Maren Morris recently voiced her concerns about the issues plaguing the country music industry during an interview on the New York Times podcast.
Known for her hit song 'The Middle', Morris spoke about her decision to step back from the genre she once adored. Citing the "Trump years" as a turning point, Morris highlighted the bigotry and deep-rooted prejudices present within the country music sphere.
Morris commented on the noticeable lack of representation for women and people of color, stating, "When I zoomed out, just in looking at cold, hard facts, numbers stats...[I realized] this is getting significantly worse each year for people on the margins, women." She added, emphasizing the overwhelming dominance of "White men" in the industry.
In a thought-provoking moment, Morris questioned the female-dominated audience of country music, pondering if there's a sense of "internal misogyny" at play. With women making up the bulk of ticket and merchandise sales, the singer wondered why the industry wasn't more reflective of its diverse fan base.
Drawing attention to hit tracks like Jason Aldean's 'Try That in a Small Town' and Oliver Anthony's 'Rich Men North of Richmond', Morris spoke about how these songs portray country music as being caught up in cultural and political warfare.
Describing the genre's deep ties to "overt hypermasculinity" and "Whiteness," she remarked on the surge of "hatefulness" she perceives in recent years.
However, Morris was quick to clarify that her decision wasn't an outright rejection of country music. "I think it's a little bit hyperbolic to be like she's ‘left country music,' because that's ridiculous. But I certainly can’t participate in a lot of it," she stated, emphasizing her love for living in Nashville.
The singer's grievances are specifically with the industry, not its fans. "I’m not shutting off fans of country music. Or that’s not my intention. It’s just the music industry that I have to walk away, a few factions, from," she explained.
Morris, who has always been a vocal advocate for inclusivity, mentioned her joy in performing for a "diverse, accepting, and loving" audience in New York City. Her goal is to reach "progressive listeners" across all genres, creating a space where "all are welcome."
Earlier this year, Morris made headlines for her defiant stance on Tennessee's ban on drag shows near schools. Addressing the ban during a pro-LGBTQ concert, she stated, "And yes, I introduced my son to some drag queens today, so Tennessee, f***ing arrest me." Such bold remarks earned her praise from various liberal media outlets.
