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
Mica Paris, Is Facebook dangerous for kids? Regretting your tattoos
Imelda Staunton on depicting Queen Elizabeth II
The future of embryo research, Ofsted inspections, British Gymnastics' complaints procedure
Cancer during pregnancy, Israel-Gaza, Wedding dresses
Ruth Perry's sister, City Girl in Nature, Caring for a spouse, The politics of Christmas presents
Ruth Perry's sister Julia Waters, America Ferrera, 'Stuffed'
Conductor Marin Alsop, actor Diana Quick and a campaign to protect domestic abuse victims
Julianne Moore, Dame Mary Berry, Prevalence of forced sterilisation
Women's Football, Head of Ofcom, The politics of Christmas presents
Stella Creasy MP, Living with one breast, City Girl in Nature
Weekend Woman's Hour: Emily Blunt, Stammering, Long-distance friendships, Maria Callas' legacy
Director Adura Onashile, Grieving and Christmas Shopping, Maria Callas's Centenary
Emily Blunt, Pathologist-novelist, Baby formula, Short marriages
British Gymnastics and safeguarding, Long-distance friendships, Myha’la, Hunters, Hockey kits
Parenting a child with a stammer, EHRC Chair Baroness Falkner, Ukrainian chess player Kamila Hryshchenko
Dame Harriet Walter, Runner Eilish McColgan, Post-mastectomy bras
Weekend Woman's Hour: Sharon Osbourne, Jodie Whittaker and Outgoing Chief Inspectorate of Ofsted, Amanda Spielman
Sharon Osbourne, Shani Dhanda, Nurses and their mental health
Jodie Whittaker, Ofsted Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman
Deepfake pornography, Professor Yvonne Doyle – lessons from the pandemic, Pianist Chloe Flower
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