Excitement is in the air as the 2021 CMT Awards creep closer and closer.
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As we prepare for a big, star-studded night recognizing the latest and greatest in Country music, it’s also important to spotlight those who took risks as underrepresented artists and paved a way for so many of the stars we love today.
CMT spotlights those artists each year with the CMT Equal Play Award, part of CMT’s Equal Play initiative, launched to fight for better female representation in Country music. This year’s award goes to South Carolina native, Linda Martell, in honor of her achievements as a Black woman in Country music in the 1970s.
Martell, who the first Black female solo country artist to perform on the Grand Ole Opry stage and is described by CMT as "arguably the most influential Black female artist in country music history," will be honored during Wednesday night’s show with the presentation of her award. Additionally, her music will be honored by artists including Mickey Guyton, Darius Rucker, Jennifer Nettles, Carrie Underwood, Rissi Palmer and Rhiannon Giddens.
“Linda Martell is a living legend who has influenced so many artists of color, giving them the courage and hope to pursue their dreams and a future reality of Equal Play in country music,” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President, Music & Talent, CMT. “Linda embodies the spirit of our ‘Equal Play’ initiative and we are proud to honor her with this prestigious award.”
Martell found success in 1969 when she signed a record deal and reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country singles chart with her cover of The Winstons’ hit R&B track, “Color Him Father.” The level of success she achieved was unheard of for a woman of color during that time and sadly, short-lived.
It wasn’t long before Martell experienced name-calling and racism while on stage, eventually leading her to be shunned from the industry and dropped from her label only a year after her initial signing with no hopes of finding another. As a result of the events, Martell moved back to South Carolina to be with family.
We are proud to see Martell get the recognition she deserves during Wednesday night’s show and look forward to the ways her story will inspire fans and artists to continue breaking barriers in the Country genre.
"Thank you, Linda, for being brave, fearless, talented and beautiful, and for putting yourself out there, even when it was difficult," shared Country singer and broadcaster Rissi Palmer, who named her podcast Color Me Country in honor of Martell. "I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award.”
The CMT Awards will air June 9 at 8 pm ET on CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network and TV Land.
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