Tag: cmt

Kick It Up With the Year of the Cowgirl

August 7, 2024

It’s official: Spotify is declaring 2024 the Year of the Cowgirl. In culture, we are seeing celebs, influencers, and others don western boots and flat, wide-brimmed hats as they emulate the style of the cowgirl. And music is following suit: Earlier this year, Beyoncé embraced her country side with the release of COWBOY CARTER, and curated collections like Spotify’s daylist “Country Love Songs Coastal Cowgirl” are becoming listener favorites.

In June, we celebrated country artists from Spotify House at CMA Fest for the fifth year in a row with three days of nonstop country performances by more than 35 artists. Now, we are continuing the fun with a cowgirl focus. 

Country rising

Over the last five years, country music’s popularity on Spotify has grown immensely, with a nearly 110% increase in U.S. streams during that time. One trend that quickly picked up steam last year is coastal cowgirl (think slow-paced country living meets sun-soaked coastal dreaminess), and it continues to make waves on Spotify, along with playlists like “neon cowgirl,” which saw more than a 100% increase in streams in 2024.

This year, more than 220,000 user-generated “cowgirl” playlists have been created on Spotify globally. Some of the top tracks added to these playlists include “Jolene” by Dolly Parton, “Cowgirls (feat. ERNEST)” by Morgan Wallen, “Wide Open Spaces” by The Chicks, “Tennessee Orange” by Megan Moroney, and “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker. Some of the top artists added to user-generated “cowgirl” playlists on Spotify include Beyoncé, Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, and Taylor Swift.

A destination perfect for any cowgirl

To celebrate the Year of the Cowgirl, Spotify created a one-stop on-platform destination. Here, listeners can find playlists like Hot Country, bespoke mixes like Line Dancing Country, podcasts like God’s Country, and even audiobook recommendations like Her Christmas Cowboy by Marie Richards. From tried-and-true favorites to new releases, this hub will give country music fans everything they want as they celebrate the Year of the Cowgirl.

Two-stepping in LA

On August 7, influencers gathered in Los Angeles at the Desert 5 Spot to toast the Year of the Cowgirl with Spotify. Country stars Carly Pearce and Carter Faith performed, with a DJ set by Brandi Cyrus. Attendees had the chance to bring their cowgirl aesthetic to life with unique accessories like personalized cowgirl hats and a branded charm bar.

Country Newcomer Lainey Wilson Racks Up Accolades and Releases an Enhanced Album on Spotify

November 2, 2022

This isn’t Lainey Wilson’s first rodeo. Though, in fact, she’s set to perform at this year’s National Finals Rodeo in December. But back to the music—the country star has been appearing on stages since she was a kid and released her first album when she was only 22.

With a sound that blends throwback country and a bit of modern flare, Lainey’s no stranger to the charts, and she’s seen her name stamped across a series of accolades and nominations. She’s a six-time Country Music Award (CMA) nominee and was crowned this year’s New Female of the Year by the Academy of Country Music (ACM). She’s also “Breakout Artist of the Year” for Country Music Television (CMT).

Fans fell in love with her track “Things A Man Oughta Know,” which landed her her first number one and was ACM’s 2022 Song of the Year. She also collaborated with country star Cole Swindell in his song “Never Say Never,” which has racked up more than 31 million listens on Spotify.

Lainey is releasing her new album, Bell Bottom Country, with an enhanced version where fans can hear Lainey talking through the creation of her album, working with her producer, Jay Joyce, and more. For the Record caught up with the Louisiana native to learn more about what fans can expect from the release.

What’s something you want fans to know about the creation of your new album, Bell Bottom Country?

I want fans to know how much of a labor of love this project was. Before these songs were written, they were experiences and stories. Before these songs were recorded, they were vulnerable, raw words and melodies that my cowriters and I recorded as rough demos, or even just voice memos on our phones. Before the final versions on my record existed, the voice memos and demos were reimagined and produced by my mad scientist of a producer, Jay Joyce, who was leading a group of incredible musicians. I want fans to know that a lot of people put their hearts into this record, and that’s why it turned out to be so special. I’m so proud to be surrounded by people who give me the freedom and support to do my thing. Acceptance is a special feeling. I hope they feel some of that when they’re listening to this record.

You’ve had a stellar year and now you’re the most-nominated artist at the upcoming CMA Awards. Was there a particular nomination you were most surprised or excited by?

Well the thing I’m most surprised about is being the most-nominated artist. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. But after that, I would say I’m most surprised about the Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year nominations. In my opinion, Album of the Year is the most overarching, highly regarded award since it isn’t gender dependent and it recognizes so many creatives’ contributions to the project. 

Do you have a process or any rituals around songwriting? What about recording? 

I’ve got a little “hook book” note I keep on my phone that is just a running list of song ideas. I usually run through a couple ideas in my hook book at the beginning of a cowrite, unless one of the other writers comes in with a specific idea. When we get into the studio, I don’t really have any rituals for recording days. But on days I’m putting down vocals, I do some vocal warm-ups and sip some whiskey to loosen up. 

How was it working with Spotify on the Enhanced Album?

Getting to work with Spotify to turn this into an Enhanced Album was just a thick layer of icing on the cake. I feel like I’m giving y’all a project that’s a lot to digest in the best way, so it’s awesome that Spotify’s Enhanced Album allowed me to explain some of it to y’all as you listen. 

What’s a piece of advice you have for other up-and-coming artists?

Don’t do it!! Ha ha—just kidding. Kind of. I would say, make sure you can’t imagine yourself doing anything else. If you can, you might want to go do that. It’s been a hard journey and a lot of work, but if you love it as much as I do, it’s all worth it. 

What’s next for you?

I’ve got the CMA Awards coming up. Then we’ve got the Yellowstone Season 5 premiere a few days after that. Crazy! I’ll be in the first episode of the season airing November 13. We’ve also got a string of shows out west in mid-November, followed by my first week off since January to celebrate Thanksgiving, and we’ll then head to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo! Then we blink a few times, celebrate the holidays, and make our way back out west to start my first headline tour in Spokane, Washington, on January 4! 

 

Give Lainey’s new enhanced album a listen here.