MORGAN WALLEN

The pushback comes after a video surfaced of the American country music singer using a racial slur back in February 2021.

The Grand Ole Opry, country music's most historic and storied stage, is getting heavy criticism for an appearance by the country star. Wallen made an unannounced appearance on the Opry, which has been broadcasting for nearly 100 years, to sing with ERNEST. This time the criticism centered more on the silent signaling by the Opry than Wallen himself. In 2021, writer Holly G started a blog called the Black Opry to create a home for Black artists and fans. She met with the Opry’s talent director with a proposal to host a show next month for Black History Month in conjunction with the Black Opry.

The Grand Ole Opry, country music's most historic and storied stage, is getting heavy criticism for an appearance by troubled country star Morgan Wallen.

Morgan Wallen’s performance at the Opry drew plenty of criticism, including from fellow musician Jason Isbell.

Last February Wallen was recorded yelling the N-word on a night out, though his album rose to be a top-seller that year.

Music-2021 Chart Toppers This combination of album covers shows "30" by Adele, left, and “Dangerous: The Double Album,” by Morgan Wallen. (Columbia Records, left, and Big Loud Records-Republic Records via AP) (Uncredited)NEW YORK — (AP) — New data from the music industry confirms what a lot of people long suspected — 2021 was a very good year for Morgan Wallen, Adele and vinyl. That's despite Wallen being rebuked by the music industry after a video surfaced showing him blurting out a racial slur. Adele's album “30” arrived late last year and she recorded the highest album sales debut in four years, with first-week sales of 839,000 equivalent units. Drake's "Certified Lover Boy" was 2021's most popular rap album in the U.S., with 1.97 million equivalent album units earned.

Albums by Wallen and Adele were the top sellers of 2021, according to MRC Data and Billboard's annual tally. Other findings: audio on-demand streaming soared, and sales of vinyl outpaced CDs.

New data from the music industry confirms what a lot of people long suspected — 2021 was a very good year for Morgan Wallen, Adele and vinyl.

People’s Sexiest Man Alive of 2021 Paul Rudd has been inducted into the vaunted Five-Timers Club on “Saturday Night Live,” but the surging omicron variant of the coronavirus meant there was no live audience to see it happen.

The four Scandinavian septuagenarians are up for their first ever Grammy nomination for their comeback song “I Still Have Faith In You.” Perhaps grandparents and grandchildren will have something to bond over at this year's Grammy Awards. But a more surprising snub is BTS' “Butter," a megahit of the summer from the Korean band, but their only Grammy nod this year came in the best pop dup/group performance category. Of course, when the duo is 11-time Grammy winner Bruno Mars and four-time Grammy winner Anderson .Paak, special attention must be paid. The duo earned four nominations including record of the year, song of the year, best R&B song and best R&B performance. DMX earned a Grammy nomination for best rap song for “Bath Salts," featuring Jay-Z and Nas, which was released after his death earlier this year.

Retirees are ruling the roost in this year's Grammy nominations in the record of the year category.

He's also going up against Rodrigo in the artist of the year category along with BTS, Ariana Grande, Drake and Taylor Swift. She is nominated for three awards total, including favorite pop album for “evermore.”The AMAs added new categories this year, including favorite trending song, favorite gospel artist and favorite Latin duo or group. Rapper Pop Smoke, who was killed in 2020, is nominated in three categories, including favorite hip-hop album and favorite hip-hop artist, and could win his first award posthumously. If Rodrigo wins a majority of the awards she is nominated for, that would put her in good company. Olivia Newton-John and Justin Bieber are tied for four awards won in their first year nominated.

South Korean superstars BTS were crowned artist of the year at the American Music Awards on Sunday, brushing aside challenges from Taylor Swift, Drake and The Weeknd as they took home a total of three awards.

“I have hosted other awards shows,” Bryan told his “Idol” co-hosts, pretending to be surprised after they sneaked up on him. They'll be going toe-to-toe all night with nominations in the same five categories, including entertainer of the year, male vocalist of the year, and album of the year. Either she or Lambert would be the first woman to win the award since Taylor Swift in 2011. Kane Brown and Chris Young will sing their duet "Famous Friends," which is nominated in three categories. Other performers include the Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, and Mickey Guyton with Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards.

Just days before the CMA Awards, artists, academics and historians gathered in Nashville to address racial representation within the genre.

