From Beyoncé's new country album to Shania headlining Glastonbury, country music is reaching new heights of popularity. Who are the women leading the charge, who are the icons who inspired them, and how many barriers are still left to be broken?
We speak to one of its biggest female stars, Carly Pearce, who went from working at Dollywood aged 16 to becoming a Grammy and three-time Country Music Association winner.
We explore the sexism still facing women in the industry as female singers remain dramatically underrepresented on US country radio, charts and awards. We also discuss the growth of the genre in the UK, why it's inspired countless films and TV shows, and its history and icons from Dolly Parton and Linda Martell to Patsy Cline.
We're joined by Marissa Moss, author of Her Country; Beverly Keel, co-founder of Change The Conversation; Alex Hannaby, Head of UK at Big Machine; Simeon Hammond Dallas, singer-songwriter; Helen Brown, arts journalist; Professor Francesca Royster, author of Black Country Music; Nicole Taylor, screenwriter; and Zoe Hodges, music journalist.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Lucy Wai Editor: Louise Corley
Misogyny in the music industry, author Lisa St Aubin de Terán, cervical smears
Fasting and women, Conscription, Cuteness exhibition
Long Covid, Professor Jo Phoenix tribunal victory, Paying children for chores
Lauren Sequeira, Rape misconceptions, Singer Julia Bullock
Long Covid, Holocaust Memorial Day, Princess Superstar
Claire Waxman, Victims' Bill, China birth rate, D-Mer Study, Academy Award nominations
Professor Jo Phoenix tribunal victory, Actor Sarah Greene
DJ Paulette, Abortion, Vinted co-founder, Childcare
Weekend Woman's Hour: Jodie Comer, Vicky McClure, Jameela Jamil
Vicky McClure, Mean Girls, Women’s Health Strategy update
Jodie Comer, Olivia Attwood, Da'Vine Joy Randolph
Jameela Jamil, Claudia Winkleman, Abortion buffer zones, Female Israel border soldiers
Having more children after 40, Gladiators, Nikki Hayley profile
Domestic abuse and brain injury, Calvin Klein advert, Exhaustion
Weekend Woman’s Hour - Cush Jumbo, Spice Girls Stamp, Assisted Dying
Quarterlife crisis, Family Courts, Northern Soul
Zara Aleena's aunt, Spice Girls stamps, surge in scabies
Cosmetic surgery reviews, Speed dating, Bangladesh elections, Assisted dying & palliative care
Midwife shortages, Dating at 81, Jackie Mag anniversary
Cush Jumbo, Church leader survivors, Exonerated sub-postmistress
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