Fact: According to the Annenberg researchers, led by Stacy L. Smith, female country artists only make up 16% overall and female songwriters—just 12%.
Fact: On Billboard’s Country Airplay chart dated December 8th of last year, there were no women in the top 20 on mainstream country radio stations—the first time that had happened since 1990.
Fact: As of Thursday, May 30, 2019, the Billboard Country Airplay chart has two women in the top 20—Kelsea Ballerini with Miss Me More at #3 and Maren Morris with Girl at #10. There are currently 5 women in the top 40 and 6 in the top 60 if you add Pink’s new duet with Chris Stapleton.
Country music family, we’ve got a long way to go. And if you ask any female artist in Nashville, successful and struggling . . .. they are all feeling the effects. It is simply not enough and not acceptable.
Which is why it is so important that they write together, perform in rounds and shows together, and form tight knit relationships within the tight lipped industry borders.
And while most of the current headlining shows are dominated by men (Carrie Underwood’s Cry Pretty Tour being the main exception), smaller shows with all female lineups are popping up all over Nashville—and have been for a while. Events like CMT Next Women of Country and the Song Suffragettes are paving the way for the next class of incredible ladies, spearheaded by supporters like CMT’s Leslie Fram and “Fight Like A Girl” breakout artist, Kalie Shorr, respectively. Podcasts like Women Want to Hear Women with Nash Nights Live host Elaina Smith, are having candid conversations with today’s biggest forerunners about the industry dynamics.
And now, there is a new excitement buzzing in the air: Girls on the Rise. And the first show was Thursday, May 30, at the Analog inside the Hutton Hotel.
Songwriter and producer Craig Wilson knew Alyssa Trahan had something when she wrote the game changing song, “Because I Am A Girl.” Trahan’s newest tune echoes her passion for empowering women not just in the music industry, but in society period. With lyrics like “I’ve had to put up with a lot of inappropriate things/From unwanted stares and names called to touches above the knee/But if I say a word the blame would fall on me/ just because I am a girl”, Trahan’s creation of this song is what ultimately inspired the Girls on the Rise show and subsequent movement.
Trahan’s female cohorts feel the same way. And that is why good buddies Tiera, Ruthie Collins, Harper Grae, Lena Stone, and Maggie Baugh all jumped at the chance to show support and to make their own voices heard.
Alabama native turned recent Nashvillian Tiera stole Shania Twain’s attention this past year when Twain invited her to be a part of the USA Network’s Real Country. And if you were at the GOTR show, it’s easy to see why. Her peppy spirit can only be outdone by her pitch perfect, easy listening voice. And then there’s farmgirl Ruthie Collins, whose soulful, relaxed nature captures the attention of everyone in the room. It’s no wonder Curb Records signed her and CMT invited her into the 2017 Next Women of Country class. Harper Grae followed Collins and proved why she was recently named one of the “Top Ten Artists You Need to Know” by Rolling Stone Country. Her powerful delivery of her 2018 singles “Bloodline” and “Monster” gave us all chills in the middle of summer heat. Spitfire Lena Stone then brought the heat with three of the 600 songs she has penned since moving to Nashville—one of them being Shorr’s hit, “Fight Like A Girl” which makes total sense being that Stone is one of the creators of The Song Suffragettes. And what better way to end the night than with the animation of Maggie Baugh. Baugh’s knack for multiple instruments and high energy performances have quickly garnered her attention all over the country, allowing her to headline festivals and open for established artists like Kip Moore and Chris Lane.
These women all brought their A game Thursday night. Their gratitude, humility, hunger, dedication, and comradery sprinkled into the 21 and over audience like fairy dust. But it goes beyond that. These ladies know that they have a duty to lead by example to the smallest of hearts. They know that little girls are watching them—little girls who may one day grow up to be singers just like them. And even if they choose another career path, they are still being heavily influenced by women like The Girls on the Rise Group.
Which is exactly why Trahan and Wilson came up with the idea to partner with a respectable organization that also heavily influences young girls to be trailblazers. Enter Girls on The Run. GOTR in a nonprofit that teaches character development and life skills to 3rd-8th graders, in all 50 states. The goal is to be joyful, healthy, and confident thru running and other physical activities. Small groups of 8-15 ladies get together after school twice a week to exercise and learn life skills, such as how to manage emotions and how to resolve conflict. They even come up with their own community service project, whether it’s collecting items for the homeless or writing thank you notes for first responders. The season ends with the girls all running a noncompetitive 5K together, which in and of itself is extraordinary considering most don’t even have a track background and would never consider themselves “runners.”
“Each lesson during the 10 week curriculum has a topic that is social and emotional learning in subject matter. Those topics are taught thru running games. So with each lesson you’re building on a new emotional and social skill, but you’re also building laps and the amount of time you run so that by the end of the season, you are 5K ready, “ GOTR coordinator Tiffany told The Country Note before the show.
GOTR was started in Charlotte over 20 years ago and is now in all 50 states, where they serve over 200,000 girls annually. The Middle Tennessee Chapter has served nearly 4,000 young ladies in five counties since it’s conception in 2007.
So how did Girls on The Run run into Girls on The Rise?
“Alyssa and Craig reached out when they saw that we’re empowering girls at a young age to be bold, strong, confident, and go for their dreams. And they found synergy between that and women in the country music industry. They wanted to do something to help promote our organization while also shining a light on some amazing artists in the country music community. So, we thought it was a great fit and are happy to be a part of it, “Tiffany went on to say.
And we are so happy that The Country Note got to be a part of it too! Money from ticket sales was donated to this incredible organization as well as funds collected from an auction. If it’s one thing Nashville is great at, it’s giving back to our community! And this next generation of female artists will continue to pave the way, not just in talent and heartfelt songwriting, but in serving others.
If you missed this show, please follow Girls on the Rise on Instagram @girlsontherisenash and look for information on upcoming shows. You can also get involved with Girls on the Run by checking their socials out @gotrmidtn and visiting their website at www.gotrmiddletn.org.
Check out some photos from the event below: