A Word: Black Country Renaissance

Beyoncé has announced that the second act of Renaissance will be a
country album. “Cowboy Carter” is set for release at the end of
March, Women’s History Month. Beyoncé has already made history as
the first Black woman to top the country charts with “Texas Hold
‘Em,” and recently received Dolly Parton’s blessing to cover her
classic song, Jolene.  While Beyoncé may seem to be breaking
new ground, much of country music has always been rooted in African
American culture, and Black women have been singing country for
decades. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by
DePaul University Professor Francesca Royster, the author of Black
Country Music: Listening for Revolutions. They talk about the
history of Black women in country music, the racial tension that
has kept many African American fans away from the genre, and
whether this moment represents a new era for Black country
artists.  Guest: Professor Francesca Royster, author of Black
Country Music: Listening for Revolutions Podcast production by
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