP 18 Ends and debut album Flashbacks at the beginning of this year.

Petric has played many memorable local shows, but one that stands out to them is Canada Day at the Lyric Theatre in 2017.

“I don’t know if there is anything more magical than a beautiful night on July 1st with 20,000 people in the field singing your songs,” said Jason Petric.

Jordan Day, Tom Petric, Jason Petric, photograph by Lynsey Jordana

The song Single Problem off of Flashbacks is memorable for the band to play live, especially when the chorus hits and the crowd sings along.

They haven’t played a live show in about a year and a half and cannot wait to be able to sing their most recent songs off of Flashbacks for a live crowd.

Although there were no live shows this year, they managed to keep very busy with the release of Flashbacks and a music video for every song off the album.

The song that inspired the name for the album, Déjà Vu, was almost never released. After four years of holding onto the song, the band decided to add it to the album, and now it is one of their favourites. The release of this song opened up many doors for the band. Déjà Vu was their first song to radio in Australia and introduced them to a talented team who helped create the music video.

The pandemic allowed Petric to focus their time and energy on more music videos, market songs in other countries and put out the best possible content for the record.

“The pandemic offered us an opportunity to really reshape our band, hone in our team, and for that, honestly, I am pretty grateful for that opportunity,” said Jason Petric.

Petric has received a record-breaking amount of 12 nominations for the upcoming Manitoba Country Music Awards. You can vote for them in the fan’s choice category and check out their album and music videos from Flashbacks.