Music CMA Awards FILE - Chris Stapleton performs at the 2018 Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Stapleton is one of the top nominees and will also perform at the CMA Awards, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. (Photo by Al Wagner/Invision/AP, File) (Al Wagner)NASHVILLE, Tenn. — (AP) — Chris Stapleton and Eric Church are the top nominees, Luke Combs could be in for a big night, and all three will take the stage to perform Wednesday at the CMA Awards. The 55th annual CMA Awards, telecast on ABC and hosted by Luke Bryan, will represent a return to normal for the show. Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, the most nominated female artist in CMAs history, are also both up for entertainer of the year. Other performers include the Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, and Mickey Guyton with Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards.

Chris Stapleton won the most trophies, but Luke Combs won the biggest one at the Country Music Association Awards.

Music-AMA Nominations FILE - Olivia Rodrigo performs "Good 4 U" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 12, 2021, in New York. If Rodrigo wins a majority of the awards she is nominated for, that would put her in good company. She is nominated for three awards total, including favorite pop album for “evermore.”The AMAs added new categories this year, including favorite trending song, favorite gospel artist and favorite Latin duo or group. Rapper Pop Smoke, who was killed in 2020, is nominated in three categories, including favorite hip-hop album and favorite hip-hop artist, and could win his first award posthumously. His 2021 album His "Dangerous: The Double Album" spent 10 consecutive weeks on the top of the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, despite the controversy over his comments.

Olivia Rodrigo is having a sweet year as the leading nominee at the American Music Awards in her first year to be eligible.

BURBANK, Calif. — (AP) — Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. spoke to The Associated Press about efforts to make the Grammy's more inclusive. Despite the acts attached to Kelly, Mason said the singer’s three Grammys will remain with him for now. But we’ll take a good look at it and see.”Only one trophy has been revoked in the 62-year history of the Grammys, according to the Recording Academy. Wallen garnered several nominations at the upcoming Country Music Association Awards — where he was nominated for the prestigious album of the year — and Billboard Music Awards, but he was not invited to either show. The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards will move from a TV network to stream on Amazon Prime Video next year.

Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy was interviewed by The Associated Press on efforts to make the Grammys more inclusive.

Sheeran said he is self-isolating and shared how he will fulfill his scheduled appearances.

CMA Awards - Entertainer of the Year This combination of photos shows nominees for the CMA Award for entertainer of the year, from left, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood. In nominations announced on Thursday, Stapleton leads with seven nominations including male vocalist, album of the year, single and song of the year, and two additional nominations as a producer both on his album and single. Church, who put out a three-part album in April collectively called “Heart & Soul," earned five nominations. The CMA Awards will air on Nov. 10 on ABC. Despite having a string of multiplatinum country hits, like “What Ifs" and “Heaven," this is the first-ever CMA nominations for Brown.

Country stars Chris Stapleton and Eric Church will go toe-to-toe with each other at this year’s Country Music Association Awards, vying in the same top five categories.

Country legend Loretta Lynn and embattled singer Morgan Wallen are rallying musician friends for two benefit concerts for Tennessee flood relief.

Music-Morgan Wallen FILE - Morgan Wallen arrives at the 53rd annual CMA Awards on Nov. 13, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Wallen said it was ignorant of him to use a racial slur. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) (Evan Agostini)NASHVILLE, Tenn. — (AP) — In his first interview in six months, disgraced country star Morgan Wallen said it was ignorant of him to use a racial slur. He was disqualified from the Academy of Country Music Awards, but remains eligible for several awards at the upcoming Country Music Association Awards. “I don’t know how to put myself in their shoes because I’m not, you know, but I do understand," Wallen said. When asked if country music overall had a problem with race, Wallen responded, “It would seem that way, yeah.

Disgraced country star Morgan Wallen said it was ignorant of him to use a racial slur.

2021 Billboard Music Awards DJ Khaled, front left, and H.E.R., front right, perform with Takeoff, from background left, Quavo and Offset, of Migos, at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, May 23, 2021, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (Chris Pizzello)LOS ANGELES — The star-studded 2021 Billboard Music Awards have wrapped, and The Weeknd was the night’s big winner, taking “Top Male Artist,” “Top R&B Artist” and “Top Radio Song,” among other accolades. Hosted by Nick Jonas from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Sunday’s spectacular also saw P!nk honored with the 2021 “Icon” award. 3 Part 1” – WINNER• Maverick City Music, “Maverick City Vol. -- (Photo by Todd Williamson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images via Getty Images) (Todd Williamson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Morgan Wallen takes 3 Billboard Music Awards for 2021 Embattled country artist Morgan Wallen won big at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, despite not being allowed to attend, present, perform or accept any actual accolades during the Sunday, May 23, 2021, ceremony from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (John Shearer/Getty Images for Ryman Auditorium)LOS ANGELES — Embattled country artist Morgan Wallen won big at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, despite not being allowed to attend, present, perform or accept any actual accolades from the primetime ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Radio stations, including those owned by iHeartMedia, Entercom and Cumulus Media, removed Wallen’s music from their playlists, Entertainment Tonight reported. The “7 Summers” singer beat out country’s most nominated act of the night, Gabby Barrett, as well as Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Chris Stapleton for Top Country Artist. Wallen’s wins were announced as part of the Instagram Live portion of the awards program, which aired earlier Sunday.

