Linda Martell, one of the pioneers for Black acts in country music and the first Black woman to perform solo at the Grand Ole Opry, will be honored at the 2021 CMT Music Awards.
But Martell dealt with major hardships. She experienced racism while performing onstage and was shunned by the music industry as a mainstream country performer. Her record label shelved her album and she was prohibited from finding a new deal.
“No matter how good your performance was, no matter how well your record was doing, the color of the skin stopped you from working in a lot of great places,” Martell said in the 2005 documentary “Waiting in the Wings.” “A lot of the shows that I did was through a lot of pain. They loved to use the N-word , ‘Go back where you belong. You don’t need to sing our kind of music.’ You’re trying to entertain and be called a name very, very loudly in a club or in an arena and try to get through the song without crying. You wonder how anybody can really be that cruel,” she continued. “A woman of color, if you go into country music — if the record stations don’t play you, you’re not going anywhere. Brace yourself.
Martell eventually left country music, though her name — and legacy — has come to light recently. Palmer, who had some success on the country charts with her 2007 debut, titled her Apple Music podcastafter Martell’s album, and Guyton says her recent success could not have happened if Martell hadn’t open doors for Black women in country music.
Martell’s granddaughter Marquia Thompson, who is a filmmaker, recently launched a fundraiser for a documentary about the singer’s life and career.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2021 CMT Music Awards: H.E.R., Chris Stapleton and More to PerformH.E.R., Chris Stapleton and more will hit the stage at the 2021 CMT Music Awards.
Read more »
‘Black Widow’ Continues Marvel’s Use of Expanded Aspect Ratio in ImaxImax’s upcoming presentations of Marvel’s Black Widow will feature 22 minutes of select scenes in an expanded aspect ratio, meaning that those sequences will fill the entire Imax screen…
Read more »
Black Pumas Announce 2021-2022 TourTour includes four nights at Brooklyn Steel and sets at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits
Read more »
Shopping at Noah With Everyone’s Favorite Menswear Dude, Chris BlackTag along as one Vogue editor shops with fashion's 'favorite menswear dude'
Read more »
Rihanna Wore a Black Lingerie Camisole and Shorts to Go OutWhy not wear PJs to Delilah?
Read more »
Allyson Felix On the Tokyo Olympics, Naomi Osaka, and 'Taking Space' as a Black Female Athlete'I have to pay attention to what I need and take space when I need it, and understand that I'm up against a lot.' allysonfelix on the TokyoOlympics, Naomi Osaka, and the importance of mental health.
Read more »