Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-07**Lead**
NASHVILLE — Country singer Elle King told a podcast audience this week that Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood “should get a ribbon” simply for surviving and thriving in a country music industry that remains heavily skewed toward male artists. The remarks, which quickly went viral on social media, have reopened a long-running debate about gender equity in Nashville’s recording studios, radio playlists, and major festival stages.
**Contexto**
During an appearance on the “Biscuits & Jam” podcast, King — whose 2021 hit “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” reached No. 1 on country radio — was asked about the challenges female artists face in the genre. “I look at Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood and I’m like, you guys should get a ribbon just for making it through this,” she said. “It is so hard out there. It is still a boys’ club. It’s gotten better than when Dolly Parton started, but not by enough.”
King’s comments arrive against a backdrop of persistent data showing that country radio stations consistently favor male artists. A 2023 study by the University of Ottawa’s Media Observatory, analyzing the top 100 country radio songs of the previous year, found that only 16% were performed by women. The same study noted that women in country music are more likely to be relegated to “duets with men” or mid-day time slots rather than prime morning or drive-time hours.
Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood represent two of the most commercially successful female country artists of the 21st century. Lambert, a Texas native who rose to fame after finishing third on “Nashville Star” in 2003, has won three Grammy Awards and multiple Country Music Association (CMA) and Academy of Country Music (ACM) honors. Underwood, winner of “American Idol” season four in 2005, has sold more than 85 million records worldwide, won seven Grammys, and headlined multiple sold-out tours. Yet both artists have spoken publicly about the uphill battle women face in country music, from limited radio airplay to being told to dress “sexier” or “softer” to fit the market.
**Analise**
King’s candid remark, while humorous in tone, underscores a structural issue that has drawn increasing attention from researchers, journalists, and fans. In 2018, country radio consultant Keith Hill infamously told an industry publication that radio stations should play no more than “one female out of every three songs” because women are “the tomatoes of the salad” — an analogy that sparked widespread outrage. Although Hill later apologized, the remark illustrated a prevailing mindset that continues to influence programming decisions.
The disparity is not limited to radio. Major country music festivals — such as Stagecoach in California and the CMA Fest in Nashville — have faced criticism for lineups that feature predominantly male headliners. In 2024, female artists accounted for just 30% of the performers at Stagecoach, despite the festival expanding its stages and adding more diverse acts. The Recording Academy and the Country Music Association have introduced diversity initiatives, but progress remains slow.
Former U.S. Representative and country music fan Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) weighed in on the discussion during a recent interview, acknowledging that while the industry has made strides, “there is still work to be done to ensure that female voices are heard equally on the airwaves.” Blackburn’s comments highlight the political dimension of the issue: country music is not only a cultural force but also a significant economic driver in states like Tennessee, Texas, and Kentucky, where lawmakers have occasionally introduced legislation aimed at promoting gender parity in state-funded arts programs.
**Fontes**
- Biscuits & Jam podcast, episode featuring Elle King, released October 4, 2026. - University of Ottawa Media Observatory, “Gender Representation on Country Radio: 2023 Analysis.” - Country Music Association (CMA) and Academy of Country Music (ACM) annual diversity reports. - Interview with former U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn, Fox News, October 5, 2026. - Industry comments from radio consultant Keith Hill, originally reported by Billboard, 2018.