The Billboard Music Awards announced before Sunday's show that banned Morgan Wallen won top country honors despite being banned from the show.

It was a family affair at the Billboard Music Awards: Pink twirled in the air in a powerful performance with her daughter, and Drake was named artist of the decade, accepting the honor alongside his 3-year-old son.

CMA Awards-Morgan Wallen FILE - Morgan Wallen arrives at the 53rd annual CMA Awards on Nov. 13, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Wallen will still be eligible for multiple awards at this year's CMA Awards, but not the show's top prize. The Country Music Association's Board of Directors voted that Wallen won't be eligible for individual artist awards, such as entertainer of the year and male vocalist. The album has remained among Billboard's top 5 albums for 18 weeks in a row, far surpassing any other country album release. Awards shows have been mixed in how they respond to Wallen's actions, as well as his career achievements. Other awards shows like the Academy of Country Music Awards and the CMT Music Awards disqualified him entirely.

Country singer Morgan Wallen will be eligible for multiple awards at this year's CMA Awards, but not the show's top prize.

Country singer Morgan Wallen surprised a Nashville crowd with his first performance since being embroiled in a racial scandal.

CMT Music Awards-Nominations Miranda Lambert performs at the 53rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on April 15, 2018, left, and Maren Morris performs at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn. on June 15, 2019. Lambert and Morris are the leading nominees for the 2021 CMT Music Awards. (AP Photo) (Uncredited)NASHVILLE, Tenn. — (AP) — Former tourmates Miranda Lambert and Maren Morris are the leading nominees for the 2021 CMT Music Awards, celebrating the best in country music videos. “After removing Morgan Wallen from our platforms earlier this year, his videos were deemed ineligible for the 2021 CMT Music Awards,” CMT said in a statement. This is Brown's second consecutive year hosting the CMT Music Awards, while this is Ballerini's first.

Former tourmates Miranda Lambert and Maren Morris are leading nominees with four each for the 2021 CMT Music Awards, celebrating the best in country music videos.

"7 Summers" singer Morgan Wallen is no longer invited to participate in the Billboard Music Awards due to his "recent conduct" despite having earned six nominations.

The Weeknd was snubbed by the Grammys but he’s the leading nominee at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, where rappers Pop Smoke and Juice WRLD earned multiple posthumous nominations, including top artist.

Carrie Underwood brought the Academy of Country Music Awards to church.

Morris and Stapleton lead the nominations for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards. The academy announced on Friday that Morris and Stapleton both had six nominations ahead of the April 18 awards show, which will air on CBS from Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton are the leading nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards, but only Stapleton joined the all-male ballot for the top prize of entertainer of the year. The academy announced on Friday that Morris and Stapleton both had six nominations ahead of the April 18 awards show, which will air on CBS from Nashville, Tennessee. AdMiranda Lambert, who is already the most nominated artist in ACM history, stretched her streak with five nominations.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country star Luke Combs has apologized for appearing with Confederate flags, saying he is now aware of how painful that flag is. Combs addressed the images during a conversation with singer Maren Morris on Wednesday during a panel for radio broadcasters about accountability in country music. He also wanted to encourage more people in the country music industry to have those hard conversations. Morris also spoke about the Confederate flag, saying that as a native Texan, she also didn't fully understand the history and context of the flag outside of just “Southern pride" until she was a teenager. She said that seeing that flag being flown at country music festivals makes her not want to play those festivals and urged country artists to demand those flags be removed.

"I think most people perceive that country music is extremely conservative, and I'm not sure that's true. Gill is one of the most distinguished country artists with 21 Grammy awards, the most of any male country artist. He said he was nervous and hesitant to speak out initially, but it is something that country artists should do more. "He's out there alone on this, I mean as a major artist in country music," Mason said. "Is country music ready for this conversation?"

FILE - Morgan Wallen arrives at the 54th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas. Wallen fans are buying up his latest album after he appeared on a video shouting a racial slur. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country star Morgan Wallen asked fans not to downplay the racist language he was caught saying on camera and said that he accepted the punishments he faced. TMZ posted a video last week of Wallen saying a racial slur and Wallen apologized at the time. It is the first country album to spend four weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart since 2003, when Shania Twain’s album “Up!” spent five weeks at the top.

