Michael J.

Michael J.

Michael J is keeping you in touch everywhere you find Country music: on the air, on-line and with the iHeartRadio app! If it's happening in...Full Bio

 

Country Music Women led by Kalie Shorr Sing for Change. "Time's Up"

Two years ago I came across an artist who’s song “Fight Like a Girl” made my heart race.

I had to know more about this Kalie Shorr and why was I the only person in all of Country radio who knew of her.

I literally sat my boss, Meg Stevens, a radio VP of programming, down and played her F.LA.G. (Fight Like A Girl) and then for anyone else who would listen I did the same, ON and OFF the air!

I met Kalie through social media and weeks later when she was in D.C. for a friend’s wedding, she came to the station to thank me and came on my show.

Months later, the same thing happened to me again. I heard a somg called “Burn The Bed’ from another new artist Candi Carpenter .

Just like with Kalie, instant chills . I played the song on air and it became a #1 request every night for weeks.

Ironically, Candi and Kalie, two hard working, super talented, new artists in Nashville didn’t know one another until one night they met and my enthusiasm about each of their songs instantly gave them, what they thought at the time was, one thing in common.

Turned out, I’m the least of the commonalities. They are two of a quickly growing group of woman who are following their muse and arriving in Nashville to pursue the coveted stage to open their collective musical hearts to the world of Country music fans.

Kalie has led a weekly Monday night guitar pull for ladies only at the The Listening Room in Nashville giving women the chance to have their songs heard.

As a social undercurrent has turned to headlines about sexual harrassment and female empowerment, Oprah Winfrey used the opportunity recently at an awards show to speak out about female mistreatment in Hollywood and around the World.

Kalie was listening. She turned Oprah’s words “Times Up” into an anthem.

When Kalie Shorr called up 22 other passionate female voices to join her in song and video, they couldn’t get to the session fast enough.

Kalie’s words and the statement made by a growing crowd of women, dressed in black and marching together with the symbolism of walking the straight line after ‘breaking though’ a restricted fenced roadway is not lost on anyone. Years of frustration and denial to equal access at the hands of men is represented in this walk and the anticipation is palpable.

Watch this.

Then watch it again.

I think you’ll agree with Kalie Shorr. Just like the song, I believe the wait for radio airplay and media exposure for young women in Country music is just like Kalie and Candie , “Time’s Up” #chillbumpsLadies Chillbumps!

Michael J


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