Country music singers support Kelsea Ballerini and Kacey Musgraves' responses to a sexist tweet
'We cannot play two females back to back'
Last updated 11th May 2021
Late last week, Kelsea Ballerini and Kacey Musgraves spotted a (now deleted) tweet from an American radio station which read, 'We cannot play two females back to back'. In response to this tweet, Kelsea decided to reply with a statement on Instagram, and it's receiving support from around the industry.
Kelsea told her fans in statement, 'To all the ladies that bust their asses to have half the opportunities that men do, I'm really sorry that in 2020, after YEARS of conversation of equal play, there are still some companies that make their stations play by these rules. It's unfair and it's incredibly disappointing.'
The 'Homecoming Queen' continued in her caption, 'I say this having been one of the few women who have been really embraced by country radio and having watched some of the bigger networks (and some of my friends that are pd’s and high up) make real changes in their programming to make it look more balanced. I am grateful. BUT. there is still inequality in airplay for women.
'And tweets like this prove it. And it’s my job to say it out loud and post about it, because of the girls moving to Nashville ( or wherever) that are ready to outrun and outwork and outplay everyone. They deserve to know that they have the same shot as the guys moving here to do the same. Country music- We have to fix this. For us and for them. How do we do it? Let’s talk. (Also- don’t lash out at this station, they are playing by rules set for them from their higher ups 😞)'. sic
Since publicly responding to the tweet, Kelsea has been backed by a number of high-profile singers. Kelsea's post was liked by Carrie Underwood and OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder commented saying, 'This is insane !!!!!! This has to change immediately'. Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild also replied, 'Unbelievable. CHANGE is coming!!!!!!!'.
Kelsea responded to the tweet directly receiving more than 3K likes, saying, 'AlEXA PLAY LBT LADY A CARRIE MIRANDA KACEY CARLY GABBY MAREN INGRID RUNAWAY JUNE M&T LAUREN. ALL IN A ROW.' sic
In a separate response to the radio station's tweet, Kacey Musgraves said, 'Smells like white male bullsh*t and why LONG ago I decided they cannot stop me. ✌🏼, ' sic she continued in another tweet, 'And yet, they can play 18 dudes who sound exactly the same back to back. Makes total sense.'
Kacey's tweet received a number of responses, one replied, 'Your success is in spite of this pathetic craziness. 🌟🦋', with another saying, 'GO OFF SIS! don’t wanna be a part of the good ol’ boys club!'.
It even received response from the radio station saying, 'You are my favorite artist Kacey. I always pull for you when a new single comes out. Your music has meaning. I am not kissing up. Just speaking truth.' sic