FILE - Morgan Wallen arrives at the 54th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 7, 2019, in Las Vegas. Wallen fans are buying up his latest album after he appeared on a video shouting a racial slur. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)NASHVILLLE, Tenn. – Fans of Morgan Wallen are buying up the country star's latest album after a video showed him shouting a racial slur last week. Billboard reports that his latest album sold 25,000 copies during the week ending Feb. 4, an increase of 102%, according to MRC Data. His album was already setting streaming records and is the first country album to spend four weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart since 2003, when Shania Twain's album “Up!"

Country star Morgan Wallen faces industry backlash after he's caught on video using racial slur Country artist Morgan Wallen has apologized after a new video obtained by TMZ shows him using a racial slur. Wallen's record label suspended his recording contract indefinitely, major radio groups have stopped playing his music and the Academy of Country Music says he is no longer eligible for the upcoming awards ceremony. His Nashville peers like Maren Morris and Mickey Guyton are also denouncing his behavior. Vladimir Duthiers reports.

Country star Morgan Wallen has apologized after a video surfaced showed him shouting a racial slur. The video, which was first published by TMZ on Tuesday night, showed him outside a home in Nashville, Tennessee yelling profanities. "I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back. A spokesperson for radio giant iHeartMedia told The Tennessean they had removed Wallen's music from rotation. CMT said it was removing Wallen's performances on all its platforms in light of the racial slur.

Wallen has apologized after a video surfaced showed him shouting a racial slur. (AP Photo/Sanford Myers, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country star Morgan Wallen has been suspended indefinitely from his label and seen his music pulled by radio stations and streaming services Wednesday after video surfaced of him shouting a racial slur. We keep them rich and protected at all costs with no recourse.”Other music stars have faced backlash for using racial slurs or derogatory language. Justin Bieber apologized in 2014 for using a racial slur joke in a video from when he was a teenager. “I feel like it set a trip cord that never existed in country music for racial behavior,” said Dowling.

Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Shia LaBeouf co-stars as her partner and Ellen Burstyn gets a meaty supporting role as her mother. “Pieces of a Woman” is not for the faint of heart but in the trauma, there is catharsis too. It’s loosely based on Davidson’s own life and childhood loss and the comedian gets a co-writing credit, too. It adds to the anticipation of his sophomore album, “Dangerous: The Double Album,” to be released Friday.

He said music from his fifth studio album “Changes” was wrongly viewed as a pop album, rather than an R&B project. “I set out to make an R&B album,” he wrote on Instagram. It is not being acknowledged as an R&B album, which is very strange to me.”Bieber was nominated in the categories for best pop solo performance, best pop duo/group performance, best pop vocal album and best country duo/group performance. The singer said he loves pop music, but he wants to be respected for his work. “I grew up admiring R&B music and wished to make a project that would embody that sound,” he said.

And it earned him his first Grammy nomination in six years. 3 spot on the pop charts — is up for best rap song and best rap performance. And Anderson .Paak's “Lockdown," about police brutality and racial injustice, is up for best melodic rap performance and best music video. JAY-Z, THE SONGWRITERS, SHINESHappy wife, happy life: Jay-Z has lent his songwriting hand to his wife Beyoncé and he's earned Grammy nominations for it. PAUL McCARTNEY, THE ART DIRECTORPaul McCartney scored his 79th Grammy nominations this year — as an art director.

Others who may earn nominations include Lewis Capaldi, Summer Walker, Morgan Wallen, Doja Cat, BLACKPINK, Ingrid Andress, Snoh Aalegra, Skip Marley, Mickey Guyton and CNCO. Ricch should also earn nominations for his guest appearance on DaBaby’s international hit “Rock Star,” helping him become the show’s overall top nominee. ________FOLKS LOVE FOLKLORETaylor Swift’s last two albums, “Lover” and “reputation,” didn’t earn nominations for album of the year. The seven-member group’s hit “Dynamite” could snag a nomination for best pop duo/group performance, and their latest album could compete for best global music album. 3 on pop charts, should earn a nomination for best country performance and best country song.

In this video image provided by CMT, Carrie Underwood accepts the female of the year award for Drinking Alone during the Country Music Television awards airing on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (CMT via AP)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carrie Underwood already had the most CMT Music Awards of any artist, but she'll need to make more room on her shelf. The superstar picked up two more trophies for video of the year and female video of the year in a remotely shot awards show. "I am so proud to be a part of this legacy of women in country music with you. Singer Granger Smith won for his on-the-nose music video called “Don't Cough On Me!"

NEW YORK – Jack White will be the last-minute replacement musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” after country singer Morgan Wallen was dropped for breaking COVID-19 protocols. Wallen was removed as musical guest on Thursday after TikTok videos showed him partying last weekend without a mask on among a large group of people. Lorne Michaels announced White as a fill-in Friday on the “Today” show. “Saturday Night Live,” which will be hosted this Saturday by comedian Bill Burr, resumed live in-studio shows last weekend with a smaller live audience. Guests were required to take a COVID-19 test and temperature check at arrival, and wear masks inside the building.

LOS ANGELES – Morgan Wallen has been dropped from performing on “Saturday Night Live” after breaking the show’s COVID-19 protocols. The country singer posted a two-plus minute video on social media Wednesday about the show’s decision. He apologized after he was shown on TikTok socializing maskless at a crowded bar and house party this past weekend in Alabama. The 27-year-old Wallen said his actions were “short-sighted” and has affected his long-term goals and dreams. Wallen said he has not tested positive for the coronavirus.

This cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alicia" the latest release by Alicia Keys. The album, out Friday, features several guest stars, including Jill Scott, Miguel, Khalid, Snoh Aalegra, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote the single Underdog. (RCA Records via AP)

This cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alicia" the latest release by Alicia Keys. The album, out Friday, features several guest stars, including Jill Scott, Miguel, Khalid, Snoh Aalegra, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote the single Underdog. (RCA Records via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. It lands on HBO and HBO Max on Saturday at 8 p.m.— AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC— Piano-playing pop star Alicia Keys is putting out her seventh album on Friday. — Kim Cattrall is at the center of Fox’s “Filthy Rich,” a prime-time soap opera loaded with money and betrayal that debuts 9 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 21.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. The Academy of Country Music Awards will feature performances by Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Mickey Guyton and Morgan Wallen, all from the Grand Ole Opry House. Riley Green won new male artist of the year and Tenille Townes won new female artist of the year. The Bluebird Cafe will host performances by Jimmie Allen, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert featuring songwriters Natalie Hemby and Luke Dick, and Tim McGraw. And Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, and Thomas Rhett featuring Jon Pardi will put on their shows from the Ryman. Keith Urban will host the show from the Grand Ole Opry House.

This combination photo shows, from left, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert, who were nominated for Entertainer of the Year for the 54th Annual CMA Awards on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020.

The CMAs announced Tuesday that Lambert earned seven nominations. She's followed by Luke Combs, who continues his streak of success as one of country musics biggest streaming artists with six nominations, including his first for entertainer of the year. Combs earned his first all-genre No. Carrie Underwood joins Combs and Lambert in the entertainer of the year category, along with Keith Urban and Eric Church. Other top nominees include Maren Morris, who scored five nominations including song and single of the year for her love song, The Bones."

NEW YORK Apple Music is launching several new radio shows hosted by A-list musical acts, including Snoop Dogg, Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood. The streaming service announced that it will debut two new radio stations Tuesday: Apple Music Hits, focused on popular songs of the 80s, 90s and 2000s, as well as Apple Music Country, dedicated to the country music genre. Both channels will have daily on-air hosts but will also include several shows hosted by well-known musicians. Apple Music Hits will include shows hosted by Snoop Dogg, Twain, Alanis Morissette, Backstreet Boys, Meghan Trainor, Ciara, blink-182s Mark Hoppus and Huey Lewis. Apple Music also announced Tuesday that its popular Beats 1 radio station featuring shows hosted by Billie Eilish, Elton John and Lil Wayne will be renamed to Apple Music 1.

This combination of photos shows country singer Rissi Palmer, from left, Chuck Harmony, left, and Claude Kelly of Louis York and country rapper Breland. Black artists say the country music industry still needs to do the hard work of addressing the systematic racial barriers that have been entrenched in country music for decades. The genre has historically been marketed to white audiences and reinforced white male artist stereotypes. (Chris Charles via AP, left, Jeremy Ryan via AP, center and Paul R. Giunta/Invision/AP)

Black artists say the country music industry still needs to do the hard work of addressing the systematic racial barriers that have been entrenched in country music for decades. I was called colored, like, I didnt know colored people like country music, said Palmer, who had three singles reach the Hot Country Songs Chart. Both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association started diversity task forces more than a year ago when country music was being criticized for a lack of female voices and women were being left out of major categories like entertainer of the year. But just as country artists outwardly reflect a predominantly white image, there are few Black country music executives working behind the scenes. Theres a dismantling of culture that needs to happen.Palmer, who is recording a podcast that focuses on the experiences of women of color in country music, said she feels optimistic that the current discussions about race and country music can lead to progress, if real changes are implemented.